English Information

Welcome to YATSUHIGATA. English Information.

Profile of YATSUHIGATA

In the extreme end of the Tokyo Bay, an un-reclaimed Tideland of 40 hectares is left which is now called as “The Yatsu Higata”. Sea water comes in and out with the ebb and flow of the bay. Large numbers and different kinds of shorebird and migratory bird come here each season. They are giving tremendous relaxation to the community in the midst of the urban area. The Yatsu Higata was designated as an official site of Ramsar Convention in 1993.

History of YATSUHIGATA

In 1898, it was a shoal beach and was used for salt manufacturing. In 1924, Keisei Rail Road (Keisei Dentetsu) reclaimed the area and made a play land “Yatsu Play Land”. The remaining shore served for swimming and calm fishing. The community had great fun out of it. In 1979, Tokyo Bay Reclamation Project encroached the shore and the Yatsu Higata came to be in danger of land development. Groups and community people stood against for its protection. In 1984, the conservation of the Yatsu Higata was then included in the construction project of local area public facility. Later in 1988, the Yatsu Higata was designated as the National Wildlife Protection Area, in 1982, the Yatsu Play Land was closed due to the opening of the Disney Land in the nearby town. In 1993, the Yatsu Higata was designated as THE RAMSAR SITE by “The 5th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands”. In 1994, Observation Center was opened. In 1996, the Yatsu Higata joined to “The East Asian and Australaisian Shore Bird Reserve Network” in the 6th Conference in Brisbane. In 1997, Narashino City enacted “The day of Yatsu Higata” for celebration of the Yatsu Higata conservation. In 1998, Narashino City and Brisbane City Council agreed to “The Affiliation Agreement of Their Wetland Conservation”.

• Narashino and Brisbane 20th Anniversary

Nature Observation Center and its Tasks

• Environmental Education which the Center advocates is the importance of nature and the wild life to the public.
• Call the attention of community to participate in the volunteer activities in Guide, Event, Nature rehabilitation etc.
• Cooperation with other organizations and groups for the Conservation of Tidal flats and the Preservation of shorebirds.
• International Exchange and Network Project with other cities abroad such as Brisbane through networks for the migrating shorebirds and the nature.

Nature in YATSUHIGATA

During the flow tide, the tidal flat is in the water (approx. 1m). During the ebb tide, the tidal frat appears. The tidal flat in connected to the Tokyo Bay through two canals, and the water flows in and out. So many shorebirds gather and feed themselves. So many creatures are inhabiting such as crabs and invertebrates on which the birds live.

Shorebirds in YATSUHIGATA

Throughout a year, we can see many kinds of birds here. Seasonally there come huge number of seasonal migratory birds. For the shorebirds flying between Siberia and Australia, the Yatsu Higata is their important intermediate rest place after and before their long journey.

Creatures in YATSUHUGATA

For birds, this is a big treasure house of little creatures. There are invertebrates, crabs and shells. The Yatsu Higata is a mud flat. Crabs and clams inhabit here because they prefer mud-environment. Worms are very important as feed of the migratory shorebirds and other water fowls.

Volunteer Activities in YATSUHUGATA

Yatsu Higata Nature Observation Center manages volunteer activities. There are about 20 types of activities. For example, botanical investigation, observation for children, mowing in the pond and so on.

• If you want to know more, please click here.

Bird calendar

Nearly 60 kinds of birds are seen here in total through out a year. In spring, migratory birds heading for their breeding drop here. In summer, birds do baby care, and the summer birds fly in. In autumn, migratory birds heading for wintering drop in. Amongst them, young birds come for their Virgin Flights. In winter, the winter birds come. The season is for bird watching.

• Resident Birds
  Little Grebe, Common Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Spot-billed Duck, Moorhen, Common Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt
• Summer Birds
  Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Gull, Little Tern
• Winter Birds
  Common Teal, Gadwall, European Wigeon, Pintail, Common Shoveller, European Pochard, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-headed Gull
• Transient Birds
  Mongolian Plover, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Rufous-necked Sandpiper, Dunlin, Great Knot, Greenshank, Grey tailed Tattler, Terek Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Curlew, Whimbrel

Information for visitors to the Observation Center

Open

Tuesday to Sunday
9:00 to 17:00 (Enter before 16:30)

Close

Mondays (If national holiday falls on a Monday, the Center is closed on the following Tuesday), December 28th to January 1st.

Admission Fee

Tickets are valid for the day
Adults and High school students 380 yen
65 years and above 190 yen
Elementary and Junior High School students free
Groups (30 people or more) 20% OFF
Passport card is available. (The term of the validity one year)
Passport card for Adults and High School students 1900 yen
Passport card for 65 years and above 950 yen.

Information for visitors to the Observation Center

By Train

[VIA JR SOUBU LINE]
Station Tsudanuma. Please take a bus at the south side of the Station.
Bus (No. 10) to "Tsudanuma Koukou". 10 min. walk toward the West.
Bus (No. 9) to "Yatsu Higata" (Terminal stop) 15 min. walk toward the South.

[VIA JR KEIYO LINE]
Station Minami Funabashi. North side of the Station.
Walk across the road via fly-over.
20 min. walk toward the East.

[VIA JR KEIYO LINE]
Station Shin-Narashino. North side of the Station.
Walk across the road via fly over
20 min. walk toward the West.

[VIA KEISEI LINE]
Station Yatsu. South side of the Station.
Walk across the road via fly over
30 min. walk toward the South.
(Through the shopping road and along the periphery of the tidal flat.)

By Car

Parking lot accommodates 100 cars.

[VIA ROUTE 14]
Turn to the south at the intersection with the road south of JR Tsudanuma
Right Turn to the West at the route 357.
U-turn to the East at Wakamatsu Intersection.
Parking gate on the left after 1 km.

[VIA ROUTE 357 from the West (Tokyo)]
Pass the intersection Wakamatsu.
Parking gate on the left after 1 km.

[VIA ROUTE 357 from the East. (Narita)]
U-turn at the intersection Wakamatsu.
Parking gate on the left after 1 km.

[Wangan (Bayshore) Highway from the West (Tokyo)]
Leave the Highway at the interchange (Chidori chou).
Follow ROUTE 357 from the West. (above 2.)

[Wangan (Bayshore) Highway from the East (Narita)]
Leave the Highway at the interchange (Wangan Chiba).
Follow ROUTE 357 from the East. (above 3.)

• Access to Yatsu Higata Nature Observation Center

Address

YATSU HIGATA NATURE OBSERBATION CENTER
5-1-1, Akitsu, Narahino City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Post Code 275-0025
Tel 047-454-8416 Fax 047-452-2494