Explore Aichi Expo Park's Playgrounds, Gardens and more!

History

In 2005, the Aichi Expo was at two venues Aichi prefecture. The expo was a World Fair with the theme of “Nature’s Wisdom”, and showcased technologies and innovations from all over the world with the aim of creating a eco-friendly, sustainable future.

One of the most popular exhibits at the fair was the Mammoth Excavation and Exhibition Project. The exhibit was so popular, that the lines to get in the venue were as long as three to six hours long.

Aichi Expo Park lies on one of the former venue sites in the city of Nagakute. The park is also nicknamed Morikoro Park, which comes from the names of the official mascots of the Expo, Morizo and Kikkoro.

Sights to see

Here are some sights at Aichi Expo Park.

Satsuki and Mei’s House

Satsuki and Mei’s House is a recreation of the house from the animation film, “My Neighbor Totoro”. The film is one of director Miyazaki Hayao’s representative works. The house is an amazingly accurate recreation of the one in the movie, where the sisters Satsuki and May lived.
The house is located in the middle of a forest, and sucks you into the world of Totoro.

Satsuki and Mei’s House

The number entries per day are limited, so it is highly recommended for visitors to reserve tickets beforehand. You can buy them on the day of, but there is a risk of the tickets running out (even on weekdays!).

・ Ticket reservations: on the Loppi ticketing machine at either Lawson or MINISTOP convenience stores
・ How to use Loppi

Inside Satsuki and Mei’s House

・ Fee:
　-Adults: ¥510
　-Children: ¥250

・ Opening hours:
　-Weekdays: 10:00a.m. – 4:30p.m.
　-Weekends: 9:30a.m. – 4:30p.m.

EXPO 2005 Memorial Museum

The EXPO 2005 Memorial Museum has over 300 items that have to do with the 2005 Expo, including items that were exhibited and later donated to the museum. The building of the museum was used as a reception hall during the Expo. In the museum, you can also find huge figurines of Morizo and Kikkoro. On some weekends, you can meet Morizo and Kikkoro at the museum.

The Expo

・ Fees: Free
・ Opening hours: 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. (last entry at 4:30p.m.)

Hana-no-Hiroba Resting Space

At the Hana-no-Hiroba Resting Space, you can surround yourself with flowers throughout all of the seasons. There are about 400 flowering peach trees and over 100,000 lavenders throughout the fields. On the second floor of the resting space building is a restaurant, where you can try dishes native to Nagoya, such as the Sugakiya Ramen (only ¥320 per bowl!) and miso katsu (fried pork with miso sauce). In early April, the Hanamomo Festa is held, and you can enjoy several springtime events.

Lavenders at Hana-no-Hiroba

・ Fees: free
・ Opening hours:
　-Apr. to Oct.: 8:00a.m. – 7:00p.m.
　-Nov. to Mar.: 8:00a.m. – 6:30p.m.

Events

Here are some events held at Aichi Expo Park.

Aichi Satolabo (every Saturday)

Aichi Satolabo is a satoyama (undeveloped village land) cultivating experience event held on Saturdays. The satoyama locates inside the park grounds, and here, you can learn and experience how farmers develop and raise crops on the land. You can have a tour at the traditional Japanese village house and see how an old village house works.

Mori-no-Manabiya Kids Club (monthly)

The Mori-no-Manabiya Kids Club is an environmental education program for children. Wildlife professionals guide kids through the woods, and help them feel closer to nature. To take part in the club activities, club membership is necessary.
The club is divided into a preschool team and a elementary/junior high school team.
・ Registration (Japanese): here

Access

Nearest station: Aichikyūhaku-kinen-kōen Station

From Nagoya Station

【Nagoya Sta.】Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line / for Fujigaoka
→【Fujigaoka Sta.】Linimo / for Yakusa
→【Aichikyūhaku-kinen-kōen Sta.】→ about a 1-minute walk

From Chubu Centrair Airport

【Chubu Centrair Airport】Meitetsu Airport LineμSky / for Meitetsu Nagoya
→【Nagoya Sta.】Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line / for Fujigaoka
→【Fujigaoka Sta.】Linimo / for Yakusa
→【Aichikyūhaku-kinen-kōen Sta.】→ about a 1-minute walk

From Kanaya Station

【Kanaya Sta.】JR Chuo Main Line / for Kozoji
→【Chikusa Sta.】Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line / for Fujigaoka
→【Fujigaoka Sta.】Linimo / for Yakusa
→【Aichikyūhaku-kinen-kōen Sta.】→ about a 1-minute walk

Use the free in-park bus!

Flower field in the park

Within the park, there are many more facilities, such as the tearoom, Japanese garden, ferris wheel, skating rink and more. To get around the spacious park, use the park bus. The bus is free of charge, and can help you get through the entire park.

Nearby Destinations