Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden
戸隠森林植物園36°45′ N 138°05′ EParkFreeSeasonal
Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden is a free 71-hectare spread of woodland and wetland at the foot of Mt. Togakushi, and it suits walkers and birdwatchers from late April to late November; it is also home to many Asian black bears, so carry a bell.
Photo TTTNIS · Wikimedia Commons · CC0 and others, credited in the gallery
Nagano Prefecture created the garden to mark the national tree-planting festival it hosted in 1964, and it opened in August 1968. Footpaths link a plant observation garden, a fir grove, the skunk cabbage wetland and Midori-ga-ike pond across 71 hectares. The whole garden forms part of the Togakushi bird forest. Paths lead in from the start of the Okusha approach of Togakushi Shrine and from its Zuishinmon gate, so a walk here joins easily with a visit to the shrine.
Staff at Hachijuni Mori no Manabiya, the visitor centre, keep track of what's flowering and which birds are around, and they lend bear bells. Asian black bears live throughout the garden and gather in July and August to eat skunk cabbage fruit along the streams and wetlands. If you see one, keep well back, skip the photo and move away calmly, then tell the centre where it was.
Worth knowing
- Borrow a bear bell at the visitor centre before you set out.
- Combine the garden with the walk to Togakushi Shrine's Okusha; paths link the two at the approach entrance and at the Zuishinmon gate.
- Never feed wildlife, and take all your litter home.
Quick answers about Togakushi Forest Botanical Gardenよくある質問
Is Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden free?
Yes. Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden and its visitor centre, Hachijuni Mori no Manabiya, are free to use.
Are there bears at Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden?
Yes. Asian black bears live throughout Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden and gather in July and August for skunk cabbage fruit. Borrow a bear bell at the visitor centre and ask there about recent sightings.
When is Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden open?
In 2026 Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden is open from 25 April to 23 November. Its visitor centre opens 9:30–16:30 and closes on Mondays.
How much does Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden cost?
Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden is free to visit.
When is the best time to visit Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden?
Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden: The garden is open from late April to late November. Ask at the visitor centre which plants are flowering and which birds are about that week.
Within 12 km
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