Hyogo Park of Oriental White Stork

The effort of reintroducting Oriental White Stork into the Wild

The Oriental White Stork was once a native species in Japan. However, in 1971, the last wild Oriental White Stork disappeared from Japan's skies. To address this, Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture established a breeding and research facility to start breeding and raising storks in captivity.

In 1999, the Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork was established as a specialized institution dedicated to researching the reintroduction of the Oriental White Stork into the wild. In 2005, the successful reintroduction of Oriental White Storks into the wild was achieved for the first time. Presently, approximately 350 Oriental White Storks gracefully soar in the skies of Toyooka. Efforts are ongoing to preserve their habitat.

A place for couples wishing to have children

The park includes the Konotori Hall, where visitors can explore the stork's reintroduction history and learn more about Toyooka's ecosystem. Inside the hall, guests can observe captive-bred Oriental White Storks up close.

A popular photo spot is the model of a stork nest. For couples hoping to conceive, sitting on the nest and mimicking the act of warming an egg might just bring good luck in welcoming a baby! It is believed that encountering an Oriental White Stork brings good fortune in love and children.

Beyond that, the park serves as a wonderful family destination. Within the culture pavilion, visitors can explore dioramas showcasing the local ecosystem, the life cycle of the Oriental White Stork, and engage in various activities designed for younger children. While admission to the park and culture pavilion is free, donations are appreciated.

For further information, please access the official website: https://visitkinosaki.com/oriental-white-stork/