とらまる公園, Sports and recreation park in Higashikagawa, Japan
Toramaru Park is an 18-hectare facility with multiple sports amenities including tennis courts, a gymnasium, and a camping area positioned on rolling hills facing Mount Toramaru. The grounds also encompass the Toramaru Puppet Land Museum and a half-scale replica of medieval European streets designed as an educational play area.
Park development began in 1987 following the establishment of the Ouchi Town Comprehensive Sports Park Construction Promotion Council in 1984. The site gradually expanded into a multifunctional recreation area combining sports and cultural activities.
The Toramaru Puppet Land displays traditional and modern puppet arts through performances and exhibits in Japan's only dedicated puppet theater museum. Visitors experience live demonstrations that show how these art forms connect to local heritage.
The grounds are freely accessible daily, though some facilities like the Miniature Children's Museum charge admission fees. Plan extra time to explore the different areas since the park terrain is expansive and spread across rolling hills.
A distinctive feature is the half-scale replica of medieval European streets created as an educational playground for children. This unusual attraction blends cultural learning with interactive play, setting the park apart from typical Japanese recreation areas.
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