【Kuragaike Park】A Relaxing Destination in Toyota City Where Nature and Play Come Together

A “Zero-Distance” Healing Time with Free-Spirited Animals

The zoo area is a small, relaxing spot that you can enjoy freely with no admission fee.

About 37 species and 242 animals—including native Japanese horses, monkeys, deer, wallabies, mini pigs, and the rare red-crowned crane—are kept here. Informational panels created by the caretakers introduce each animal’s personality and behavior through unique and engaging stories, reflecting the deep affection they have for the animals.

At the “Animal Interaction Plaza,” held mainly on weekends, visitors can touch animals such as guinea pigs and goats. Depending on the time, you can experience life up close at “zero distance” (ticket required). At the nearby tourist farm, you’ll find soothing scenes of Kiso horses and sheep leisurely grazing, creating a relaxing space for families, couples, and solo visitors alike.

You can reach the pasture and open areas on foot while enjoying a pleasant walk. The paved pathways are designed with accessibility in mind, making it safe and comfortable for visitors using strollers or wheelchairs.

A Short Escape into Nature—Where City and Outdoors Meet

The park’s camping field is a city-style outdoor space developed by Snow Peak, one of Japan’s leading outdoor brands. At the shop, you can browse a wide range of camping gear and apparel, and consult with knowledgeable staff, making it enjoyable for both beginners and experienced campers.

At the adjacent “Snow Peak Cafe,” you can enjoy lunch and café menus made with local ingredients on a terrace overlooking greenery and open skies. For overnight stays, there are various options including “Wood Deck Camping,” which requires no equipment, and glamping in the mobile house “JYUBAKO,” designed by architect Kengo Kuma. All accommodations are equipped with air conditioning, toilets, and showers, ensuring a comfortable stay. Staff also assist with setup and cleanup, making it easy even for first-time campers.

The “Camping Office” also allows you to hold meetings or work remotely in a natural environment. This unique setting can spark fresh ideas and insights that are hard to find in a typical office.

Directly connected to Kuragaike PA on the Tokai-Kanjo Expressway and easily accessible from central Toyota City, this location offers the perfect balance between nature and urban convenience. Combined with park walks and the zoo, it creates an ideal “short getaway” destination where you can casually experience outdoor life as part of your everyday routine.

Step Into Adventure—Feel the Pulse of the Forest

Forest Adventure is a full-scale athletic facility where you can enjoy treetop adventures by crossing cables and wooden bridges suspended among the trees.

There are 32 different activities across four courses. The final course features a zip line that crosses over a pond—the first of its kind in the Tokai region. Sliding down a 50-meter wire from about 12 meters above ground gives you the exhilarating sensation of flying like a bird. Children from 110 cm in height can participate, making it a perfect adventure for families. From June to November, a fine mist is generated throughout the course, creating a magical experience as if exploring above a sea of clouds, while also helping to cool the intense summer heat.

Surrounding the area is a relaxing space that blends nature and recreation. At the lakeside terrace, you can unwind while watching trees sway in the breeze and water birds drift by. From spring to autumn, pedal boats and rowboats are available for fun on the water. There are also grassy areas, a playhouse with a large roof, and various indoor play equipment, ensuring that children can enjoy themselves even on rainy days.

A “Hometown” in the City Painted by the Colors of the Seasons

“Shiki no Furusato” is a vibrant flower zone where seasonal plants are lovingly cultivated by local volunteers.

Alongside 40 linden trees in front of the British Pavilion, flowers such as daffodils, red campion, and cherry sage bloom in succession from spring through winter, creating a tranquil and ever-changing landscape throughout the year.

Adjacent to the British Garden, you can enjoy an elegant tea time at Western-style gazebos and benches. The garden’s design changes with each visit, thanks to the dedicated efforts of volunteers who carefully select, plant, and maintain the flowers. Knowing the care behind its upkeep makes the experience even more meaningful.

Nearby, “Cherry Sage Hill” offers a scenic viewpoint. Seasonal flowers such as nemophila, lupines, and tulips in spring, hollyhocks and cherry sage in summer, and Iceland poppies in winter bloom in succession, captivating visitors year-round.

The walking paths within the park naturally connect to the tourist farm, British Garden, and playhouse, making them enjoyable as part of a larger strolling route. The gentle hills add variety to the walk, while the scenery changes beautifully with each season and weather condition.