Have you ever imagined a world where teddy bears play the role of humans? That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Teddy Bear Eco Village in Takayama, Japan.
This enchanting place is a treasure trove of lessons and wonders, cloaked in the innocent charm of teddy bears!
Teddy Bear Eco Village Details
- Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm). Closed on Wednesdays
- Cost: 1000 JPY (adults), 600 JPY (children)
- Location: 📍 Teddy Bear Eco Village – Google Maps
- Parking: Free parking in the front of the building
Takayama Teddy Bear Museum
Ever wondered what the world would look like if humans were teddy bears?
The Teddy Bear Eco Village is not only a place for kids, but there are so many deeper meanings as well. It’s a place where children and adults alike can learn about world issues and history in a non-abrasive, cute, fun way.
Never did we think that we would learn so many life lessons through the eyes of teddy bears!
At times, you’ll be in awe at the sheer creativity. Other times, you may feel a little sad. You might feel your heartstrings pulled at a little bit.
Overall, the Takayama Teddy Bear Eco Village is an interesting and fun experience. There are tons of photo opportunities and even some animatronics.
One thing to note is that the teddy bears are collected from all over the world. There are miniature dancing bears, Patagonia hiking bears, and eco bears that remind you to take care of the planet.
We think that this is an excellent place to bring children, where they can not only marvel at the cute displays but also learn about how we can better take care of our planet.
Related Article: The BEST Things to Do in Takayama: The Ultimate Itinerary
How to Get to Teddy Bear Eco Village
The Teddy Bear Eco Village is located in Takayama, Gifu, Japan.
The address is: 3 Chome-829-4 Nishinoisshikimachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0031, Japan
The best way to get to the Teddy Bear Eco Village is to catch the Sarubobo Bus from the Takayama Nohi Bus Terminal. The Sarubobo Bus runs twice every hour.
Alternatively, you can walk to the Teddy Bear Eco Village, it’s about a 25-minute walk from Takayama Station.
We recommend going to Teddy Bear Eco Village after visiting Hida Folk Village. They are near each other, and you can walk to Teddy Bear Eco Village from Hida Folk Village.
Our Experience at Teddy Bear Eco Village
Upon entering, we were welcomed by the friendly staff, and they handed us a pamphlet to the village.
Our journey began with miniature bears showcasing a myriad of cultures – from Renaissance artistry to Japanese street food.
Then, we were greeted by a colossal bear perfect for photos! It was such a striking contrast to the miniature bear displays.
But it’s not all just cute and fun. As we walked further through the village, the exhibits began to mirror our world, showcasing bears donated from around the globe, each telling a story, and uniting us in our diversity.
One exhibit, in particular, focusing on recycling and garbage consumption, struck a chord. If you look closely, the brand labels don’t look the same anymore! It’s a subtle reminder of the enduring nature of our environmental challenges, despite the passing years.
There are also some pop culture teddy bears sprinkled in there, such as a Michael Jackson teddy bear. It makes you think about how old some of these teddy bears are, and like taking a step back in time.
The animatronic bears add a touch of joy and lightness. It’s honestly the perfect thing to see after looking at the eco bears and the grim outlook of our planet.
And what would a Teddy bear museum be without a collection of teddy bears? The eco village has a large collection of teddy bears from the last 100 years, so you can see what teddy bears were in the times of your grandparents.
Our journey culminated in a bear-themed wedding chapel, complete with life-size bride and groom teddy bears.
These bears reminded us of ourselves and the important life milestones that people experience.
Where to Stay in Takayama
We stayed at both a traditional Ryokan and a Western-style hotel during our visits to Takayama. Both were exceptionally wonderful, super clean, and comfortable.
Here are the places we stayed at in Takayama and our recommendations:
- Hostel Murasaki – Japanese-style ryokan: Staying in this ryokan gives you that traditional feeling like you’re in old Japan. It is also budget-friendly. The ryokan has a shared kitchen so you can cook your food and a large living room to meet other travelers.
- Koko Hotel – Western-style hotel: This hotel is a new and modern accommodation. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but a bit on the smaller side, which is normal for Japan. The lounge area in the hotel’s lobby opens up in the afternoon, so you’re free to sit and work there and enjoy free drinks.
- Hotel Wood – A cross between a traditional Japanese ryokan and a modern hotel. Located right in Takayama’s scenic old town district.
Our Free Takayana Google Maps Locations
Do you need a handy map with all our Takayama locations? We’ve got a Google Map with all the Takayama locations in this post (plus a LOT more). Sign up in the box below and we’ll deliver it right to your inbox, plus our top tips to help you plan your Takayama adventure.
Are You Following Our Takayama Blog Series?
We’ve been to Takayama three times and found so many awesome things to do there. To help you plan your trip to Takayama, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our Ultimate Guide to Takayama: 17 Awesome Things to Do in Takayama
- How to plan your trip to Takayama: Takayama 2 Day Itinerary
- Our Takayama accomodation guide: Where to Stay in Takayama: Guide to the Best Areas and Hotels
- We attended Takayama Spring Festival and put together a guide to help you navigate the crowds: Takayama Festival: Our Complete Guide
- Our favorite hike in Takayama: Higashiyama Walking Course
I hope you enjoyed our guide to the Teddy Bear Eco Village in Takayama! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
