New 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' Spot Opens at Washinmura in Futtsu, Chiba, Where Dogs and Cats Watch Over Your 'Bonds'

At 'Washinmura,' a satoyama glamping village in Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, a new spot called 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' has been created to give shape to your thoughts. It is located on the fence of the dog garden. Whether it's an anniversary for couples, a trip with friends, gratitude to family, support for a beloved 'oshi' (favorite character/idol), or even a 'see you again' message to an animal you met at Washinmura, you can leave your feelings from your trip right there, watched over by the animals of Washinmura. ■ About the Launch Commemorative Campaign: 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' is a commemorative spot where you can usually use a heart-shaped padlock for 1,000 yen each. You can choose your favorite color, and freely write your name, date, message, or wishes. For those who want a more special memento, a laser engraving option is also available. To commemorate the launch, we are giving away one heart-shaped padlock per group to customers staying on weekdays in June and July. [Campaign Overview] Target: Customers staying on weekdays in June and July 2026. Benefit: One heart-shaped padlock per group. How to use: Please inform the front desk at check-in. *Laser engraving is an additional 500 yen. ■ Background: You want to leave the time spent on your trip in a tangible form, not just in photos. At Washinmura, we have received feedback from overnight and day-trip guests saying, 'I want to commemorate the time I spent here' and 'I want to give shape to my memories with the animals.' According to a survey on 'What you seek in travel' released by JTB Tourism Research & Consulting in May 2025, 'creating memories' ranked at 39.1% and 'extraordinary experiences' at 38.4%. The newly established 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' is a new commemorative spot that responds to the desire to 'leave memories of the trip in a tangible form.' It is designed not just as a place to hang a padlock, but as a place where the animals living in Washinmura watch over the bonds of visitors. ■ About 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' watched by dogs and cats: 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' is a spot installed on the outer wall of the dog-only area at Washinmura. While common 'love padlock' spots are often found on observation decks or bridges, Washinmura's 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' is located near the area where the dogs live. At Washinmura, rescued cats, dogs, goats, and silky chickens live their daily lives at their own pace. By leaving your bond with loved ones in the place where these animals are, it becomes a commemorative spot for bonds watched over by animals, born precisely because Washinmura is a place where humans, animals, and nature coexist. ■ Not just for romance: Bonds with family, friends, your 'oshi,' and Washinmura's 'favorite animals': 'Love padlocks' often have an image of being for couples. However, 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' is not just for romance. You can freely leave feelings you want to cherish, such as promises between friends, gratitude to family, wedding anniversaries, birthdays, travel memories, thoughts for beloved pets, and support for the 'oshi' who supports your daily life. Furthermore, a unique way to use it at Washinmura is to leave a 'bond between you and your favorite animal at Washinmura.' Rescued cats, dogs, goats, and silky chickens live at Washinmura at their own pace. To the cat that quietly came near you during your stay, the dog that left an impression during a walk, or your favorite animal you want to see again—'I'll come back to see you,' 'Stay healthy,' 'Thank you for today.' You can put such words into the heart-shaped padlock. In the weekday stay campaign for June and July, we will give one heart-shaped padlock per group. Whether it's your first time or you are a repeat visitor, you can give shape to the time spent with people and animals you met that day. 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' will gradually grow as a place that connects not only human-to-human bonds but also human-to-'oshi,' human-to-animal, and human-to-satoyama time. You can write names, dates, and messages on the heart-shaped padlocks. As colorful padlocks gradually increase, small stories of visitors will accumulate on the outer wall of the dog area. Finding the padlock you hung when you visit Washinmura again is one of the ways to enjoy this spot. ■ Laser engraving also supported: For those who want to leave a more special memento, we have also prepared a laser engraving service. You can engrave your own designs, illustrations, messages, anniversary dates, initials, etc., on the heart-shaped padlock. Compared to writing freely with an oil-based pen, laser engraving can be used as a longer-lasting memento. It is an option that can be used in various situations, such as anniversaries for couples, trips with friends, family trips, memories with beloved pets, graduation trips, and birthday trips. You can leave the thoughts and gratitude exchanged during your trip as a one-of-a-kind padlock in the world. ■ Time with animals living at Washinmura: Since its opening in July 2020, Washinmura has been operated as a satoyama glamping village where 'humans, animals, and nature coexist.' The rescued cats that were saved during the preparation process are now symbolic existences of Washinmura. Videos of the cats have recorded 4.8 million views on Instagram, which became a major trigger for people to know about Washinmura. At Washinmura, cats, dogs, goats, and silky chickens live at their own pace. Guests spend the same satoyama time while feeling their presence during their stay. 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' is an extension of that time. Spending time near the animals and giving shape to important thoughts while feeling their existence. It is an experience of leaving bonds with a sense of distance unique to Washinmura. ■ Usage Overview: Name: Wari-Kizuna-Jo. Content: A dedicated spot where you can hang heart-shaped padlocks. Location: Dog house area within Washinmura. Target: Washinmura overnight guests, day-trip BBQ & sauna users. Sales location: Washinmura front desk. Regular price: Heart-shaped padlock 1,000 yen/piece. Writing: Can be filled in freely with the provided oil-based pen. Laser engraving: Paid option +500 yen. Engraving content: Designs, illustrations, messages, dates, initials, etc., brought by the customer. [Notes on use] - Please speak to the staff if you wish to have laser engraving. - Depending on the engraving content or design format, we may not be able to accommodate it. - Since the animals live freely, they are not always nearby. - Please do not force yourself to approach or chase the animals. - Washinmura does not accept entry with pets from September 2025. - You can leave thoughts for your beloved pet on a padlock, but you cannot bring your pet to the village. - The range available for day-trip use is limited to the guidance range of each day-trip plan. ■ About Washinmura: Washinmura is a satoyama glamping village spreading over about 3,000 tsubo of satoyama in Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, where humans, animals, and nature coexist. In July 2020, the owner couple developed the devastated land and renovated a 200-year-old traditional folk house to open it. Currently, it offers multiple accommodation experiences that harmonize with the satoyama landscape, such as traditional folk houses, Nagayamon glamping, authentic tents from the Nordic brand Nordisk, and 'Jubako' co-developed by Kengo Kuma and Snow Peak. On the premises, rescued cats, dogs, goats, and silky chickens live at their own pace. The newly established 'Wari-Kizuna-Jo' will be nurtured as a spot where the thoughts of visitors and the time of the satoyama where the animals live accumulate in one place. ■ Facility Overview: Facility Name: Washinmura. Operating Company: Washinmura Co., Ltd. Location: 14 Takamizo, Futtsu City, Chiba 299-1733. Access: About 15 minutes by car from Futtsu-Chuo IC on the Tateyama Expressway, about 70-90 minutes by car from Tokyo, about 15 minutes by car from Kazusa-Minato Station on the JR Uchibo Line. Official Website: https://www.washinmura.jp/. Instagram: @washinmura_nature_glamping