Lately, I've been feeling a bit worn out — and craving a quiet walk in nature. Not a big trip, not something exhausting. Just a simple, peaceful place to breathe. While browsing the map one day, I spotted Chigasaki Satoyama Park. I decided to take my Shiba Inu, Momiji, and go for a drive. I didn't expect much… but what I found was more comforting than I imagined. If you're looking for a dog-friendly nature walk or an easy getaway from city life, this guide is for you.
The answer first: Chigasaki Satoyama Park at a glance (tested with my dog)
| Dog-friendly? | Yes — leashed dogs welcome on all trails (not inside buildings) |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Parking | East (42 cars) and West (260 cars): 200 yen weekdays / 410 yen weekends. North lot (99 cars): free |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours for a walk; half a day with a BBQ |
| Food | No shop on site — vending machines only, so bring lunch |
| Access | 15 min by car from Samukawa-Kita IC (Ken-O Expressway), or bus from JR Chigasaki Station to "Serizawa Iriguchi" + 5 min walk |
Table of Contents
- Getting There: Access and Parking
- Walking with Momiji — Nature That Feels Like Old Japan
- Koshikake Shrine and the Old Farmhouse
- A Final Thought
Getting There: Access and Parking
| 駐車場 | 台数 | 平日料金 | 土日祝料金 | 備考 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 東駐車場 | 42台 | 200円 | 410円 | メイン入口付近 |
| 西駐車場 | 260台 | 200円 | 410円 | 大型車・障害者対応あり |
| 北駐車場 | 99台 | 無料 | 無料 | BBQエリア・散策向け |
Chigasaki Satoyama Park is a Kanagawa Prefectural urban park covering about 30.5 hectares. Entry is free, and pets are welcome on leash throughout the grounds. Getting there by car: about 15 minutes from the Kanagawa Expressway "Samukawa-kita IC" via Routes 46 and 47. By train: from JR Chigasaki Station North Exit, take a bus toward Bunkyo University and get off at "Serizawa-iriguchi" (5-minute walk).
Parking lots:
| Lot | Capacity | Weekday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | 42 cars | ¥200 (approx. $1.33) | ¥410 (approx. $2.73) |
| West | 260 cars | ¥200 (approx. $1.33) | ¥410 (approx. $2.73) |
| North | 99 cars | Free | Free |
Tip: the North lot is free all week and is closest to the BBQ area and walking trails — it's where I park.
Walking with Momiji — Nature That Feels Like Old Japan
Walking the paved path through the forest and past the small pond, I kept thinking, "This feels like the Japan I grew up seeing in old photos." Momiji had a blast — I let the leash out a little in the grassy area and she ran around full speed, nose to the ground. By the pond, she stood completely still, staring at the water surface… probably hunting for frogs. On the drive home, she was passed out cold. I think she had a good day.
Koshikake Shrine and the Old Farmhouse
In the northern Serizawa area of the park, there's a small shrine called Koshikake Shrine. Legend has it that the ancient hero Yamato Takeru rested here on a stone during his eastern campaign — that stone, the "Koshikake Tamishi," is enshrined there to this day. The area is designated a natural monument of Chigasaki City, surrounded by ancient ginkgo and zelkova trees. Just walking through, the air feels different. Less like a shrine, more like being wrapped in a forest.
Right nearby is the Tani no Ie — an old Japanese farmhouse preserved as a display facility. You can see the earthen floor, an old wood-burning stove, and the polished wooden corridors. It gave me that quiet feeling of "So this is how people lived in harmony with nature."
A Final Thought
I went looking for a quiet place to decompress — and found something better than I expected. Chigasaki Satoyama Park is the kind of spot you think about when the week gets heavy. The forest, the old shrine, the ancient farmhouse, Momiji running through the grass. Just having a place like this nearby makes everyday life feel a little richer. I'll be back when the seasons change.
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