Sylvanian Park Ibaraki, Japan
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Sylvanian Park Ibaraki, Japan is a must-visit for Sylvanian Family or Calico Critter fans!
Sylvanian Families, (also known as Calico Critters in the USA) were my absolute favourite toys growing up. Did you also swoon over their cutesy faces and old-fashioned dress-ups?
If you did or still do, then you must visit the very kawaii (cute) fun Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki that showcases the peaceful lives of these creatures on a life-size scale. Become part of their world!
These adorable animal families originated in Japan in the 1980s, which comes as no surprise as the Japanese are the kawaii (cute) experts!
There are three Sylvanian Parks in Japan where you can immerse yourself in the world of Sylvanian Families: Sylvanian Park Osaka, Grinpa near Mount Fuji and Sylvanian Park Ibaraki.
This article focuses on Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki, located 1.5 hour’s drive from Tokyo.
Where is Sylvanian Park located?
There are three Sylvanian Parks in Japan:
- Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki (near Narita airport)
- Sylvanian Park, Sakai (near Osaka)
- Grinpa, near Mount Fuji
This article focuses on Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki.
How to get to Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki
Sylvanian Park Ibaraki, Japan is quite difficult to reach without a car, so I suggest driving as the first and easiest option.
By car:
From Tokyo it takes around 1.5 hours to drive. So it’s a great day trip for families from the Tokyo area.
From Narita airport, it takes around 40 minutes by car to reach Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki.
Closer to Narita Airport than Tokyo
Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki is much closer to Narita Airport than Tokyo. So if you fly into Narita and hire a car, consider going straight to Sylvanian Park (just 40 minutes from there).
By public transport:
It’s very difficult to take public transport to Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki but it’s not impossible!
From Shibuya Station in Tokyo, it will take around 3 hours to reach Sylvanian Park taking a mix of buses and trains. Use Google Maps to guide you.
Despite Narita airport being so much closer to the park than Tokyo, it takes longer via public transport to reach Sylvanian Park from there.
Expect to spend 4.5 hours on public transport from Narita Airport versus a 40-minute drive from the same location!
The best way to get to Sylvanian Park in Ibaraki is by car.
If you are a tourist, and won’t be hiring a car during your trip, consider taking public transport from Osaka to the Sylvanian Park in Sakai, which is easier to access.
Entry fees
Sylvanian Park Ibaraki, Japan is located inside a dog-friendly leisureland (a big park) called Komorebi Mori no Ibaraido or Ibaraido Forest.
First, pay entry to Ibaraido Forest of 1,000 yen per adult and 600 yen per child. Once inside this park, make your way to Sylvanian Park (inside Ibaraido Forest) and pay another 700 yen per person to access Sylvanian Park.
However, just like the Sylvanian Park near Osaka, if you complete the free quiz correctly, you will receive a free Sylvanian baby worth 700 yen per quiz/per person.
Basically, the entry is refunded in the form of the cutest Sylvanian baby!
What to expect inside Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki
Sylvanian Park Ibaraki, Japan is a small section of cuteness overload located inside the lovely Ibaraido Forest park in Ibaraki.
Inside Sylvanian Park, you will find life-sized replicas of Sylvanian buildings, a large maze that takes you all around the park, a stage where Sylvanians may sing and dance, some cute forest games to play and so many gorgeous Sylvanians to look at.
We visited the park in November, so the Sylvanian Families were dressed in cute Christmas theme. The park also offered special activities and events for that specific time of year.
No toilets or food inside Sylvanian Park
It’s best to save eating and toilet breaks for outside Sylvanian Park but inside Ibaraido Forest (and there are lots of options), as once you enter, there aren’t any inside.
Sylvanian buildings to explore
Entry to Sylvanian Park Ibaraki, Japan is through the Red Roof Cosy Cottage, just the same as the park near Osaka. You will see the lovely Freya of the chocolate rabbit family upstairs beckoning you inside!
Inside the door of the Red Roof Cosy Cottage pay your 700 yen entry fee to waiting staff and collect your quiz! Have your Google translate app ready if you cannot read Japanese.
Once you walk out the back of the Red Roof Cosy Cottage you have entered the magical world of the Sylvania.
The Red Roof Country Home
The Red Roof Country Home houses the very large and extremely cute Chocolate Rabbit Family.
Inside the home, you can join their peaceful life as they watch television, enjoy some scrumptious lunch and frolic with friends.
Look for all the beautiful details such as rabbit toast and life-sized replicas of all your favourite Sylvanian furniture and toys.
Log Cabin
The Log Cabin, the Sylvanians’ favourite holiday spot, is life-sized and ready for you to explore in Sylvanian Park Ibaraki, Japan.
The Persian cats including the cutest Persian baby triplets; Blair, Blake and Brianna are waiting outside to welcome you to the forest hideaway.
Inside the log cabin, expect to find the rest of the Persian cats enjoying a holiday meal with toast, curry, noodles and more.
I did notice the blender on standby for Lucas Cat’s breakfast smoothie. He has one every morning to keep fit for his dancing career.
Baby Castle Nursery
The Baby Castle Nursery is tucked under the trees near the start of the maze in Sylvanian Park Ibaraki, Japan. You can explore inside, and it’s a toddler’s dream.
Family Picnic Van
The wonderfully pink Family Picnic Van is interactive, allowing children to climb inside and pretend to drive on their next adventure. Of course, the view from the Picnic Van is not too bad either!
Activities in Sylvanian Park
Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki, Japan has a wonderful array of activities for children to enjoy, from games to performances and a winding, adventurous maze.
Performances
The Sylvanian Family performance is a highlight of the Park! The schedule is listed near the entry and if you’re lucky, you can see Freya, the Chocolate Rabbit perform the Happy Birthday song.
This was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. I loved seeing the children’s eyes light up upon seeing their favourite toy come to life.
The little ampitheatre was quite full the day we went (on a Saturday), so I suggest you arrive early for the performance if you want a seat, especially if you have a little one.
Maze
There is a cute maze that snakes around the perimeter of Sylvanian Park.
Beware, at one part you may need to crouch through!
Along the way, you can find the cutest Sylvanian exhibits and play a game of ‘find the Sylvanian with your kids’.
Near the start of the maze, you will also get a great view back across Sylvanian Park to take in all its cutesy greatness!
Acorn games and ring toss
I know you’re wondering, what are acorn games? Try rolling an acorn down a board with holes and hoping it will land in the right hole. So simple, but surprisingly fun!
Komorebi Mori no Ibaraido (Ibaraido Forest)
Ibaraido Forest has so much to offer, you can spend a whole day exploring this park and Sylvanian Park as well.
Even though Sylvanian Park is a small section within Ibaraido Forest, you will find references to Sylvanian Families all through the leisureland.
For example, the restaurants, food stands, Sylvanian Family shops and Sylvanian displays can be found inside Ibaraido Forest but outside Sylvanian Park.
Ibaraido Forest does however also cater for non-Sylvanian Family lovers (gasp, how could there be such a thing?). The Park also includes a farm with animals to feed, paddle boats on a lake, many restaurants, treetop adventures, crafts and more.
Attractions at Komorebi Mori no Ibaraido
Gourmet and Craft Workshops
The catch-phrase for Ibaraido Forest is ‘Touch. Play. Make. Eat.’ It defines itself as an experiential theme park, where guests can enjoy workshops or hands-on classes.
These classes change depending on the season, however you can check the gourmet range of classes here. It’s best to book Gourmet classes ahead of time.
Get excited about making Sylvanian Family-themed pizza, cookies, milk bread or ice cream! The classes start at 650 yen and go up to 1,400 yen. It’s a great value experience!
Families can also partake in craft activities that do not require advance reservation such as creating a Sylvanian Families Spring basket, a snow globe aquarium or Sylvanian wooden name holder. The list of craft classes is here.
Animal feeding and horse riding
There is a farm full of animals at Ibaraido Forest. Children can feed bunnies, guinea pigs and cuddle other furry friends.
Horse-riding is available for children and adults, however adults must weigh less than 60kg.
Play
The park also offers many play activities for kids such as a zip line, tree tops course, go-karts, grass-sliding, paddle boats and more!
There are also seasonal activities such as a splash park in summer and a long playground course.
All these activities cost extra once you have entered the park and here is the list of options.
Shopping
The shopping is incredible at Sylvanian Park! The Sylvanian store offers limited edition items and rare Sylvanian Family-themed souvenirs not usually available anywhere else.
Read up on new or limited edition items before coming to the park so you know what to buy from the huge range of options!
Usually, the Christmas sets are limited edition for the current year only and I was lucky to find only two left when I visited. Of course I HAD to purchase one. Kawaii!!
What to eat at Komorebi Mori no Ibaraido
There are plenty of eating options at Ibaraido Forest.
For example, you can barbeque. Food, utensils and even the cleaning up is provided by the park. Otherwise, indulge in some Sylvanian themed food truck food, enjoy a buffet restaurant or eat in the grand hall like we did with many options to choose from.
The Marche Hall has a variety of food options with ample seating. This is great for families where everyone wants to have something different! Expect to find sausages, pizza, hamburgers and fries, katsu curry and rice and more.
Sylvanian family displays are abundant inside Ibaraido Forest and Marche Hall is no different.
Find your favourite characters enjoying their peaceful lives in Sylvania and get inspired for your own display at home!
If you want to eat something specifically Sylvanian-themed, you can find the food truck which serves up hot dogs, snack packs, dessert and popcorn all with Sylvanian cuteness.
For 600 yen you can get the cutest caramel popcorn and French fry snack pack in a Red Roof Cosy Cottage-shaped box.
If you prefer a heartier meal, try the buffet restaurant (no bookings required, but there may be a line if you wait until 12:30pm). Adult prices are reasonably priced at 1,800 yen and the options are abundant.
What else to do in Ibaraki?
The prefecture of Ibaraki sometimes gets a bad wrap, meaning it’s one of the least popular of Japan’s prefectures.
However, Ibaraki is one of my favourite prefectures in Japan and we’ve had many great memories there.
If you want to turn your Sylvanian Park adventure into a larger tour, consider a few days exploring Ibaraki. My Ibaraki article details all the best things to do including:
- Fukuroda Falls (immensely beautiful and powerful waterfall)
- Kairakuen Garden (one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens)
- Hitachi Seaside Park (stunning blooming displays and fun park)
- Mount Tsukuba (A unique double-peaked mountain with beautiful view)
- Tsukuba Wan Wan Land (the cutest doggy park ever!)
- The most delicious apple pies!
And the best part of all, as Ibaraki isn’t as popular as other places in Japan, you won’t be crowded in!
Round up of Sylvanian Park, Ibaraki, Japan
Sylvanian Park in Ibaraki, Japan is so much fun for the family. There is something for everyone to enjoy here.
The park is a little difficult to access via public transport and it’s best to drive from Tokyo or Narita airport.
If you’re a tourist and you don’t want to rent a car, it could be easier to visit Sylvanian Park in Osaka with convenient train access from Osaka city.
But for Tokyo residents with a car, it makes a wonderful day trip!
Plan to spend a whole day at the park including surrounding Ibaraido Forest which has so much to offer including craft activities, gourmet experiences, paddle boats, farm animals to feed and much more.
