Journey to a fairy tale – Tove Jansson Akebono Children's Forest Park [SPOT REPORT]

There is a small place in the Japanese countryside, which actually doesn't look like Japan. Moreover, it's like a small fairy tale world surrounded by beautiful nature. The Tove Jansson Akebono Children's Forest Park opened in 1997 displaying works by author Tove Jansson, who is very famous in Japan and around the world for her Moomin books.

You can reach Akebono Children's Forest Park by the Seibu Ikebukuro Line to Motokaji Station. From the station it is a 20-minute walk to the park, or you can go by car right to the entrance of the park. There are many parking spots available.

The entrance to the garden is free, but it is open only from weekdays 9:00-17:00, weekends 9:00-21:00. During special events like the autumn foliage season you can also enjoy a light up show in the evening.

The park is beautiful in every season but autumn is really the most beautiful. When all the trees are turning yellow/red brown, the small garden really looks like you are in Europe.

There are four different small houses in a very cute Moomin design which can be visited from the inside. All the buildings fit perfectly the atmosphere of the garden.  The small blue round house in the middle of a small pond is especially a great photo spot during the autumn foliage season. When the sun comes out in the morning, the reflection of the house, and the yellow trees behind it, the small pond are so beautiful. You will really feel like you have traveled to the world of the Moomin.

I recommend visiting Akebono Children's Forest Park in the morning for the perfect light, also from lunchtime it gets very crowded. There is a small café in the park where you can get some sandwiches or ice cream but most of the people there are having a picnic around one of the many benches in the park.