What other travelers are saying about Moominvalley Park
The park is tucked far back into the park so be ready for a walk into the gate for the park proper. The walk however is beautiful and there are plenty of views on the way in. Also be aware that if you are disabled and need a disability device that there is a priority shuttle that you can ask for since there is a steep hill at the entrance to the area. They only will take the disabled person so you may need to walk the device down the hill and down to the park gate. For the return trip, you should speak to the park staff or the information center staff at the bottom of the hill. This helped our group immensely.
The park itself is beautiful with many picture points and even many of the characters coming out to dance and take pictures with everyone. The Moomin House and the small outdoor displays are the highlight of the trip. They also have a cafe and a restaurant that offer themed food and drinks. We suggest you try the Cheese Balls if you have the chance. They are sweet and savory in just the right balance. For dessert we suggest you try Mama Moomin’s Cream Puff which has apples in it.
The gift shop is just across from the restaurant and is filled with all sorts of goods and souvenirs. Near the stairs in the back are also some Gatcha machines so don’t miss those. There is a change machine for ¥500, ¥5000, and ¥1000 so don’t worry if you haven’t saved up your ¥100 coins!
This is not a bad place to visit, but price should be at least twice lower for the experience that you can get here. Simply here is not so much to see. In general prices are pretty high (even for the drinks in the vendor machine).
I would recommend this place for those who really likes the characters, otherwise there are a lot other places there the money can be spent more wisely.
NOTE: after 16:30 price for the entry ticket is almost twice lower, so in case you still want to go there, it is good chance.
my bestie who lives here in Japan would NOT stop raving about this place. She's a total Moomin superfan, so I was beyond excited to finally see what the hype was about.
But let me tell you, the vibe was totally killed by one of your shop employees.
First scene: We go into the first shop (not the one by the restaurant), and my friend tries to buy me a souvenir. She shows her annual pass, and this cashier—with a short ponytail, on the curvier side—just shuts her down with "You can't use it like that." Her tone was so unnecessarily sassy? We were so confused we just left.
BUT WAIT, IT GETS BETTER.
Later, we swing by the same shop and see they only have about 10 of those "Ichiban Kuji" lottery tickets left. As I'm holding them, about to ask if I can just buy the rest, the SAME employee from before SEES US. She marches out from behind the counter, basically SNATCHES the tickets from my hand, and says, "We're not selling these now." When we asked why, all she gave us was, "I need to check the quantity."
EXCUSE ME? Since when do you stop a paying customer from giving you money? I travel all over, and I have NEVER experienced anything like this. My Japanese friend was MORTIFIED. She kept saying how embarrassed she was that this was my introduction to Japanese customer service, which is supposed to be legendary.
I came here expecting a magical experience, and instead, I got a scene straight out of a high school movie. Your park is cute, but this was just... tacky. You need to have a serious talk with your staff. I'm honestly so disappointed for my friend, who loves this place so much.
Fix it.
You could say it's a bit expensive if you pay the full price, but you can find it cheaper online. The whole place looks amazing and it's filled with lots of attractions. The exposition held at the time was wonderful as i was able to learn a lot about this fantastic world. I was also able to read some of the books so i'm really glad i went there. It's not a place for everybody but its doors are always open to you.
Absolutely wonderful park. We had a great time exploring the world of moomin valley and the museum exhibition was excellent. Definitely recommend a vist!
Moominvalley Park in Hanno, Saitama is open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (hours may vary seasonally). Park admission is free, but paid attractions like Moominhouse Museum cost 1,500 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children. Combination tickets for multiple attractions are available at discounted rates.
Take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line from Tokyo to Hanno Station (about 50 minutes), then board the Seibu Bus bound for Metsa Village. The bus ride takes approximately 13 minutes. Total travel time from central Tokyo is about 90 minutes. Day passes combining train and bus transportation are available.
Top attractions include the Moominhouse Museum, Kokemus exhibition building with interactive displays, Emma's Theatre for live shows, and the Flying Zip Line Adventure. Don't miss the Moomin character meet-and-greets, themed restaurants, and the beautiful lakeside walking trails around Lake Miyazawa.
Yes, Moominvalley Park appeals to adults with its Nordic design, peaceful lakeside setting, and nostalgic Moomin storylines. Many adult visitors enjoy the park's Instagram-worthy scenery, themed cafes, shopping for exclusive Moomin merchandise, and the tranquil forest atmosphere perfect for relaxation.
Moominvalley Park is family-friendly with stroller rentals, nursing rooms, and children's play areas. Book attraction tickets in advance online to avoid disappointment. Pack weather-appropriate clothing as much of the park is outdoors. Consider visiting on weekdays to avoid crowds, and allow a full day to experience all attractions comfortably.
