Azumino Chihiro Park is a spacious 53,500-square-meter park surrounded by peaceful rural landscapes, with magnificent views of the Northern Alps. Visitors can enjoy art, nature, and hands-on activities in an open setting that feels like a scene from a picture book.
The park features several unique attractions, including the Totto-chan Square, inspired by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi’s famous memoir Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window, and the Pacovská Garden, designed by Czech picture-book artist Kvĕta Pacovská.
With its combination of art, nature, and interactive experiences, Azumino Chihiro Park is a relaxing destination where both children and adults can spend an entire day at their own pace.
Totto-chan Square recreates the railway-car classrooms that appear in Tetsuko Kuroyanagi’s memoir Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window.
The original Dehani 201 railway carriage, which remained in service until 1980, was relocated here and transformed into a unique train classroom and train library.
Walking into the railway cars gives visitors the feeling of stepping directly into the world of the story. For children especially, the space encourages imagination, curiosity, learning, and play.
Pacovská Garden was designed by Czech picture-book artist and visual artist Kvĕta Pacovská. The colorful and imaginative space combines playful art installations with the natural landscape of the park.
Eight stone objects are placed along the pathway leading toward the museum, creating points of interest as visitors walk through the garden. One of its most distinctive features is a pond formed by combining two squares of different sizes.
Children can enjoy playing in the water beside the pond, while adults can appreciate the way Pacovská’s artistic vision blends naturally with the surrounding landscape. The garden creates a space where art, play, and nature come together.
At the Experience and Exchange Center, visitors can take part in cooking activities using fresh ingredients produced locally in the Azumino area.
Rather than simply tasting local food, participants can prepare dishes themselves and experience the region’s food culture through hands-on activities. Menus change according to the season, allowing visitors to discover ingredients and flavors associated with the local countryside.
It is a welcoming place for families and friends to spend time together while learning about the food traditions of Azumino.
The Azumino Chihiro Art Museum exhibits works by Chihiro Iwasaki, one of Japan’s best-known picture-book artists, as well as works by picture-book artists from around the world.
Chihiro Iwasaki devoted much of her career to portraying the innocent expressions and gentle emotions of children. The museum provides an opportunity to experience her distinctive artistic world while also learning about picture-book art from different cultures.
The museum is located in the landscape of Matsukawa Village, a place that Chihiro Iwasaki loved. The surrounding scenery allows visitors to appreciate her work in an environment closely connected with the landscapes that inspired her.
The area around the museum is filled with greenery, creating a peaceful environment where visitors can slow down and enjoy the outdoors.
Visitors can sit in the shade of the trees and read a book, stroll through the park, or watch children playing beside the pond. These simple moments reflect the peaceful rural landscape of Matsukawa Village that Chihiro Iwasaki cherished during her lifetime.
The combination of art and nature gives the entire park a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Rather than being simply a place to visit a museum, Azumino Chihiro Park encourages visitors to spend time outdoors, explore at their own pace, and enjoy the connection between creativity and the natural world.
Azumino Chihiro Park is a distinctive destination where picture-book art, Japanese literature, local culture, and the natural beauty of the Northern Alps come together.
Children can explore the railway classrooms of Totto-chan Square, play in Pacovská Garden, and participate in hands-on activities, while adults can enjoy the artwork, architecture, landscape, and peaceful atmosphere.
For travelers exploring the Azumino area, the park offers a gentle and memorable way to experience the region. Surrounded by rice fields, greenery, and views of the Northern Alps, it is a place where visitors can take a break from sightseeing and enjoy a slower rhythm.
Totto-chan Square, Experience Exchange Center
9:00-17:00
Free of charge
From Shinanomatsugawa Station on the JR Oito Line: 3 minutes by cab, 7 minutes by rental bicycle, or 30 minutes on foot.
By car: 30 minutes from Toyoshina IC on Nagano Expressway toward Omachi and Hakuba