Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka is a spacious leisure park located in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture. Originally established to promote healthy lifestyles among local residents and support the development of regional industries, the park offers visitors many opportunities to enjoy nature and outdoor activities. With attractions including a beautiful rose garden, a miniature railway, a campsite, and a petting zoo, it is a popular destination for families, groups, and travelers.
Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka is located in Iino, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, and covers approximately 100,000 square meters, or about 30,000 tsubo. The facility opened on May 1, 1979, with the aim of making diverse use of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries resources while contributing to the development of local industries and the health and well-being of residents.
Since 2017, the City of Sakura has managed and operated the facility, strengthening its ties with the local community through a variety of events and activities. A share house was also opened on May 1, 2019, expanding the range of ways in which the facility can be used.
The rose garden at Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka opened in 2006 and covers approximately 13,000 square meters. It is home to around 2,500 rose plants representing approximately 1,250 varieties, creating a spectacular display when the roses are in bloom.
The garden is managed by the Institute for Rose Culture, a nonprofit organization, and also features valuable materials collected by Shozo Suzuki, a renowned Japanese rose breeder. Visitors can enjoy not only the beauty of the flowers but also learn about the history and culture of rose cultivation.
In 2014, the garden was selected for the Huntington Library’s “The Great Rosarians of the World” program and was recognized as a Hall of Fame rose garden. In 2015, it received the Garden Excellence Award at the 17th World Rose Convention organized by the World Federation of Rose Societies. These honors reflect the garden’s internationally recognized beauty and careful management.
The miniature railway is one of the most popular attractions at Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka, especially among families with children. The railway has a total track length of approximately 1.1 kilometers and uses a three-rail system accommodating 5-inch (approximately 12.7 cm) and 7-inch (approximately 17.8 cm) gauges.
Children can enjoy riding the miniature trains around the park while taking in the surrounding scenery. The attraction offers a fun and memorable experience for young visitors.
Railway enthusiasts will also find preserved train cars from Tokyo’s former Toei Mita Line. Cars 6145 and 6146 of the 6000 series, which once operated on the line, are displayed at the facility and provide an interesting glimpse into Japan’s railway history.
Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka offers a campsite, log cabins, and other accommodation facilities, making it a convenient place to enjoy an outdoor stay surrounded by nature. Families and friends can relax and spend quality time together away from the busy city environment.
The site also has a training center that can be used for corporate training sessions, community activities, and various local events.
The petting zoo gives children the opportunity to interact directly with animals. A variety of animals, ranging from small creatures to ponies, are kept at the facility, providing children with an enjoyable way to discover and learn about animals while spending time in nature.
One of the most talked-about residents of Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka is a female goat named “Ponyo.” Her unusual story made her popular with visitors.
In February 2020, Ponyo was being kept as a pet by a local farmer. On May 21 of the same year, she escaped and wandered onto a steep slope between Keisei Sakura Station and Keisei Usui Station on the Keisei Main Line.
Because the goat was living on a steep, cliff-like slope, her appearance reminded local people of the Studio Ghibli animated film Ponyo, whose Japanese title refers to a girl living on a cliff by the sea. She was therefore given the nickname “Ponyo.”
After spending time on the slope, Ponyo was captured on August 11, 2020, and subsequently brought to Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka. She is now cared for at the facility and is open to the public. Visitors can meet the goat who became affectionately known as the “goat on the cliff” and hear the story behind her unusual journey.
Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka can be reached by both public transportation and car. From Keisei Sakura Station on the Keisei Main Line, take the Sakura City Community Bus on the Uchigo Route. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes, and you can get off at the Kusabue-no-Oka bus stop, which is located close to the facility.
By car, the facility is approximately 10 minutes from Keisei Sakura Station and about 15 minutes from JR Sakura Station. It takes approximately 25 minutes from the Sakura Interchange on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway.
Parking is available at the facility, making Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka a convenient destination for visitors traveling by car.
Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka is a popular leisure destination in Sakura City where visitors can enjoy nature, flowers, animals, and outdoor activities in a spacious setting. The park offers a wide variety of attractions, including its internationally recognized rose garden, miniature railway, camping facilities, and petting zoo.
The story of Ponyo the goat adds another memorable feature to the park, while the surrounding greenery provides a relaxing atmosphere for visitors of all ages.
If you are exploring Sakura City or the wider Chiba area, Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka is a pleasant place to spend time outdoors and experience a different side of Japan beyond its major urban attractions.