The Oriental White Stork became extinct in Japan in 1971, with the last wild individual dying in Toyooka.
The park utilizes a unique 'stork-friendly' farming certification system for rice grown in the area, which mandates reduced chemical use to protect the frogs and loaches that storks eat.
The facility manages a captive population to maintain genetic diversity before releasing birds into the wild.
All wild-born storks in Japan today are descendants of birds originally bred at this facility.
Storks often build massive nests on top of utility poles or specifically constructed platforms in the Toyooka basin.
The park's observation center provides spotting scopes for detailed viewing of the nesting pairs.
Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork is a premier conservation facility in Toyooka dedicated to the reintroduction of the endangered Oriental White Stork into the wild. The park features an observation area where visitors can view storks in both captive breeding enclosures and the surrounding natural wetlands. Extensive hiking trails wind through the rural landscape, allowing for birdwatching and observation of the local ecosystem. The facility serves as the base for the Reintroduction of the Oriental White Stork project, which successfully brought the species back from extinction in the wild in Japan. Interpretive displays in the cultural center explain the biology of the storks and the history of their recovery efforts. The park is integrated into a working agricultural landscape that practices stork-friendly farming, such as pesticide-free rice cultivation. Storks are frequently seen foraging in the surrounding paddies near the park grounds.
The elevated observation deck overlooking the main wetland area provides the best vantage point for photography.
Bring binoculars to observe storks foraging in the distance beyond the main enclosures.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes suitable for gravel paths and grassy trails.
Visit the exhibition hall first to understand the ongoing reintroduction process before heading out to the trails.
Do not attempt to feed any wildlife; avoid wearing bright, neon-colored clothing which may startle the birds.
Closed on Mondays, or the following day if Monday is a national holiday.
Maintain a respectful distance from nesting sites; keep noise levels low to avoid disturbing the birds.
