Opening hours, fees and event dates change. Before you go, please confirm the latest details on each facility's or organizer's official information.
A small “experience” facility at the foot of Hachikokuyama
“Hachikokuyama Taiken-no-Sato” is a hands-on learning facility at the foot of Hachikokuyama Woods. Its theme is “the relationship between people and the nature of the Sayama Hills.” It displays finds from the Jomon-period “Shimoyakebe site” discovered nearby, so you can learn how people of long ago lived alongside nature. After walking Hachikokuyama, said to be Totoro's setting, you can learn the forest's history — paired with a stroll, it's a place full of discoveries for children and adults alike.
Casual “little experiences” and full “proper experiences”
Popular with children are the “little experiences” you can join anytime. With content suited to the month's season, like crafts using acorns and leaves, even small children can enjoy them easily. If you want to engage more deeply, there are “proper experiences”: serious hands-on learning like making Jomon pottery, leatherwork and plant dyeing, plus events such as birdwatching and plant-observation walks (many of these require reservations, so check in advance).
- Location: at the foot of Hachikokuyama Woods (Suwa-cho, Higashimurayama). Free admission.
- Opening hours as a guide: 9:30–17:00. Check the closed days and event schedule.
- Little experiences: seasonal crafts and the like you can join without a reservation (changes daily; content varies).
- Proper experiences: making Jomon pottery, leatherwork, plant dyeing, nature-observation walks and more (many are reservation-only).
Opening hours, closed days, the content of the experience programs and whether reservations are needed change by season and period. The “proper experiences” in particular are often reservation- and capacity-limited, so check the facility's official information for the latest before you go.
Right next to Taiken-no-Sato is Hachikokuyama Woods. The forest said to be Totoro's primal landscape is introduced in this column too. Be sure to pair a stroll with the experience.
See Hachikokuyama Woods & Taiken-no-Sato →Read “Walking Ghibli's landscape (Hachikokuyama and Fuchi-no-mori)” →Back to Higashimurayama with kids — the complete play-spot guide →Sources