Machida Squirrel Garden

In short

Machida Squirrel Garden is a small zoo located next to Yakushi-ike Park in Machida City. About 200 Pallas's squirrels are kept free-range in a mortar-shaped outdoor enclosure, allowing visitors to see them running around close by. It opened in December 1988 as a workplace for people with disabilities, and the users of the facility continue to support the garden today.

• ​Free-range Squirrel Area​​: Squirrels run around energetically in the outdoor enclosure of about 2,500 square meters surrounded by a special fence
• ​Feeding Seeds​​: Visitors can feed seeds to the squirrels for a fee, and some friendly squirrels will eat straight from your hand
• ​Small Animals​​: Guinea pigs, rabbits, tortoises, chipmunks, and prairie dogs also live here

History and Highlights

​Machida Squirrel Garden​ opened in December 1988. It was established by Machida City in response to the earnest wishes of parents seeking "workplaces for children with disabilities." It began as a vocational aid facility with the full cooperation of the "Squirrel Village" on Izu Oshima.

Today, facility users with disabilities work here under the continuous employment support type B system of the Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities Act. Their duties include cleaning before opening, bagging squirrel food, and selling feed. Opening and closing the doors at the entrance and exit of the free-range enclosure is also an important task handled by the users to prevent the squirrels from escaping.

The centerpiece of the park is the mortar-shaped outdoor enclosure covering about 2,500 square meters and surrounded by a special fence. Around 200 Pallas's squirrels are kept free-range here. Visitors can observe them running around energetically and eating food with charming gestures.

Tips for Visiting and Experiences

• ​Feeding Seeds to Squirrels​​: You can feed seeds to the squirrels for a fee. Some friendly squirrels will even eat seeds directly from your hand. Visitors may not bring their own feed.
• ​Petting Area and Small Animals​​: Guinea pigs, tortoises, rabbits, chipmunks, and prairie dogs also live here. On certain days, a "Petting Area" is held where you can interact with animals such as guinea pigs. On colder days, tortoises and others may be moved to a greenhouse and cannot be viewed.
• ​Nest Box Making and Other Events​​: Various events, such as nest box making workshops, are held. The squirrel garden also serves as a place to learn about the "importance of life" while spending time with small animals.

Tips for Exploring

From bus stop No. 21 at the North Exit of Machida Station, take the bus bound for Nozuta Shako via Hon-Machida or the bus bound for Tsurukawa Station, and get off at "Yakushi-ike." After getting off the bus, the garden is located ahead to your right. As there is no dedicated parking lot at the garden, please use the parking lot of the adjacent Yakushi-ike Park when arriving by car.

Long-sleeved shirts and long pants that you do not mind getting dirty are recommended. Pets are not allowed into the facility.

Yakushi Pond is located about 170 meters west-northwest from here. Machida Peony Garden is located about 770 meters to the northwest.