A Jam-Packed Day Trip to Enjoy All Day in Machida! Savor Stunning Views × Delicious Food × Animal Encounters
About 40 minutes by train from Shinjuku. Just a short trip from central Tokyo, Machida City in Tokyo Prefecture is packed with diverse charms—rich nature, gourmet food, and history. In this article, we bring you a full day of indulgent fun in Machida alongside local talent Tamami Sakaguchi. Perfect for solo travelers, friends, couples, or families with kids. Make your next day off a full day of enjoyment in Machida!
Outline
Just 40 minutes from Shinjuku: nature and gourmet in one trip
▲ Onojijuku Satoyama Exchange Center
Machida is an area easily accessible from central Tokyo, just about 40 minutes by train from Shinjuku. It’s a town packed with diverse charms, including rich nature, culture, and heartwarming gourmet food.
In this article, we present a full-day, all-inclusive plan to enjoy Machida to the fullest, featuring local personality Tamami Sakaguchi, a native of Machida City, Tokyo. We introduce spots where you can experience what Machida has to offer, from interacting with cute animals to moments that connect you with the history of the satoyama landscape.
“Machida Walking Map”
Machida Squirrel Park｜Home to about 200 squirrels
First up is Machida’s signature spot, the Machida Squirrel Park. Inside, around 200 Taiwanese squirrels live (*), and you can enjoy watching them energetically scampering about up close.
Put on gloves and you can even try feeding them—sometimes they’ll even climb right up to your feet! When those fluffy bodies and big, round eyes gaze back at you, you’ll find yourself smiling naturally!
【Machida Squirrel Park Basic Information】(※)
| Facility Name | Machida Squirrel Park |
| Address | 1-733-1 Yakushidai, Machida City, Tokyo |
| Access | From Bus Stop 21 at the North Exit of Odakyu Machida Station, take the “Route 55 (via Honmachida to Nozuta Garage)” or “Route 53 (to Tsurukawa Station)” bus for about 20 minutes and get off at “Yakushiike” stop. |
| Admission | Children (ages 3 and up): ¥300 (tax included) Adults (junior high school students and older): ¥500 (tax included)*Cash only |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Closed | ・Every Tuesday (Open if Tuesday is a national holiday; closed the following weekday) ・First Tuesday through Friday of June, September, and December (for maintenance) ・December 27th to January 2nd (Year-end and New Year holidays) |
※Long sleeves and long pants are recommended for visiting the park.
※Please refrain from running or jumping inside the squirrel enclosure.
※Please refrain from shouting.
※Re-entry is not permitted.
※See “Machida Squirrel Park Official Website”
Get cute squirrel souvenirs!
After enjoying your time with the squirrels, head to the gift shop to browse for souvenirs. You’ll find an array of adorable squirrel goods, including plush squirrels, key chains, and shirts featuring the Machida Squirrel Park logo.
They make perfect gifts for children, small souvenirs for friends, or keepsakes for yourself.
Check out the short video here!
Onojijuku Satoyama Exchange Center｜A community hub reminiscent of a post town
Onojijuku Satoyama Exchange Center is a facility renovated from a traditional inn (hatago) that once stood in a corner of Onojijuku, a bustling post station during the Edo period.
Inside, you can enjoy local cuisine made with seasonal vegetables. Popular dishes include the simple, hearty “Onoji Udon” made with locally milled flour from Onoji for 650 yen (tax included) and the “Satoyama Croquette,” handmade by Onoji mothers, priced at 150 yen each (tax included) (*3).
In this space that evokes a sense of nostalgia, you can take a relaxing break during your travels.
※1: See “Machida City Official Website: Onojijuku Satoyama Exchange Center Business Information Page”
※2: Refers to inns or ryokan
※3: See “Machida City Official Website: Onojijuku Satoyama Exchange Center Exchange Center Dining and Shopping Page”
【Basic Information on Onojijuku Satoyama Exchange Center】(※)
| Facility Name | Onojijuku Satoyama Exchange Center |
| Address | 888-1 Onoji-cho, Machida-shi, Tokyo |
| Access | 【Access from Machida Station (all lines)】(Travel time: approx. 27 min) Take the bus bound for “Tsurukawa Station via Zushi/Gotanda” from Machida Bus Center, Platform 14, and get off at “Ono Shrine Mae” 【Access from Tsurukawa Station (Odakyu Line)】(Travel time: approx. 15 min) From Tsurukawa Station North Exit, Board Bus No. 6 bound for “Tama Center Station via Onoji/Aokiba Park” or “Machida Bus Center via Zushi/Gotanda”, and get off at “Ono Shrine Mae” 【Access from Tama Center Station on various lines】(Travel time: approx. 15 min) From Tama Center Station South Exit, Board the bus at Platform 10 for “Onoji/Aokiba Park via Tsurukawa Station” Get off at “Ono Shrine Mae” |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Closed | December 29 – January 3 |
※See “Machida City Official Website: Onojijuku Satoyama Exchange Center”
※Bus service is limited. Please check the timetable before traveling.
Experience Machida’s Seasonal Flavors! Local Products Sales Corner
The “Local Products Sales Corner” inside the facility sells fresh locally grown vegetables and fruits, as well as works by artisans residing in Onoji (*).
On weekends and holidays, freshly harvested vegetables grown by Onoji farmers are lined up in abundance (*). It’s recommended for those seeking seasonal flavors or wishing to purchase art as a travel souvenir.
*Refer to “Machida City Official Website”
Check out the short video here!
Machida Yakushiike Park Shikisai no Mori West Garden｜A park where you can relax at cafes and libraries
Machida Yakushiike Park: Shikisai no Mori West Garden is a park featuring attractive facilities such as a direct sales shop offering Machida-grown vegetables and foods, and cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
Whether lounging on the lawn or enjoying cafe time with a coffee in hand, both adults and children can enjoy themselves all day long.
【Machida Yakushiike Park Shikisai no Mori West Garden Basic Information】(※)
| Facility Name | Machida Yakushiike Park Shikisai no Mori West Garden |
| Address | 3105 Honmachida, Machida City, Tokyo |
| Access | From Bus Stop No. 21 at the North Exit of Odakyu Machida Station, take the bus bound for “Tsurukawa via Honmachida” or “Nozuta Garage via Honmachida”. Approximately 20 minutes, get off at the “Shikisai no Mori Nishien” bus stop. |
| Opening Hours | 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Closed | Year-end and New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd) |
※Refer to “Machida Yakushiike Park Shikisai no Mori West Garden Official Website”
Relaxing with a book in a library surrounded by greenery
The Library Lounge inside features a wide range of books—from reference guides and picture books to novels—that anyone can freely pick up and enjoy reading (*).
Additionally, it occasionally hosts art exhibitions and events by local artists (*). It’s the perfect spot to stop by when you want to take a breather during sightseeing or spend some quiet time with your children.
※Refer to “Machida Yakushiike Park Shikisai no Mori West Garden Official Website”
Check out the short video here!
Spend a fulfilling holiday in charming Machida!
This article introduced spots where you can enjoy a full day in Machida.
From interacting with adorable animals and savoring gourmet cuisine made with local ingredients to experiencing history, Machida offers a diverse array of attractions. Stepping away from the bustle of the city center lets you enjoy a mini-getaway vibe, adding to its charm.
For your next day off, use this article as a guide and enjoy exploring Machida!
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