Minami Alps Mura Yacho Koen (Minami Alps Wild Birds Park)

“Minami Alps Mura Yacho koen (Bird Park) is located just about 3 km north of soba restaurant “Osukuni,” in the central part of Hayakawa-cho.

Beyond the Yamasemi Bridge, there is a “another” world where over 100 spieces of wild birds and animals such as flying squirrels and Japanese serows are living.

(Note: So, of course, sometimes all the animals are hidden and you can’t find any of them. People who complain about it should go to a zoo!)

Here, humans are not the rulers. The priority is on the natural life of animals and birds! It should be an irresistible facility for true lovers of bird, animals, and insects.

Seasonal guided wildlife tours are offered, featuring bird watching, deer observation, firefly spotting, and more. These tours are not just for children; they are truly engaging and meaningful for adults, including professionals and researchers!

What makes this place truly attractive and authentic is the quality of the guides.

They are genuinely educated, passionately dedicated to the research, and full of love towards animals. They will tell you anything you want to know. They also know how to entertain people!

For example, during a bird observation tour, they anticipate the next actions of birds based on their facing direction, and let visitors observe birds in sync with their emotions! They also use bird calls -tools crafted from wood and screws – to provide a first-hand experience of communicating with birds!

Night hike to explore the dark forest is also recommended (for grown-ups).

Strolling through the forest in complete darkness can be truly delightful. Some people may think that night forests are “scary,” but if you have certain knowledge, it is not frightening at all.

Have you ever experienced the scent of the night forest?

Do you know the silence and sounds of the night forest?

Give it a try to a night forest tour!

This experience will enhance your understanding of wild animals and insects and will sharpen your senses.

Early summer’s recommendation is a fireflies viewing tour. Enter the forest a little before fireflies take flight, heading towards the Oshidori (mandarin duck) pond surrounded by trees. As the sun begins to set, wait for the appearance of fireflies accompanied by the chorus of tree frogs as background music. Immerse yourself in the dark forest aiming to be the first one in the group to find the small yet brilliant light of fireflies. The excitement that you may feel when the fireflies’ flight reaches its peak has a magical power to take you back to childhood.

Also, Wild Japanese Deer Survey Tour accompanied by the director, Mr. Nobumasa Onishi, which is conducted every month, is highly recommended.

Mr. Onishi, who has been researching Japanese deer for over 20 years, is not only capable of identifying individual deer but also understands what deer is thinking! This tour might even grant you the ability to understand the language of deer.

For the night tour, it is recommended to stay at the nearby “Healthy Misato,” an accommodation facility, converted from a school building, featuring hot springs.