The Saitama Museum of Rivers started celebrating Halloween when my children were small, so around ten years ago. They had a break between 2019 and 2021, due to a typhoon and then the pandemic. However, since last year (2022) they are celebrating the occasion again! In 2023 they will have Halloween events on four different dates (see information section).
Kawahaku Halloween
In Japanese the Saitama Museum of Rivers is Kawa no Hakubutsukan. It is nicknamed / called Kawahaku for short. For people who come to the Saitama Museum of Rivers in costume on the four select days of Halloween, they will get a present. They don’t specify what that present is this year. In a previous year, it was a free ticket for the Adventure Theatre.
The official website has not yet been updated, as of September 1st 2023, but the prefecture has confirmed the dates. They usually have five events. Generally, children in costume who participate in all five Halloween events get a present from the museum.
The usual events are:
- A Halloween stamp rally
- Halloween photo spot
- Halloween craft – this year its Halloween costumes
- Spot the difference
- Find the mascot – the museum’s mascot “Kawashirou” is dressed up as a witch and hiding in the museum
Information
Venue: 1st floor river hall of the Saitama Museum of Rivers, 39 Kozono, Yorii, Osato District, Saitama 369-1217. View on Google Maps.
Dates:
- Saturday October 21st
- Sunday October 22nd
- Saturday October 28th and
- Sunday October 29th
Cost: The events have no additional cost, but you do have to pay into the museum. It costs 410 yen for adults and 200 yen for high school students. The museum is free in for children under 15 years old, but they do have to pay if they want to play in the waku waku land or enter the adventure theater. More detailed information about the facilities here.
Access
For those coming by car the phone number for your Satnav is 048-581-733 or the address is 39 Kozono, Yorii Town, Saitama. It is 7 minutes from the Hanazono exit of the Kanetsu expressway. Parking is 300 yen for the day.
By train, alight at the Hachigata Station on the Tobu Tojo Line. The museum is a 20 minute walk from the station. If you are coming from Yorii station, you can get a taxi to the museum. Its about seven minutes to the museum in a taxi.
Official event page for 2022, the 2023 page is not yet ready as of September 1st.
The Saitama Museum of Rivers is beside the Kawasemigawara barbecue and campsite. In nearby Fukaya there is usually an Halloween event on one day that the Kawahaku events are on.
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hard to believe it’s already that time of year~!