Kuragaike Park
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Kuragaike Park is a vast park in Toyota with a range of family-friendly outdoor activities. The sweeping view of the area makes it an ideal place to begin exploring the city.
Overlooking the park is the Kuragaike Parking Area, a highway rest stop along the Tokai Kanjo Expressway. Two of the area’s tallest mountains, Mt. Sanage in Toyota and Mt. Rokusho in the Matsudaira area, are visible from the parking area’s wheelchair-accessible observation deck. Toyota Stadium is also visible from there, and on a clear day it is possible to see all the way to Nagoya. The observation deck is particularly good for stargazing and watching fireworks at night.
The park gets its name from Kuragaike Pond, which sits roughly in the middle of the park and features koi carp, waterfowl, and paddle boats. Other outdoor activities include a free zoo and an old train from the Nagoya Railroad (commonly known as Meitetsu), which has been restored and set up in the park. There is also a children’s play area and botanic gardens. Just beside the park is Toyota Kuragaike Commemorative Hall, a museum dedicated to the early history of Toyota Motor Corporation. The park is an excellent spot for picnics and is particularly popular in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
The park is accessible by car from the Nagoya-bound side of the highway and by bus from Toyotashi Station.
Snow Peak
The park has a restaurant and shop run by Snow Peak, an outdoor apparel brand. Further down the hill, in the heart of the park, are five rectangular mobile bungalows designed by Kuma Kengo (b. 1954), the architect behind Tokyo’s National Stadium and French cultural center FRAC Marseilles. Kuma created these “Jyubako” (“living boxes”) in collaboration with Snow Peak, and the trailers are available to rent for luxury accommodation in the park. There is also a regular campground nearby, and visitors can rent tents and camping equipment from the Snow Peak store.
Forest Adventure TOYOTA KURAGAIKE
This adventure park allows you to walk among the forest canopy of Kuragaike Park through four different courses. Cross from one tree to the next connected to a safety line in Courses 1 through 3 with a thrilling zoom across Kuragaike Pond via zip cord for Course 4.
Courses are designed for anyone—children over 110 cm in height to the elderly—to enjoy!
Annual Events
Free Transportation on Children’s Day (May 5)
On Children’s Day, all transportation at Kuragaike Park is available free of charge. Visitors can ride the park shuttle bus, park train, and boats (no charge for up to 30 min.) for free. There may be a limit on the number of people.
Play Park Experience Events (Irregularly Scheduled)
In Toyota City, various events are held as part of the efforts to build and improve the play park (adventure playground) in Kuragaike Park. The motto of this play area for children is “free and self-directed play,” and seeks to enrich children’s experiences growing up.
Basic Information
| Address | 〒471-0002 714-5 Hozawa, Yanami-cho, Toyota-shi |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free (There is a fee for the boats and the park train that runs on the grounds.) |
| Business hours | 9:00 am—5:00 pm Notes: • Zoo Opening Hours: 10:00 am—4:30 pm • Petting Zoo Opening Hours: 1:10 pm—2:50 pm |
| Parking | Park parking lot Passenger vehicles: 826 spaces, large vehicles: 20 spaces, handicapped vehicles: 22 spaces Nearby rest stop: Passenger vehicles: 28 spaces, large vehicles: 4 spaces Note: • Large vehicles (tour buses and microbuses) available weekdays only (reservation required). |
| Closed | Dec 29—Dec 31 Note: • Botanical Garden & Petting Zoo: Mon |
| Directions by public transportation | Toyota-shi Sta. (Meitetsu Toyota Line/Meitetsu Mikawa Line) - (Meitetsu Bus Yanami Line) - alight at Kuragaike Koen-mae bus stop |
| Directions by car | Tokai-Kanjo Expressway Inner Loop Kuragaike Parking Area (Highway Oasis) → Kuragaike Park Tokai-Kanjo Expressway Outer Loop Kuragaike Smart Interchange (ETC-equipped vehicles only) → Kuragaike Park Tokai-Kanjo Expressway Matsudaira or Kanpachi Interchange to surface streets → Kuragaike Park |
Area Information
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