Autumn leaves Shinrin Park, also known as Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park, Namegawa Town, Saitama Prefecture. This post is about the autumn colors in Shinrin Park. Information for the autumn leaves light up at night is here.
Autumn Leaves Shinrin Park
THIS POST WAS WRITTEN IN 2013.
I won’t pretend to understand the timing of Autumn Leaves in Japan. The leaves around here have started to fall, but 15 kilometres North West, in Shinrin park, the warm colours are coming into their prime. In theory, as the area is higher ground and further North the leaves should fall before this area…? Regardless, Shinrin park is one of the best places to enjoy Autumn leaves when you have young children.
The leaves have started to change colour, but it will be another week or so until the really vibrant shades can be enjoyed. It is still quite pretty at the moment. The reason I like this park for viewing is that there are plenty of playgrounds to keep the kids entertained while we appreciate the scenery. It is a park that you can spend a full day in with the result it attracts tourists, all year round, from near and far. Many commute from Tokyo and surrounding prefectures to see the leaves and illumination at this time of year. They have a special night-time entry for viewing the leaves with illumination for the month of November and part of December.
Momijigari
Momiji is the Japanese maple tree. Momijigari means autumn leaf viewing. Although, literally it means ‘maple leaf hunting’! The area for the night time illumination is where the momiji maple trees are. They turn a vibrant red. They are in the Kaide garden. But apart from the momiji throughout the park you can see various colors during autumn as you can see in the photos in the gallery.
Depending on the year there may also be coleus in bloom beside the momiji viewing park. In 2020, they were grown for the first time in six years.
General Information
The park is vast, 304 hectares, to put that in perspective; 65 times the size of Tokyo Dome! You can’t bring your own bikes into the park, but you can rent a bike. It is 450 yen to rent an adult bike or mamachari for 3 hours, 200 yen for children. They have designated cycling courses. We saw segways today, too. There is also the park bus that goes between the gates of the park and stops at the popular spots en route.
The adventure playground, giant ball play area and the musashi kids dome are close to each other and its easy to walk between each. However, the “ponpoko mountain”, Japan’s largest trampoline, is at least a 20 minute walk away. You can use one of the afore mentioned modes of transport to go from the play areas at the West entrance to the ponpoko mountain near the central gate.
There are many activities and attractions on offer to people of all ages. Please see the general information post about Shinrin Park for even more information.
Shinrin Park Information
Shinrin Park is what the locals call it, but the official name is Musashi-kyuryo National Park.
| Address: | Saitama, Hiki-gun, Namegawa-machi, Yamata, 1920 |
| Phone: | +81 493-57-2111 |
| Hours: | 9.30 am to 4.30 pm during autumn. Until 8 pm on weekends when there is night illumination. |
| Cost: | 450 adults, children free |
| Online: | Official website english page. |
| Nearest Station: | Shinrin Koen Station on the Tobu Tojo Line. |
Access
Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro Station
From Shinrin-koen Station on the Tobu Tojo Line
Get off at Shinrin-koen Station on the Tobu Tojo Line, and there is a bus stop and taxi stand at the North Exit. It is approx. a 3 km (approx. 40 min.) walk to the Shinrin Park’s South Gate.
Bus: To Shinrin Park South Exit (Running on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays only), Get on the direct bus to Shinrin-koen,and get off at the last stop
To Kumagaya Sta. South Exit and To Rissho Daigaku, for South gate get off at Namerikawa Chugakko, and walk approx. 5 min. For West Gate, Get off at Shinrin-koen West Ent., and it is directly before you
JR Takasaki Line to Kumagaya
From Kumagaya Station on the JR Takasaki Line
Get off at Kumagaya Station on the JR Takasaki Line, and there is a bus stop at the South Exit.
BUS: To Shinrin-koen Station, For West Gate: Get off at Shinrin-koen West Ent., and it is directly before you. For South Gate: Get off at Shinrin-koen South Ent.,
and it is directly before you
Please visit their website, for information in English and / or to check opening hours, access and entrance and parking fees; https://www.shinrin-koen.go.jp/english/
This post is mainly about the autumn leaves at Shinrin Park. If you are looking for more general information, I recommend reading “Best of Saitama: Shinrin Park” which includes a summary of what is available for families .
Also, if you want more definitive information about the autumn leaves night illumination, this article is specific to that.
It’s a mystery indeed! Just like today’s heat wave 😉
And today again! Loving this weather with the autumnal scenery. 🙂
We went there last Saturday! The park was beautiful and absolutely worth the 400yen fee.
🙂 I asked the kids were they wanted to go today and they said Shinrin! We were only there yesterday so I talked them into Maruyama Park, which is absolutely gorgeous at the moment.