Mori no Halloween Night at Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park
550,000lights (approx.) in a forest park that is normally closed after darkOne of the largest parks in the Kanto region is opening part of its grounds after dark this October. Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park (国営武蔵丘陵森林公園) in Namegawa, Saitama, is holding Mori no Halloween Night (森のハロウィンナイト) on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays from October 11 to 31. The event itself is free, though you still pay regular park admission and any parking fee.
The Parks and Recreation Foundation (一般財団法人 公園財団) announced the event on October 9. Below you will find the essentials, the show schedule, access by train and bus, and a few things to sort out before you go.
What Halloween Night is
Halloween Night is the opening chapter of a larger light-up series called Hikari to Mori no Story (光と森のStory). The series runs in three chapters, each built around a seasonal theme: Halloween, autumn leaves and Christmas. This first chapter takes place in the Central Entrance Area (中央口エリア) of the park.
What sets it apart from city illuminations is the setting. Instead of shopping streets and office towers, the lights are strung through real woodland, flower beds and a maple garden, and you can hear autumn insects as you walk. The organizer pitches it as a night in a forest where fairies and witches live, and visitors are welcome to come in costume.
Key facts at a glance
| Event | Mori no Halloween Night (chapter 1 of Hikari to Mori no Story) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays from Sunday, October 11 to Saturday, October 31 |
| Hours | 17:00–20:30 Last entry 20:00 |
| Weather | Cancelled in rain |
| Venue | Central Entrance Area, Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park |
| Address | 1920 Yamada, Namegawa-machi, Hiki-gun, Saitama 355-0802 |
| Cost | Free to join Park admission and parking charged separately |
| Organizer | Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park (announced by the Parks and Recreation Foundation) |
| Official site | shinrinkoen.jp |
What you will see
The centerpiece is Molly Castle, set inside the fountain in the Central Entrance Plaza. Here a forest fairy named Molly stars in an original story show called Kuroki Utage to Hikari no Tsurugi (黒き宴と光の剣), roughly The Black Feast and the Sword of Light. Colored lighting, smoke and lasers carry the story along.
Two more stops pair light with music. The maple garden hosts Maple Rhythm Session, and the botanical garden flower beds host Botanical Rhythm Session. On top of these, a forest witch puts on her own show with a sweet temptation as its theme.
Between the shows, there is plenty to wander through:
- About 550,000 illumination lights plus colored light-ups across the venue
- Halloween objects such as a giant pumpkin and ghosts
- Art installations
- A tree that talks to passing visitors
Show times
All three main shows are short and repeat through the evening, so you can catch each of them without much waiting if you plan a loop.
| Show | Where | Schedule | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuroki Utage to Hikari no Tsurugi (Molly Castle show) | Fountain in the Central Entrance Plaza | 17:00–20:15 Every 25 minutes until 19:55 Last show at 20:15 | About 10 min |
| Botanical Rhythm Session (plants × light × music) | Botanical garden flower beds | 17:00–20:00 At :00, :15, :30 and :45 Last show at 20:00 | About 4 min |
| Maple Rhythm Session (maples × light × music) | Maple garden | 17:10–20:10 At :10, :25, :40 and :55 Last show at 20:10 | About 3 min |
The announcement does not give times for the forest witch show. Check the official website or the park’s X account for details.
Getting there
The park is served by buses from two stations. Here are the routes listed in the announcement.
| Station | Bus | Get off at |
|---|---|---|
| Shinrin-koen Station (Tobu Tojo Line) North Exit bus stop | Bound for Shinrin Koen South Entrance (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only) | The last stop, right by the entrance |
| Shinrin-koen Station (Tobu Tojo Line) North Exit bus stop | Other buses on the route | Shinrin Koen Nishiguchi (right by the entrance) or Namegawa Chugakko (about a 5-minute walk) |
| Kumagaya Station (JR Takasaki Line) South Exit bus stop | Bound for Shinrin Koen | Shinrin Koen Nishiguchi or Shinrin Koen Minamiguchi Iriguchi (both right by the entrance) |
Tips for planning your evening
- Check the weather first. The event is cancelled in rain. The park posts updates on its X, Instagram and Facebook accounts as well as the official website.
- Mind the 20:00 cutoff. Entry closes at 20:00 even though the lights stay on until 20:30. Arriving close to 17:00 gives you time for every show.
- Build a show loop. The castle show repeats every 25 minutes, while the two rhythm sessions run every 15 minutes, offset by ten minutes. Watch the castle show, then head to the flower beds and the maple garden in between.
- Dress up if you like. Costumes are part of the fun, and the organizer highlights the event as a place where children can enjoy dressing up.
- Keep your phone charged. Night photos drain batteries quickly. If you have a docomo-linked plan, see how d VALUE PASS gives you free ChargeSPOT power bank rentals.
- Dress warmly. It is an outdoor forest venue in late October, and you will be walking between spots.
The park by day
Musashi Kyuryo was the first national government park in Japan. It opened as part of the projects marking 100 years since the start of the Meiji era, and it is about as large as 65 Tokyo Domes. If you are making the trip, the daytime facilities are worth knowing about:
- Ponpoko Mountain (ぽんぽこマウンテン), one of the largest air trampolines in Japan
- Boken Course (冒険コース), with 24 kinds of wooden athletic equipment
- A cycling course of about 17 km
- The urban greening botanical garden, with plants and scenery that change through the seasons
| Mar 1 – Oct 31 | 9:30–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Nov 1 – Nov 30 | 9:30–16:30 |
| Dec 1 – end of Feb | 9:30–16:00 |
These are the regular daytime opening hours. Whether a daytime ticket also covers the evening event is not stated in the announcement, so confirm on the official website if you want to spend the whole day there.
FAQ
- Is Mori no Halloween Night free?
- Joining the event itself is free. Park admission and parking are charged separately, so check the official website for current fees.
- Does the event run in the rain?
- No. It is cancelled in rain, so check the official website or the park’s social media accounts before you leave.
- What are the hours and the last entry time?
- The event runs from 17:00 to 20:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays between October 11 and 31. Last entry is at 20:00.
- Can children come in costume?
- Yes. Dressing up is encouraged, and the organizer presents the event as a place where children can enjoy costumes in a relaxed setting.
- How long are the shows?
- The Molly Castle show lasts about 10 minutes, Botanical Rhythm Session about 4 minutes and Maple Rhythm Session about 3 minutes. All of them repeat through the evening.
Source: Parks and Recreation Foundation press release (October 9, 2026) · Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park official website · Official YouTube. Details may change, so check the official website for the latest information.