Machida Squirrel Garden!

One of the main highlight of my Japan 2014 Autumn Trip.

I had been wanting to visit this garden since I read about squirrel gardens in Japan via a FB link that my friend passed to me earlier this year. Actually it is more like a petting zoo for kids but who really cares about the name as long as it is fun to spend 1/2 day here!.

Machida Squirrel Garden Signboard

The petting zoo doesn't just have squirrels but also....

TONS of guinea pigs on standby alert for food... 

Bunnies!

Prairie dog that is posing in front of the camera!

Tortoise!

Interestingly enough - During cold weather, the petting zoo even prepare an indoor shelter for them!

Crawling slowly back into their indoor nest.... :P

Not forgetting the main highlight : -

Squirrel!!!

Squirrel eating away~~~~

Squirrels that roam freely within feeding pen and begging for food~~~

Squirrel that found walnut

Squirrel that jump onto you and look for food

Close up on the squirrel that jump onto one's leg.

Squirrel that is napping away...

Ignoring the rest of the world...

Totally ignoring....

While the hungry ones approach humans zesty.... 

They climb onto your glove in search for food....

And they come again! As long as you have food for them :)

Someone pour sunflower buffet for the squirrels and they went mad!!!

Even the toilets looks very cute indeed!

Hope this update is good for kids and adults that loves animals :)

Some Interesting Details to note

Estimated no. of free roaming squirrels within the feeding pen zone : 200

Type of squirrel roaming within feeding pen zone : Taiwan squirrels (Callosciurus erythraeus thaiwanensis - Link in Japanese]

Opening Hours of Machida Squirrel Garden :

• Oct to Mar -  10am to 4pm
• Apr to Sep (for Weekend and Public Holidays only) - 10 am to 5pm
• Closed on every Tuesday (However if the PH fall on Tuesday, the garden will close on the next day instead)
• Closed on 24/12 for Christmas
• Close from 27/12-2/1 for New Year celebration
• Closed on every 1st Tuesday to Friday (4 days) on June/September/December 

Admission :

• Kids (3 years old to 12 years old) - 200 yen 
• Adults (above 12 years old) - 400 yen
• Large group (above 20 pax), senior citizens (above 65 years old), handicapped
• Kids (3 years old to 12 years old) - 100 yen 
• Adults (above 12 years old) - 300 yen

Address : 195-0071 東京都町田市金井町733-1
Contact Tel: 042-734-1001
Original website in Japanese :Machida Risuen

Directions: From Tokyo, take a train to Machida Station (町田駅) via Odakyu line (小田急線). Journey from Shinjuku is about 30mins. After reaching Machida station, exit from the north (小田急町田駅北口). Walk straight for 50m until you see a bank (銀行) then turn left. 

Credits : Google map

You will see 1 alighting stops and 2 boarding stops. Look for bus stop no. 21 with bus no. 55 「本町田経由野津田車庫行（55系統）and 53 「鶴川駅行（53系統）」.Take either of the buses and alight at Yakushiike 「薬師池」。Bus journey is about 20mins. Walk straight on your right after alighting and you can see the park on the right side (across the road)。

To return to Tokyo, simply exit from the squirrel garden and turn left. The bus stop is just 1 traffic light away. :)

Good to note : Wheelchair accessible and pram friendly