In this post, I’ll introduce two great spots near Tokyo: Moomin Valley Park and Seibuen Amusement Park.
Both make an easy day trip from Tokyo, combining nature and theme parks. With the Moomin Valley Park Ticket and Travel Pass, you can save on transport and travel efficiently.
1. Getting to Moomin Valley Park From Ikebukuro
First, head to the Seibu Tourist Information Center at Ikebukuro Station.
Seibu Railway trains depart from Seibu-Shinjuku and Ikebukuro stations. Tickets bought online must be exchanged at the Seibu Tourist Information Center Ikebukuro, and you’ll need your passport, though a copy or photo also works.
From Ikebukuro, Hanno Station, the closest to the park, is about 38 minutes by Laview limited express or 47 minutes by express train. I recommend the Laview for its big windows and comfortable interior. Note that the Laview requires a separate surcharge. From Hanno Station, it’s another 13 minutes by bus to the park.
2. Moomin Valley Park Ticket and Travel Pass
The Moomin Valley Park Ticket and Travel Pass is popular with foreign visitors. It covers unlimited rides on all Seibu lines, the round-trip bus between Hanno Station and the park, and Moomin Valley Park admission.
You exchange it at the Seibu Tourist Information Center at Ikebukuro, where Korean-language help is also available. I booked online in advance and exchanged it there.
The exchange was simple, and we boarded a Seibu train right away.
At the ticket gate, staff stamp the pass with the date of use, and after that you just show it to ride.
The pass covers all transport from Tokyo to Moomin Valley Park, making planning much easier, and it lets you explore small towns near Tokyo on a day trip.
Its biggest advantage is that park admission is included, so there’s no need to buy entry and transport separately. All Seibu lines except the Tamagawa Line are covered, which saves a lot on fares.
3. The Laview Limited Express
The Laview is Seibu Railway’s newest limited express and makes a trip near Tokyo feel special.
The cabin is spacious and comfortable, perfect for enjoying the view.
The small-town scenery along the way has its own charm.
The ride feels like part of the trip rather than just transport, and the Laview can be a highlight in itself.
4. First Stop: Moomin Valley Park
From Hanno Station, take the bus to Moomin Valley Park.
We were lucky to catch a bus decorated with Moomin illustrations.
Moomin Valley Park recreates Moominvalley, home of the Moomin family and friends, and it’s a must for Moomin fans.
Walking through nature is the park’s biggest charm, with birdsong and wind in the trees.
From the Moomin House onward, Moomin characters greet you everywhere, and the blend of nature and Moomin stories is so calming.
Fans will love the shows, photo time with Moomin and even getting an autograph.
We got hungry and ate at a restaurant inside the park.
There’s a kids’ menu, so no worries about feeding little ones, and the food was tasty and cutely plated.
The restaurant is decorated with Moomin illustrations, which makes it fun to look around.
Yans headed straight for the gift shop.
It’s full of adorable Moomin character goods, and I wanted a plush toy myself.
Yans chose a birthday key ring matching his birthday, and it’s so cute.
The park has many exhibits and activities based on the Moomin stories, and its size is just right for a slow stroll.
After plenty of time at Moomin Valley Park, we headed to Seibuen Amusement Park on the Seibu Line, and again we just showed the pass at the gate.
5. Second Stop: Seibuen Amusement Park
Seibuen is themed on 1960s Japan, and its Yuhi no Oka shopping street recreates the era beautifully. Note that Seibuen admission is not included in the Moomin Valley Park pass.
It’s filled with scenes from the Showa era, when Japan was at its most prosperous.
The retro atmosphere everywhere made it fun to explore. After its renewal, the park has become popular with young Japanese visitors dressed in retro fashion.
Staff in period outfits stroll the streets, making it feel like you’ve traveled back in time. There are musical-style street performances too, and we arrived just in time for one.
A must at Seibuen is Godzilla The Ride.
It’s a thrilling 4D attraction that alternates between Ultraman and Godzilla versions depending on the time.
The Godzilla version we saw had movie-level quality, and you can enjoy it without knowing Japanese.
For food, I recommend the cafe in the park.
It serves colorful retro desserts that recall the era.
We ordered a mango parfait and pudding, and they looked gorgeous.
Yans especially loved them, and everything at the cafe was delicious.
Seibuen has a good variety of rides, so it’s great for kids too.
The park is just the right size for a full day trip from Tokyo. Moomin Valley Park and Seibuen make every moment of a day near Tokyo memorable. Use the Moomin Valley Park Ticket and Travel Pass to save on transport and enjoy nature and theme parks in one day, keeping in mind that Seibuen admission is separate. Escape the bustle of Tokyo and enjoy Japan’s small towns and theme parks.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in September 2024 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.