[Nagakute] "Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park" (Moricoro Park) is Perfect for Weekend Family Outings!

Relax in nature,
Southern area with Satsuki and Mei's house
"Shinrin Rakuen"

Shinrin Rakuen is dotted with facilities where you can think about and learn about the wisdom of nature. You can learn about the natural environment at the "Field Center Morino Gakusha", and after passing through Oyarin Rakuen, you can relax at "Satsuki and Mei's House".

Park your car in the south parking lot, and when you see the baseball field in front of you, go left. If you walk along the baseball field, you will arrive at "Shinrin Rakuen" in about 10 minutes.

If you look at the turtle pond on your right, you will see the reception desk of "Satsuki and Mei's House" in front of you, and the "Field Center Morino Gakusha" on your left.

If you just want to see "Satsuki and Mei's House" from the observatory, you don't need a ticket, but if you want to see the interior up close, let's register here.

Admission to Satsuki and Mei's House is 520 yen for adults (high school students and above) and 250 yen for children (4 years old to junior high school students). Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day. Tickets on the day are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend that you purchase tickets in advance. (Open until October 31, 2021.)

Let's start with Field Center Morino Gakusha.

Get close to nature "Field Center Morino Gakusha"

Field Center Morino Gakusha is an environmental learning facility in Aichi Prefecture. You can enjoy learning about the environment through nature experiences and craft classes. Various experience programs are held mainly on weekends and holidays.

At the time of the interview, "Shizen DE Bingo (BINGO with natural objects)" and "AKT73 General Election" with cicada shells were being held.

If you find an interpreter (forest guide), talk to them! You can hear exciting stories.

It seems that reservations can be made for the two programs, "Walking Forest Tour with an Interpreter" and "Let's Play in the Forest with an Interpreter!" There is no membership fee! Please check the monthly event schedule on the website for program schedules.

If you go up the elevator on the right side of Mori no Gakusha, you will find "Shinrin Rakuen".

As you go through the deck, you can see the light hut.

If you go further, there is a guide to Shinrin Rakuen.

There was also a summer highlight map. It would be fun to look for the cast-off shells of the cicadas we saw at Mori no Gakusha!

Take a walk in the forest while enjoying the picture story. The children were also happy to find the scattered panels.

After passing through Sanpo-michi (walking path), you will arrive at the Observation Tower. "I can see the red roof!"

Visiting from the observatory is free. Admission to "Satsuki and Mei's House" is timed and a ticket is required.

There is already Totoro's world "Satsuki and Mei's house"

This is one of the pavilions that was very popular at Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan, and is the house of Satsuki and Mei that appeared in the movie "My Neighbor Totoro."

It is a facility that reproduces the life in the 1950s in the movie, but this house was not made just for show. A thorough commitment to being able to actually live.

Mr. Kusakabe's nameplate.

I want to rush in unintentionally.

First of all, from the Western-style part where Satsuki and Mei's father's study is. The first thing the children were interested in was the part under the pillars of the terrace. "Just like the movie!"

You will want to shake it unintentionally. A recreated rotten pillar. (Don't worry, it's actually fixed and won't be able to shake.) Even there is a pig's mosquito coil!

Taking pictures inside the house is prohibited, but you can take pictures from outside!

The father's study was also faithfully reproduced.

As the father is an archaeologist, this place is very particular about small items.

It is set one year after the story of the movie, and the calendar is also from that year.

I like the colored glass windows. The Western-style room with windows on three sides is very bright and open.

Next is the part of the traditional Japanese house. You can feel the world view that was depicted in the movie, and the lifestyle of the time that valued the connection with the outside world.

Although you can't touch it, the items in the house are all items that were actually used in the 1950s.

The first time Satsuki and Mei saw Makkuro Kurosuke (pitch-black blackie) was when they opened the back door. The inside is a dirt floor.

On the right side of the dirt floor is the kitchen where Satsuki cooked. The back is a bath.

From the left side of the dirt floor, it continues to the tea room.

There is also a well outside the dirt floor. You can experience drawing water.

The perforated bucket that Mei was looking into. At the time of the interview, I couldn't touch it to prevent infectious diseases, but it makes me want to take a peek.

It looks like a three-seater bicycle with Mei straddling the wrapped cushion.

A wet edge connected to the outside in the tea room. Please take a look below.

There was a hole in which Little Totoro escaped!

The vent where Mei searched for a small Totoro, thinking it might be this way.

Cute production of acorns. If you look through the vent, there is a ramune bottle inside!?

It seems that this world view was created by searching for items that were used at the time, such as items such as home building materials and daily necessities.

Even if you don't necessarily know Totoro, grandpas and grandmas may feel nostalgic and have fun. It is also recommended for outings with three generations.

The ridge-end tile has the character "to" of Totoro. Don't forget to be playful.

There are also occasional events. The attic where Makukuro Kurosuke escaped, which is normally off limits, was open to the public for one day only, and there was also an event where only one group could take a bath using firewood. Fans will love it!

There was even a bus stop where Satsuki met Totoro.

I wonder if the cat bus will come~

The long-awaited Ghibli Park will open in the fall of 2022. It would be nice to watch Ghibli movies such as "My Neighbor Totoro" or visit "Satsuki and Mei's House" to get excited and wait impatiently.

"Satsuki and Mei's House", which was closed from July 13, 2020 due to maintenance work at Ghibli Park, will be temporarily open from April 22, 2021 to October 31, 2021. Don't miss this opportunity!

cycling course

I could see cycling courses here and there, such as the Shinrin Rakuen Observatory and the road from the south parking lot. Feeling the speed of a bicycle in a park full of greenery seems to be particularly pleasant.

The cycling station is located near the north entrance of the park, and rentals are reasonably priced at 100 yen per lap. Carry-on is free. The target is elementary school students and above who can ride a bicycle.

Free park bus

A free bus runs through the large park, so even if you visit by public transport, you won't have any trouble getting around the park.

Moricoro Park has many other facilities that I would like to introduce to you, and it is attractive that you can play and experience various things. How about playing with your children using all your five senses, or spending a relaxing time feeling the nature of each season?

Mainly on weekends, gourmet events, sporting events, marchés, etc. are also held. Please visit again and again to find your favorite.