Oyamadairi Park Dog Run (Machida, Tokyo): How to Register, the PIN-Code Gate, the Walk from Parking & Which Area a Shiba Inu Uses

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Hi, this is Hiroshi from "Ramen, Beer, and Sometimes a Blog."

Oyamadairi Park is a Tokyo Metropolitan park straddling Machida and Hachioji, on a ridge in the Tama Hills. It's a short drive from our home, and I've been walking here with my Shiba Inu Momiji for years. A round trip along the ridge road is about 10 km, so it's a decent workout.

Tucked in the back of the park is a free dog run I'd been curious about for a while. I'd put it off because it's registration-only and that sounded like a hassle. Then I learned the registration is done entirely online, tried it, and it turned out to be surprisingly easy. So on September 8, on a cool afternoon after the rain, we finally went.

Spoiler: we lasted 15 minutes. Mosquitoes. Details below.

Who this article is for: anyone wondering how to register for Oyamadairi Park's dog run and how the PIN-code gate works, how far it is from the parking lot, and which area a Shiba Inu or other mid-size dog can use.

The Short Answer: Three Questions, Three Answers (Field-Checked September 8, 2026)

Question	Answer
How do I register?	Apply online for the Tokyo Metropolitan 12-Park Dog Run Common Registration (there's no in-person desk). All you need is a photo of this fiscal year's rabies vaccination tag (the red plate for FY2026). Once approved, you get an email with the gate PIN and a PDF registration certificate — print it and carry it. I applied on September 3 and was inside on September 8. Registration and use are both free
How do I get there from the parking lot?	The official lot is at the Otagiri entrance: 23 spaces, free, 9:00–17:00. The dog run is on almost the opposite side of the park (behind the South Field, near the Tamasakai entrance): about an 8-minute walk with a flight of wooden stairs. By train, Tamasakai Station on the Keio Sagamihara Line is about a 10-minute walk from the dog-run side
Which area does a Shiba Inu use?	The small-dog area is for dogs under 6 kg. A Shiba goes in the medium/large-dog area. The ground is dirt and grass on a slope, with plenty of shade and a water tap. The rules banner says toys are allowed. But after rain, the mosquitoes are brutal

Where Is the Dog Run? The Walk from the Parking Lot
Online-Only Registration and the PIN-Code Gate
Which Area for a Shiba? The 6 kg Line and the Rules Banner
Inside: Dirt, Grass, Shade, a Water Tap and a Little Hut
Beaten by Mosquitoes in 15 Minutes
The Way Back: Ridge Road and the Sanctuary
Spot Information
Final Thoughts

Where Is the Dog Run? The Walk from the Parking Lot

Oyamadairi Park covers about 46 hectares on a ridge in the Tama Hills. Most of it is a "sanctuary" — a nature reserve closed to visitors — so the parts you can actually walk are the ridge road and the fields and trails around it. The dog run, officially "Wan-Wan Fureai Hiroba," sits behind the South Field on the north side of the park, near the Tamasakai entrance.

Park information board at the entrance of Oyamadairi Park, showing a green map of trails and fields — The map board near the parking lot. "You are here" is by Otagiri Pond; the dog run is on the far side of the map

We drove. The official parking lot is at the Otagiri entrance: 23 spaces, free, open 9:00–17:00. I'd heard it fills up on weekends, but on a weekday just before 3 p.m. there was plenty of room. The catch is that this lot is on almost the opposite side of the park from the dog run.

Shiba Inu Momiji standing on a paved path in front of a building under a cloudy sky, looking back at the camera — From the parking lot into the park, past a building and onward. Momiji already wants to go

Shiba Inu Momiji on a leash climbing wooden stairs through the woods, looking back partway up — The shortcut is a flight of wooden stairs. Momiji got ahead easily and gave me the "what's taking so long?" look

From the lot, we passed a building, climbed wooden stairs through the woods, came out on the ridge road, and reached the South Field. Going by the timestamps on my photos, it took 8 minutes from the parking lot to the dog run entrance. Because of the stairs, older dogs and older humans may prefer the longer, gentler route. If you come by train, Tamasakai Station on the Keio Sagamihara Line is about a 10-minute walk, and that side is closer to the dog run.

Online-Only Registration and the PIN-Code Gate

This is probably what you most want to know, so here it is step by step.

Since fiscal 2024, Oyamadairi's dog run has been part of the Tokyo Metropolitan 12-Park Dog Run Common Registration, and registration is online only. There's no desk to walk up to. What you need is a photo of this fiscal year's rabies vaccination tag — the red plate for FY2026. Last year's yellow plate won't be accepted.

Notice posted at the dog run entrance explaining the registration procedure and PIN confirmation, with a QR code for the online application form — The notice at the entrance: apply online with the red FY2026 plate, and after approval you receive the PIN by email plus a PDF certificate

Once your application is approved, you receive an email containing the gate PIN and a PDF registration certificate. Print the certificate and carry it whenever you enter. According to the notice, the PIN is scheduled to change four times a year, and they don't give it out over the phone — so keep that email safe.

I applied on September 3 and was inside on September 8. Full disclosure: ChatGPT did most of the application for me. After being turned away twice for missing paperwork at Nanakuni Park Dog Run in Hachioji, an application I could finish from my couch felt like a gift.

The PIN keypad at the dog run entrance with a sign explaining how to open the lock — The entrance is a PIN-code lock. Four steps, printed right on the sign — follow them and it opens

The gate has a keypad lock. The instructions are on the sign: 1) press the square button at the top center, 2) enter the PIN, 3) press the triangle button at the bottom center, 4) turn the knob to the right. Did exactly that, and it opened without fuss.

A dog run usage log on a clipboard, its columns for registration number and time densely filled in — The usage log on the hut's desk. Registration numbers and times fill every line — plenty of regulars here

Sign on the fence stating that the dog run is managed together with the volunteer group Oyamadairi Park Wan-Wan Supporters — The dog run is run jointly by the Park Center and a volunteer group, the "Wan-Wan Supporters." A homemade-looking sign

Which Area for a Shiba? The 6 kg Line and the Rules Banner

Inside there are two areas. The small-dog area is for dogs under 6 kg; everyone else uses the medium/large-dog area. Momiji is a Shiba of around 10 kg, so medium/large it was.

Rules banner for the Oyamadairi Park dog run hung on the fence, showing toys allowed, fighting breeds prohibited, and small dogs defined as under 6 kg — The rules banner: toys OK, fighting breeds and dogs that bite not allowed, small dogs under 6 kg. The grass has grown over the bottom half

What caught my eye was the "Toys: OK" symbol. Some websites say toys are banned here, so I wasn't sure — but the banner on site shows a circle, which means allowed. Good news for a ball-obsessed Shiba. The banner also says 16- and 17-year-olds must be accompanied by a registered adult, and fighting breeds or dogs with a biting habit are not allowed.

Gate labeled for medium and large dogs only, with a yellow sign saying small dogs cannot use it and a bee warning sign below — The medium/large-dog gate: "Small dogs may not enter," and a bee warning sign beneath it. That sign will make sense later

Inside: Dirt, Grass, Shade, a Water Tap and a Little Hut

Inside, the existing trees have been left standing, with a grassy field and a dirt slope spread among them. It's not a flattened, engineered space — it's the hillside as it was. On a weekday afternoon there were no other dogs. We had the place to ourselves.

Grassy field under a cloudy sky with woods and traffic cones in the background, Shiba Inu Momiji small in the distance — The grassy part of the medium/large-dog area. Woods at the back, and Momiji tiny in the distance

First, Momiji tearing around the grass. My wife threw the ball, Momiji chased it and came back, over and over. It was cool after the rain, and she looked like she was loving it.

Shiba Inu Momiji walking through the grass with a ball in her mouth — Happy with her ball. We checked the "toys OK" symbol before throwing it

Beyond the grass is a dirt area among the trees, carpeted in fallen leaves. The smells must have been rich, because Momiji went exploring nose-down with the ball still in her mouth. The ground was damp after the rain — not quite muddy, but paws do get dirty.

Stone water station inside the dog run with a tap and basin, a bench beside it — The stone water station, with a tap and basin and a bench next to it

A small wooden hut painted light blue, with a usage log, a clock and a spray can on the desk — The light-blue hut. On the desk: a clock, the usage log, and a spray can. Remember that spray can

Facilities: the water station, a bench, and the little blue hut. No agility equipment. Nothing flashy, but you can feel the volunteers' care in the place. A lovely dog run. Up to this point.

Beaten by Mosquitoes in 15 Minutes

The rain had stopped, it was cool and pleasant, and I remember thinking, "No mosquitoes either, nice." Famous last words. I got absolutely eaten alive.

A can of insect repellent spray sitting on the desk of the hut — The insect repellent on the hut's desk. I now understand, in my skin, why it's there

That's when the spray can on the desk made sense. A woodland, right after rain, at the end of summer: perfect mosquito conditions. I have a very low tolerance for itching, and I was knocked out almost immediately. Looking back at my photo timestamps, we left 15 minutes after entering.

Trees cordoned off with traffic cones and rope, a sign warning to watch out for bees, plastic wrapped around a trunk — The trees at the back are roped off with a "Watch out for bees" sign. It's a natural woodland, so mosquitoes aren't the only insects

Momiji was clearly not done. Sorry, girl. Your old man just couldn't take it. We'll come back when the autumn leaves are falling. It is a sanctuary, after all — the mosquitoes are well protected too.

My advice: bring your own insect repellent, especially after rain and in summer. The abundant shade is this dog run's great strength, and the mosquitoes agree.

The Way Back: Ridge Road and the Sanctuary

We left the dog run, clipped the leash on, and headed back toward the car — a regular walk from here. To make up a little for Momiji's unfinished business, we took the long way.

The ridge road at Oyamadairi Park after rain: a wide paved path running straight between trees, scattered with fallen leaves — The ridge road, originally built during WWII for tank test runs. Wide and gently graded, with wet leaves after the rain

The ridge road was built during the war as a test track for tanks. It's wide, gently graded, and lined with cherry trees. A round trip is about 10 km, which is why it's my walking course. Joggers, cyclists and dog walkers share it at an easy pace.

Sanctuary sign on the fence stating that entry is prohibited without permission to protect plants and animals — Most of the park is sanctuary. Beyond the fence belongs to the plants and animals — no people, no dogs

Shiba Inu Momiji on a leash standing on the dirt in the woods, nose to the base of a tree — A detour through the woods on the way back. On a leash, you can enjoy the trails without any dog-run registration

The trail through the woods is dirt and fallen leaves. Honestly, Momiji may have enjoyed this more than the dog run.

Shiba Inu Momiji seen from behind, walking ahead along a narrow woodland path scattered with fallen leaves — Momiji leading the way down a leaf-strewn trail. We were back at the car 40 minutes after arriving

In the end we spent 40 minutes in the park, 15 of them in the dog run. Still, a walk through the woods after rain isn't a bad afternoon. I promised Momiji we'd be back.

Spot Information

Item	Details
Name	Oyamadairi Park Dog Run (Wan-Wan Fureai Hiroba), a Tokyo Metropolitan park
Address	4-4 Oyamagaoka, Machida, Tokyo (Park Center). The park spans Machida and Hachioji
Access	Train: about 10 min on foot from Tamasakai Station (Keio Sagamihara Line), on the dog-run side. Car: about 12 min from the Aihara IC on the Hachioji Bypass
Parking	Official lot: free, 23 spaces, 9:00–17:00 (Otagiri entrance). About 8 min on foot to the dog run, with stairs. If full, paid lots near Tamasakai Station
Fee	Free (registration is also free)
Hours	Dog run 9:00–17:00. The park itself is always open. Park Center closed Dec 29–Jan 3
Dog policy	Dog run requires the Tokyo Metropolitan 12-Park Common Registration (online only): apply with a photo of the current fiscal year's rabies vaccination tag; a PDF certificate and the gate PIN arrive by email. Small-dog area under 6 kg; medium/large area for the rest. Leashed dogs welcome on park trails; the sanctuary is off-limits
Official info	Oyamadairi Park (Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association, Japanese) (Park Center Tel. 042-676-8865)

📍 Google Maps: Open Oyamadairi Park Dog Run in Google Maps

Final Thoughts

Oyamadairi Park's dog run: online registration, a PIN-code gate, and natural woodland ground of dirt and grass inside. For free, there's nothing to complain about. Shibas use the medium/large area, toys are allowed per the banner, and it's an 8-minute walk with stairs from the parking lot. That's everything I wanted to know before going.

What I learned the hard way is that a woodland after rain is mosquito paradise. Bring repellent, and if you can, wait for cooler weather. When the leaves start falling, I'll be back — and this time I'll stay until Momiji says she's done.

One more thing: this registration is shared across 12 Tokyo Metropolitan parks. One application also gets you into the dog runs at Sakuragaoka Park, Jindai Botanical Garden and the rest, so those are next on the list. It's a very different dog run from the one at Yokohama's Umi-no-Koen we visited this summer — this one is all woods.