Halloween Night in the Forest is an annual autumn night illumination event in Shinrin Park, also known as the Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park. It is the first of three illumination events the park holds each year. Unlike the autumn illumination event that is held in November, this event is only held on weekends and public holidays. It is particularly popular with families thanks to the Halloween decorations.
Half a million lights are used for the Halloween themed illumination, and there are also large pumpkins displayed around the central gate. The illumination stretches for about a kilometer from the central gate to the arboretum. The central gate and central gate parking extend their hours for the occasion, but all other gates are closed at regular closing hours. Normally, they run several other events during the period of the illumination, like workshops or face painting.
The event itself is free, but adults have to pay to get into the park (¥450). Children can enter the park for free.
Getting there
By public transport: There is a free shuttle bus from Shinrinkoen station, on the Tobu Tojo line, on the nights the Halloween illumination is on. From Shinrin Koen Station the bus times are 17:30, 18:30 and 19:30. From the central gate back to the station the times are 18:00, 19:00, 20:05 and 20:35.
By car: The central gate parking lot is open until 9 pm on the nights the illumination is on.
Lynda Hogan @lynda.hogan
Lynda has been in Japan for 20 years and blogging about Saitama on her personal blog insaitama.com for 14 of them. Despite its central location, just North of Tokyo, Saitama is still quite unknown to the international tourist, but frequented by domestic travelers. It is a great place to experien...
