Moominvalley Park

What to know

Moominvalley Park (ムーミンバレーパーク) is a theme park dedicated to the Moomin characters created by Finnish author and artist Tove Jansson. Opened in March 2019 about 40 kilometers northwest of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, it is the first Moomin park outside Finland and immerses visitors in the world of the author and her creations. Among the many Moomin series and movies, a Japanese anime TV series made these hippopotamus-like characters especially popular in Japan.

The park blends nature and entertainment, showcasing how the Moomins live in harmony with their environment. Modeled after the Moomin world, it features four zones along a lakeshore: Welcome Cove at the entrance, Moominvalley with most main attractions, the Kokemus exhibition facility, and the forested Lonely Mountain.

Attractions include the Moominhouse, which you can explore inside, and three theater venues: Little My Play Spot, Oshun Oxtra, and the open-air Emma's Theatre, where shows with main characters are performed.

Kokemus is a three-story museum about the Moomin characters, their stories, development, and author Tove Jansson. An outdoor playground sits atop Lonely Mountain, while small landmarks from Moomin stories are scattered around the park. A zipline ride is available for an extra fee.

Two restaurants, a cafe, and several food stands are inside Moominvalley Park. More dining options are just outside the park (re-entry is allowed). Official Moomin merchandise is sold at various shops, and the store on the ground floor of Kokemus is the world's largest Moomin store.

Outside the paid area lies Metsä Village, which you pass through to reach the park entrance. The village offers Nordic-themed dining and shopping, with chairs for outdoor seating overlooking Lake Miyazawako and the surrounding forest. A few hands-on activities are also available.