Take the Hokutetsu Kyuko Hokuhuku Line to Matsudai Station, then the Higashikubi bus bound for Matsunoyama Onsen (15 minutes). Get off at the "Sakai Matsu" stop and walk for 20 minutes (or get off at "Matsunoyama Bunkou Mae" and walk for 30 minutes in winter). A taxi from the station takes about 15 minutes. It's a 10-minute drive from Matsunoyama Onsen. Some hotels offer tours. Show route
Op.Hours
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cld.Days
Tuesday
Fee
Adults: ¥500, High school students: ¥300, Junior high and elementary school students: ¥200, Infants: Free
INFO
Parking is free.
Photography is prohibited in some exhibition rooms.
Kyororo, the "Forest School," is a science museum located in Matsunoyama, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, themed around the natural beauty of a snowy satoyama. Designed by architects Tezuka Takahiro + Tezuka Yubi, its unique building is clad in rusted steel, creating a stunning landscape when buried in snow, a characteristic of the heavy snowfall region. The name "Kyororo" comes from the call of the Akashobin, a kingfisher representative of the Matsunoyama satoyama: "kyoro roro ro..."
The museum features exhibits and interactive programs about the unique wildlife, plants, and culture of snowy regions. For example, there are exhibits of local flora and fauna, observation corners showcasing plants that emerge after the snow melts, and sections where you can experience life in a snowy region. Kyororo also hosts various events, including plant observation events coinciding with the spring thaw and workshops focusing on the wildlife of snowy areas.
From Kyororo's observation room, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the magnificent satoyama landscape blanketed in snow, with beautiful scenery changing throughout the year. Spring reveals verdant mountains, summer showcases blue skies against a backdrop of green, and autumn paints the mountains in vibrant colors.
Nearby, you'll find wonderful places for leisurely walks, including the "Bijininrin" (Beautiful Women Forest) with its breathtaking beech forest and "Kyororo no Mori" (Kyororo Forest), preserving abundant natural beauty. Bijininrin is a stunning beech forest where dappled sunlight creates a magical atmosphere. Kyororo no Mori is a well-maintained trail through a rich, natural forest, perfect for a nature walk.
Echigo Matsunoyama "Forest School" Kyororo offers a captivating experience of snowy nature and culture. Be sure to visit!
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