Tanbaryu-no-sato Park is a municipal park in Kamitaki, Sannan-cho, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. Developed as part of Tamba City’s Tanba Dragon initiative to promote the area’s dinosaur heritage, the park opened on March 29, 2015, as part of improvements to the surroundings of the nearby dinosaur fossil discovery site. Located next to a parking area, it offers dinosaur-themed attractions that make it a fun stop for families and visitors interested in prehistoric life.
The park stands beside the Sasayama River and is adjacent to Genki-mura Kamikuge, a community facility offering local products and hands-on activities. Nearby attractions include the site where the Tanba Dragon fossils were discovered, the former Kamikuge Village-owned Kamitaki Power Station Memorial Museum, Kawashiro Park, and Kawashiro Gorge.
Life-size Tanba Dragon Monument: One of the park’s most striking features is a life-size monument representing the Tanba Dragon. Measuring approximately 15 meters long and 7 meters high, it gives visitors an impressive sense of the dinosaur’s enormous size.
Dinosaur Skeleton Playground and Slide: The park features a playground inspired by dinosaur skeletons, including athletic play equipment and a slide. It provides an opportunity for children to play while exploring the park’s prehistoric theme.
Adjacent Genki-mura Kamikuge: This nearby community facility offers opportunities to learn about local fossils, browse regional specialties, and enjoy light meals.
The Tanba Dragon, known in Japanese as Tanbaryu, refers to dinosaur fossils discovered on August 7, 2006, in the riverbed of the Sasayama River in Sannan-cho, Tamba City. The dinosaur was thought to belong to the titanosauriform group, a lineage of long-necked, herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs. In 2014, it was recognized as a new genus and species.
The dinosaur’s scientific name is Tambatitanis amicitiae. The name combines “Tamba,” referring to the area where the fossils were found; “titanis,” inspired by the Titans of Greek mythology; and “amicitiae,” a Latin word meaning friendship. The name commemorates both the discovery location and the friendship associated with the people who discovered the fossils.
Tamba City lies in the east-central part of Hyogo Prefecture and is known for its abundant natural scenery. Sannan-cho, in the southern part of the city, is a mountainous area shaped by the Sasayama River. The combination of river landscapes, green hills, and dinosaur-related sites makes the area an appealing destination for visitors interested in nature, geology, and prehistoric history.
The Tanba Dragon area includes several attractions beyond the park itself. These include Hirota Suspension Bridge, a scenic observation area, a monument depicting fossils in their original geological setting, and walking paths. Together, these features allow visitors to explore the landscape associated with the fossil discovery and learn more about the region’s dinosaur heritage.
The park has a life-size Tanba Dragon monument, dinosaur-themed athletic equipment and a slide, and free parking. Restrooms are available through the adjacent Genki-mura Kamikuge facility.
Completed in July 2009, Genki-mura Kamikuge is a community center operated by local residents. Visitors can take part in fossil-digging experiences, purchase local specialties, and enjoy light refreshments. It is a useful stop for families who want to combine a visit to the park with a hands-on activity.
Services include dinosaur-themed goods, locally grown vegetables, and guided fossil-digging experiences led by an instructor. The fossil activity costs ¥300. Vegetable sales are generally available on operating days, while the facility’s stated closure days are Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Free parking is available for approximately 50 passenger cars and three buses.
By train: From Shimotaki Station on the JR West Fukuchiyama Line, the park is approximately 1.5 kilometers east, or about a 20-minute walk.
By car: From Tannan-Sasayamaguchi Interchange on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway, the drive takes approximately 20 minutes via National Route 176. Alternatively, from the Ihara-Minami intersection on National Route 175, follow Prefectural Route 77, also known as Kawashiro Dinosaur Road, east for approximately 10 kilometers, a drive of around 15 minutes.
Other places to visit in the area include the Former Kamikuge Village-owned Kamitaki Power Station Memorial Museum, Kawashiro Park, the Tanba Dragon Fossil Studio “Chitan-no-Yakata,” and Tamba Namikimichi Central Park. These attractions can be combined with a visit to Tanbaryu-no-sato Park for a fuller exploration of the area’s natural history and outdoor scenery.