Saitama Museum of Rivers, as the name implies, is a river museum, located in Yorii town. It is home to the largest water mill in Japan. It has a number of facilities available under the general admission price including their main educational hall where children can learn about rivers in general as well as river dams, transport, trivia, the role of rivers through history and specific information about the rivers in Saitama. You can also pay extra to enjoy the “waku waku land“, water adventure park, or watch a film in their adventure theater, which is a virtual simulated theater.
Saitama Museum of Rivers
General Admission
Entry under general admission gives you access to the river museum itself (including outdoor displays, Japan’s largest water mill and some events), the small aquarium on the lower ground floor, wading and splash pools and a unique music pad that jets water as you play with your feet.
The museum runs a number of events (more on that below) and interactive displays as well as housing a library. The workshop room in the main display area often has free crafts for the kids to enjoy.
In the aquarium the children are able to touch and hold turtles.
The water in the splash pool is only 5 cm high so suitable for small children. They are allowed enter with nappies / diapers. The splash pools are open from the last week in March until mid- November. There is plenty of green space to rest or set up a picnic. They added a climbing wall in the area in front of the turtle aquarium this year. There is a shop and restaurant on the premises. There are changing cubicles and lockers beside the free splash pool.
General admission is reasonable at 410 yen per adult and 200 yen for children over the age of 15. Young children and teenagers up to 15 years old are free in.
WAKU WAKU LAND
For an additional charge you can enjoy the water adventure park for one hour. About half the equipment is on water, but the kids don’t necessarily have to get wet, but I do recommend you bring a spare pair of clothes. It costs 210 yen per adult, 100 yen per child from 4 to 15 years old. Children under 4 years old are free. The times are fixed. There are 7 sessions during the summer at 9.30, 10.40, 11.50, 13.00, 14.10, 15.20 and 16.30. However, during the pandemic the sessions are only 45 minutes long, that is 20 minutes shorter than normal. Waku Waku land is open from spring until November 14th annually.
Photo Gallery of some of the equipment in the water adventure playground:
Events at Kawahaku
| Setsubun |
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| Each year the museum has an event for setsubun. It is usually on the first Sunday of February. They have a fun bean throwing event indoors at two different times. The first session is at 11 am and the second at 2 pm. |
| Halloween |
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| Each year, Kawahaku have events for Halloween. In 2026, that is Saturday October 24th, Sunday October 25th and Saturday October 31st. The free event features a Halloween stamp rally, seasonal craft activities, themed photo spots, and treasure-hunt style games where children can search for hidden characters throughout the museum. Guests who arrive in costume will receive a complimentary invitation ticket to one of the museum’s paid attractions, while those who participate in five or more activities can also receive a special Halloween-themed gift. Families are encouraged to dress up and join in the festive atmosphere at this popular annual event. Participation in the Halloween event is free. However, normal museum admission and parking fees apply for visitors entering the museum grounds |
| Saitama Citizen’s Day |
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| Each year on November 14th the museum, Waku Waku land, Adventure theater AND the parking lot are all free. It is the last day of the Waku Waku land season too. It closes from the 15th of November until spring. They call it the “Kawahaku Autumn Festival”, but apart from a few workshops its not an actual festival, just a celebration of citizen’s day. |
| Christmas Light up |
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| Each from December 1st to 25th they light up Japan’s largest water mill at night. |
Nearby:
The Saitama Museum of Rivers is located right next door to the Kawasemigawara river play and barbecue area. There are lots of attractions a short drive away. If you are coming to the museum by way of the Kanetsu Expressway you will pass several attractions on the way. Including (on this blog) the Hanazono Roadside Station, Hanazono Sweets Forest and the bubble tea Layer Cafe.
Saitama River Museum Information
For further information and up-to-date prices and schedules please see the official website –
URL: https://www.river-museum.jp/
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 about seven to ten minutes drive from the Hanazono exit of the Kanetsu expressway. Parking is 300 yen for the day, at the time of writing this post.
thats a hell of a sharp slope the windmill is on!
Given the seismic activity in the area, it’s a risky position!