“Machida Squirrel Garden” welcomes its 28th year this year and has been loved by the local people for many years.

It is known for being a “zoo that revives your soul” where you can interact with about 200 squirrels running freely, as well as other small animals including rabbits and guinea pigs.

The zoo was born in 1988 when there were not many places for disabled people to work. The city responded to parents strong requests to “create a place where disabled children can work” and began the project. The squirrels that were at the “Squirrel Garden” in Izu Oshima were moved, and “Machida Squirrel Garden” was born. Today, about 21 staff with disabilities work at the zoo.

The staff’s responsibilities vary, such as cleaning before the zoo opens, packaging the food to sell and selling it, and punching the tickets. The job of opening and closing the door that leads to the squirrel area is especially important. The Taiwanese squirrels are invasive alien species, and if one of them runs away, it must be caught as it could harm the ecosystem.

The great teamwork and the cheerfulness of the staff of the Machida Squirrel Garden may be one of the reasons why Machida Squirrel Garden has been a “healing trove” to many people.

Let me now introduce you to the lovely animals of the zoo.

A small squirrel zoo! “Squirrel Garden”

At the “squirrel garden,” you can interact with 200 squirrels running around freely and feed them. Don’t forget to wear gloves the staff will give you when you purchase food for the squirrels, as the squirrels have long nails and may jump on you. After purchasing the squirrels favorite food, sunflower seeds (¥100), it’s time to go on a little adventure.

The area with a circumference of 200m is filled with colorful houses the local children made and it’s as though you wandered into a fairy tail-like world.

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