Musashi-Kyuryo National Government Park (国営武蔵丘陵森林公園) in Namegawa Town, Saitama Prefecture, is holding the light-up and illumination event "Hikari to Mori no Story" (光と森のStory) in its Central Entrance Area (中央口エリア). The event is a large-scale illumination spread over three chapters themed on Halloween, autumn leaves, and Christmas. As the second chapter, "Momiji-mi Night" (紅葉見ナイト) runs from November 14 to 29. The venue features about 550,000 lights and color lighting. New decorations added since the first chapter include the "Sogetsu School installation" (草月流インスタレーション), which turns thinned timber and other materials from the park into art, Japanese umbrella (wagasa) objects, and ornaments made by the art club of Namegawa Town's Namegawa Junior High School (滑川町立滑川中学校).
One of the main highlights is the autumn foliage of about 500 maple trees of about 20 varieties planted around the Maple Garden (カエデ園). The maples turn red, yellow, and orange, as well as a color close to pink, and are lit with warm-colored lights.
Visitors can savor the lingering impression of the vivid daytime autumn leaf viewing, then be surrounded by the fantastical lit scenery that only the night brings, a second way to enjoy autumn leaves.
The autumn leaves overall are forecast to be at their best from around Wednesday, November 18 to Wednesday, November 25.
Event Details
- Event name: Hikari to Mori no Story, Chapter 2: Momiji-mi Night (光と森のStory 第二章 紅葉見ナイト)
- Dates: November 14 (Saturday) to November 29 (Sunday), 2026. The event is canceled in rain, with an announcement on the park website at 2:00 PM on the day.
- Hours: 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM (last entry 8:00 PM)
- Location: Central Entrance Area, from the Central Entrance through the Maple Garden to the Botanical Garden (中央口エリア、中央口からカエデ園を通り植物園まで)
- Admission: Free. Park admission and parking fees are charged separately.
- Shuttle bus: On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the event period, a paid direct shuttle bus runs from Shinrin-Koen Station (森林公園駅).
- Event page: Hikari to Mori no Story, Chapter 2: Momiji-mi Night
Drone footage from a past event (YouTube)
Show Schedule
- モーリーキャッスルショー「漆黒の魔女と紅蓮の騎士」 (castle show, "The Witch in Jet Black and the Knight in Crimson", about 10 minutes): 4:30 PM to 8:15 PM, held every 25 minutes. The last show starts at 8:15 PM.
- Botanical Rhythm Session (Plants × Light × Music) (about 5 minutes): 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM, held at 00, 15, 30, and 45 minutes past each hour. The last show starts at 8:00 PM.
- Maple Rhythm Session (Maples × Light × Music) (about 4 minutes): 4:40 PM to 8:10 PM, held at 10, 25, 40, and 55 minutes past each hour. The last show starts at 8:10 PM.
The Illumination
Suitable for a first illumination experience
A setting where children can enjoy themselves with peace of mind
Decorations that make use of natural shapes
About Musashi-Kyuryo National Government Park
Musashi-Kyuryo National Government Park is the first national government park in Japan. It opened as part of a commemorative project honoring the achievements of the Meiji era, making use of a location that preserves the look of the Musashino landscape. The national government established the park as a fitting commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Meiji era, to secure a place where city residents, who were losing contact with nature, could restore their humanity through greenery.
The park covers an area equal to 65 Tokyo Domes. It has many play structures where families can move their bodies to the full, including Ponpoko Mountain (ぽんぽこマウンテン), one of Japan's largest air trampolines, and athletic courses. The Urban Greening Botanical Garden (都市緑化植物園) also offers seasonal scenery, trees, and flowers.
A rewarding ride on the Cycling Course (サイクリングコース), about 17 km long
Forecast peak autumn leaf season: November 18 (Wednesday) to November 25 (Wednesday)
The Adventure Course (冒険コース), with 24 types of athletic equipment
Ponpoko Mountain (ぽんぽこマウンテン), one of Japan's largest air trampolines
- Address: 1920 Yamada, Namegawa Town, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture 355-0802 (埼玉県比企郡滑川町山田1920)
- Park hours: March 1 to October 31, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM; November 1 to November 30, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM; December 1 to the end of February, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Access (Tobu Tojo Line): From Shinrin-Koen Station (森林公園駅), take a bus from the North Exit bus stop. The bus bound for "Shinrin-Koen Minamiguchi" (森林公園南口行) runs only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and the park is right at the final stop. Get off at "Shinrin-Koen Nishiguchi" (森林公園西口) for a stop right at the park, or at "Namegawa Chugakko" (滑川中学校) and walk about 5 minutes.
- Access (JR Takasaki Line): From Kumagaya Station (熊谷駅), take a bus bound for "Shinrin-Koen" (森林公園行) from the South Exit bus stop and get off at "Shinrin-Koen Nishiguchi" (森林公園西口) or "Shinrin-Koen Minamiguchi Iriguchi" (森林公園南口入口), both right at the park.
- Official website: https://www.shinrinkoen.jp/
- Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musashi.shinrin
- Official X: https://x.com/musashi_shinrin
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shinrinkoen/
- Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1FcHdCltCVbHN86L8HNizg
