Early Jun
Mid Jul

Umbrella Sky at Metsa Village

Forest and Lake and Umbrella

Venue: Metsa When: Early Jun - Mid Jul 2024

Metsa, comprising Metsa Village and Moomin Valley Park, is a Moomin theme park in rural Saitama. However, it can be reached from Tokyo in just over an hour by either public transport or by car. The Umbrella Sky Project is at the main entrance to the theme park.

The Umbrella Sky Project at Metsa is called "Forest, Lake and Umbrella". At the Entrance Road, the umbrellas are backdropped by a lush forest lined with stunning purple geraniums, but you can't actually see the lake until after you have passed the umbrella display. The display is made up of 1000 umbrellas in the varying shades of the rainbow. They cast beautiful colored shadows onto the footpath beneath. The footpath itself is painted in vibrant shades. Together they forge a breathtaking scene.

There is also a smaller display of umbrellas in the Metsa Hall, a craft and workshop area with a view of Miyazawa lake. In 2019, the umbrellas in Metsa Hall are different from those at Entrance Road. They are umbrellas of different shapes and with varying patterns and motifs on them. During the event period in 2019, you could purchase a special limited edition rainbow cheesecake at Lagom, a Smørrebrød restaurant in the market hall. In 2020, information for the crafts and limited food is not yet available, but they are adding a new section of umbrella sky down by the lake.

In 2020 the umbrella sky event is on twice as long as last year. They are currently planning to start on May 15th, but there maybe changes due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The entrance road display will be available to July 26th and the lake side umbrella sky will run until August 30th. The event is free and entrance into Metsa village is free. There is a cover charge to enter Moomin Valley Park. Parking is charged on weekends.

Getting there

By car: Metsa is about a ten minute drive from the Sayama / Hidaka Interchange of the Ken-o expressway. Parking was previously charged and required booking, but the parking is now free on weekdays and booking is no longer required.

By public transport: You can get a bus bound for Metsa from Seibu Ikebukuro's Hanno Station North Exit bus stop 1. There is also a bus from Higashi Hanno Station, which is on the JR Hachiko Line.

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RC Kim 3 years ago
My family and I visited Metsa Village and Moomin Valley Park last year, such a beautiful place! Can't wait to go back. Saitama is underrated as a tourist destination IMO
Lynda Hogan Author 3 years ago
I totally agree. There is so much to do and see here. Next time you come - I recommend the new Tokorozawa Sakura Town where there is an outdoor Teamlab permanent exhibition, an anime hotel, an amazing library and culture museum, a modern "Cool Japan" shrine and so much more. You can read more about them all here: https://insaitama.com/tag/sakura-town/
Kim 4 years ago
Such a fun display! I love it!
Lynda Hogan Author 4 years ago
It was so much prettier than I had expected
Elena Lisina 4 years ago
What a nice view! I regret that I come a bit later in July to catch that.
Elena Lisina 4 years ago
Thank you, Lynda! I bet it's made for rainy season, but in July it's over as I've heard. I'd like to take photos there!
Elizabeth S 4 years ago
What a lovely way to beat the blues in the rainy season.
Lynda Hogan Author 4 years ago
And stay dry at the same time! Actually, in reality, I don't think they would give much protection from the rain, they are too far up.

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