Tsukuba Wanwan Land

Tsukuba Wanwan Land is celebrating its 29th anniversary in 2025, placing its establishment around 1996. Located at the foot of Mount Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, this dog-themed park has become one of Japan's largest facilities dedicated to canine enthusiasts. The name "Wanwan" derives from the Japanese onomatopoeia for a dog's bark, equivalent to "woof woof" in English.

The park's most distinctive landmark is Mokkun, the world's largest wooden dog-shaped observation tower, standing 11 meters tall. This structure offers a 360-degree panoramic view extending all the way to Mount Tsukuba. The architectural feature serves both as an iconic symbol and a functional viewing platform for visitors exploring the surrounding natural landscape.

The facility houses approximately 1,000 dogs representing 90 breeds and 70 cats from 40 breeds. Visitors can interact directly with the animals through several programs. The Fureai Hiroba (petting area) allows free play with dogs, while the Dog Rental service enables guests to walk their chosen dog for 20 minutes at an additional cost of approximately 1,000 yen. The Puppy Exhibition Hall displays newborn puppies born at the facility, offering close viewing opportunities. The Wanwan Stage features trained dogs performing choreographed shows including ring toss, jump rope, and acrobatic routines. The park also includes a dedicated cat area, though smaller in scale than the canine sections.

Admission costs 2,000 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children aged 3 to elementary school. Children under 3 enter free, and seniors aged 65 and over pay 1,000 yen. The park operates from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM from March to October, and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM from November to February, with irregular closure days.

Transportation from Tokyo involves taking the Tsukuba Express from Akihabara Station to Tsukuba Station, then boarding the Tsukuba Bus Northern Shuttle for approximately 45 minutes. Alternatively, visitors can take the Kantetsu Bus from JR Tsuchiura Station, requiring about 40 minutes. By car, the journey takes 35 minutes from the Tsuchiura-Kita Interchange on the Joban Expressway. The park is located at 579 Numata, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki (postal code 300-4353).