Tobe Yanson Akebono Children's Forest Park

Tove Jansson Akebono Children's Forest Park opened in 1997, inspired by an exchange of letters with the Nordic fairy-tale writer Tove Jansson. More than 20 years later, it remains a beloved park across generations, with a strong emphasis on creating a space where children and adults alike—and even living creatures and flowers—can respect one another and spend time freely. The grounds are filled with nature and dotted with buildings that seem to have come straight out of a fairy tale, drawing visitors into a fantastical world. On weekends and public holidays, the park is illuminated from sunset until around 9:00 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of “rich darkness” as gentle lights glow in the forest.

The park covers a vast area of about 7.6 hectares, roughly equivalent to 1.6 Tokyo Domes, and contains four main buildings as well as a café. Near the entrance is the “Mushroom House,” whose unique exterior resembles a row of mushrooms. Inside the three-story building are maze-like stairs, small chairs, and spaces like hidden hideouts, allowing children to play while surrounded by the warmth of wood. The architecture makes generous use of Nishikawa lumber, a specialty of Hanno, creating a strong sense of harmony with nature throughout.

Beyond the Mushroom House is Café Puisto, a Nordic-style café with eye-catching blue walls, where visitors can enjoy Nordic dishes and desserts. With a children’s menu and tatami-style seating, it is an ideal place for families to take a break. Nearby is the small “Water Splash Hut” standing on Wanpaku Pond, which visitors can enter by crossing a bridge. Photo spots throughout the park are marked with camera symbols, making it possible to capture memorable shots, such as the hut reflected in the pond.

Further inside is the “Forest House,” distinguished by its wave-like wall made from vertically arranged Japanese cypress logs of Nishikawa lumber. The first floor features an exhibition of materials related to Tove Jansson, while the second floor is a library corner where picture books and related publications can be read freely. Next to it is the “Children’s Theater,” where concerts, performances, seasonal events, and more are held; in the spacious wooden-floored area, children can often be seen running around freely. The roof’s scale-like design is a carefully crafted feature made by artisans who split each stone by hand one by one. All of the buildings in the park are authentic structures that make effective use of natural materials such as wood, iron, and stone.

With its landscape reminiscent of a Nordic fairy tale and its buildings blending into nature, this park is also easily accessible from the nearby Moominvalley Park, making it a relaxing spot where visitors can experience Nordic culture. Tove Jansson, best known for the Moomin series, was internationally acclaimed, winning the Hans Christian Andersen Award, and she also wrote many novels and short stories beyond the Moomins. That rich spirit of creativity lives throughout the park. Please visit this park, where nature, architecture, and storytelling come together in harmony, and experience a world that is uniquely Nordic.