Yes, feeding the squirrels is encouraged and is the main attraction. Visitors receive protective gloves upon entering the enclosed area and can purchase sunflower seeds for 100 yen per pack to feed the approximately 200 Taiwan squirrels that roam freely throughout the park. While the squirrels may climb on you during feeding, direct handling should be gentle as these are still wild animals.
Admission costs 400 yen for adults, 300 yen for senior citizens and people with disabilities, and 200 yen for children. The entry fee includes access to the entire 2,500-square-meter enclosed area and protective gloves for squirrel interaction. Animal feed is sold separately at 100 yen per packet for squirrel food and 100 yen per bowl for rabbit vegetables.
From Shinjuku, take the Odakyu Line to Machida Station (approximately 30 minutes). Exit from the North Exit and go to bus stop #21 in front of the POP building. Take the bus to Yakushi-ike stop (15-20 minutes), then it's a short walk to the garden at 733-1 Kanaimachi, Machida, Tokyo. The total journey takes about 1 hour from central Tokyo.
In addition to the Taiwan squirrels, the park houses chipmunks, guinea pigs, rabbits of various breeds, and giant tortoises. The rabbits are kept in separate hutches where you can feed them vegetables, and the friendly tortoises share the main enclosure with the squirrels. The park focuses on small, interactive animals that are safe for close human contact.
Yes, the park is family-friendly and particularly popular with children. The enclosed design ensures safety while allowing close animal encounters. Children pay a reduced admission of 200 yen and receive the same protective gloves as adults. The gentle nature of the animals and supervised environment make it an ideal educational experience for kids to learn about wildlife conservation.
Traveler reviews
A small place where u can feed and squirrels, guinea pigs, rabbits, and tortoise. NO petting them, so if u wanna pet cute animals, this is not the place. There's a big park beside it to chill, once you're done. Overall it's so-so. Kinda hot if u go in Summer.
I am sorry to say, but this made me tear up and very sad. I know that going somewhere to look at animals in enclosures is a shaky proposition at best. But this looked like a squirrel internment camp. There is nearly no shade, no natural water sources or little water holes, no leaves and nothing to hide behind. Also some of the squirrels seemed sick. They are very keen on getting the sunflower seeds and the staff is very keen on getting mittens and gloves on the patrons, still... There is a sign to be beware of eagles, but nearly no hiding places or trees.
I am sorry to have spent 500¥ on squirrel suffering. Yes, Animal Rights Activists. I know. I could have known. I probably knew.
I am sorry little ones.
It is recommended to go in the morning, especially right after the park opens. On weekends, many visitors arrive as soon as it opens, and after around 11 a.m., the squirrels are usually full and do not come to eat much food.
If you go right after opening time, many squirrels will come to eat. The same applies to the rabbits and guinea pigs.
When squirrels climb onto your body, their claws can hurt, so wearing long pants is recommended.
Payment is cash only. Admission is 300 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. A bag of feed costs 100 yen.
My partner and I came here on one of our first days in Tokyo and this place was such a highlight! If you're planning on visiting, be prepared for the squirrels to crawl all over you- it might be a good idea to wear heavier pants that you're not afraid of getting dirty. I absolutely loved how a lot of the gifts you could buy in the gift shop were designed by kids! Made everything we bought there feel so special.
So this was the next highlight that we wanted to engulf ourselves with. After doing research, we found out that this was run by loving adults and the community was helping support them in many ways. We were both so happy to visit this place that we wanted to take our time and purchase as many things as we could to help support the squirrel garden. I hoped it helped because we really enjoyed the mini zoo.
More about Machida Squirrel Garden, Tokyo from our blog
