What other travelers are saying about Tateyama Wild Bird Forest
A 1990s era visitors center with lots of interactive displays and hands-on activities. Local crafts in the gift shop. A library corner full of Japanese nature books and magazines. And outside are extensive trails up the hill leading to beautiful observation points. Also, birds of you look carefully.
This is a bird sanctuary next to Awa Shrine. There is a natural history museum and activity hall above the parking lot. Coffee and ( in summer ) ice cream inside. Coffee is self service 100 yen. Corona may have affected availability.
Between the building and the trail up the mountain is an open grassy area ideal for picnics, active children, dogs who like to retrieve balls and frisbees, and so on. Ducks and their ducklings quack and sometimes venture outside their fenced in pond at the foot of the hill. A peacock spreads it's feathers and screaches. Frogs add their bullhorns to the chorus.
I happened to stop by while out for a drive. My first impression was that it looked like a local community center.
However, the director and staff were very friendly and talked to me about various things, and I had a really enjoyable and fulfilling time there.
There are also some great hiking trails, and they apparently hold various events depending on the season, so I'd like to come back just to see this place.
Tateyama Wild Bird Forest offers bird watching opportunities year-round. Summer is ideal for observing migratory birds such as grey-faced buzzards and lesser cuckoos, while winter visitors can spot thrushes and buzzards. The forest's diverse ecosystem means different species are active throughout the seasons, so the best time depends on which birds you're interested in seeing.
The sanctuary offers three trails of varying difficulty. The Family Hiking Course takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete over 1.9 km and is suitable for all ages. The Bird Watching Course requires about 2 hours for 2.7 km, while the Green Shower Course is the longest at 3.4 km and takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. You can choose based on your fitness level and available time.
No, admission to Tateyama Wild Bird Forest is completely free. However, visitors may choose to make purchases at the gift shop or participate in hand-craft experiences, which may have separate fees.
The sanctuary includes an office building with a gift shop, an exhibition room showcasing the local forest environment, a digital corner with information, and a hand-craft experience area. Outdoor facilities include a picnic area, observation towers for wildlife viewing, and the three hiking trails. The Fureaikan entrance area features bird sound displays to help visitors learn about different species.
The sanctuary is located at 553 Daijingu, Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture. While the area is served by trains and buses to the Tateyama region, specific transit routes vary depending on your starting point. It is recommended to consult local transportation information or contact the facility at 0470-28-0166 (Japanese only) for detailed directions from the nearest major station. Having a car is convenient, as the sanctuary is accessible via local roads in the Tateyama area.
