Splashing Water, Bursting Smiles! Moominvalley Park's Coolest Summer Ever Arrives! "Moomin Valley Water Play" Starts July 3, 2026 (Friday)

Moomin Monogatari Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture, President: Kiyoshi Mochizuki) will hold its popular annual summer event, "Moomin Valley Water Play," at "Moominvalley Park" from Friday, July 3, 2026, to Sunday, September 6, 2026. *Past event image This year's theme is "Splashing Water, Bursting Smiles!" The event is packed with highlights, including water play spots enjoyable for both children and adults, and shows themed around summer and water. In addition to the "Jabujabu Creek" and "Flying Ogre's Magical Splash Zone" where children can play with abandon, the Moomin Valley area will feature "Moomin Valley Sea of Clouds," enveloped in mystical mist, and a new program, "Summer Moran and Snow & Splash," where the ice monster "Moran" brings snow. At the Emma Theater, which was renovated this spring, "Sunny Sunny Playtime!" themed around summer will begin, featuring Moominvalley characters dressed in swimsuits and summer items for a limited time. This special program expresses a summer moment of enjoying the sea to the fullest, perfect for the hot season. At "Terrace on the Lake," "Nyoro Nyoro's Downpour Squall" will open, where a large amount of water suddenly pours down on an island covered in Nyoro Nyoro. This new sensation water play spot, which tickles the spirit of challenge by making visitors guess the timing of the sudden downpour, is sure to delight both adults and children. Furthermore, the path leading to Moominvalley Park will transform into a summer landscape. At "Metsä Village," an adjacent Nordic lifestyle experience facility, "Forest of Elves - Metsä Sea of Clouds 2026 -" will be held from Friday, July 3, 2026, to Wednesday, September 23, 2026 (holiday). The magnificent trees lining the entrance to Metsä will awaken by the magical power of the Nordic fairy "Elf," enveloping the area in a cool, mystical mist. [Event Outline] Moomin Valley Water Play 2026 ■ Event Period: Friday, July 3, 2026 - Sunday, September 6, 2026 ■ Details: https://metsa-hanno.com/event/45549/ Forest of Elves - Metsä Sea of Clouds 2026 - ■ Event Period: Friday, July 3, 2026 - Wednesday, September 23, 2026 (holiday) ■ Details: https://metsa-hanno.com/event/45522/ [Moomin Valley Water Play Highlights] ▶ A Soaking New Summer Show "Summer Moran and Snow & Splash" This program allows you to get soaked with water splashes along with "Moran," the monster that freezes everything. Water splashes fly with music that makes you want to dance! Under the summer sky, snow begins to fall with Moran's appearance. Look forward to this new show that offers a refreshing experience for both mind and body, not only by getting wet but also by experiencing cool snow in the middle of summer. ■ Showtimes: 3 performances per day *Please check the official website for detailed performance times. ■ Location: In front of KOKEMUS *Content may change or be canceled due to weather conditions. ▶ Let's Go on an Adventure to an Island on the Lake! "Nyoro Nyoro's Downpour Squall" *Image is for illustration purposes. "Terrace on the Lake," a massive 16m x 20m platform floating on Lake Miyazawa, will feature the new sensation water play spot "Nyoro Nyoro's Downpour Squall" that awakens your adventurous spirit. Beyond the wooden path where a pleasant breeze blows from the shade of the trees, there are unique water play mechanisms. This spot is recommended for those who want to get wet and have fun. Enjoy the sudden downpour. ■ Location: Terrace on the Lake *Content may change or be canceled due to weather conditions. ▶ The Emma Theater Becomes a Beach!? "Sunny Sunny Playtime!" Announced *Image is for illustration purposes. A new show, "Sunny Sunny Playtime!" has been decided for the all-weather theater "Emma Theater." During the event period, this program, perfect for the hot season, featuring Moominvalley characters in swimsuits and summer items, will be screened daily. ■ Showtimes: 2 performances per day *Please check the official website for detailed performance times. ■ Location: Emma Theater ▶ The Entire Park Enveloped in Mist "Moomin Valley Sea of Clouds 2026" *Past event image During the event period, Moomin Valley will suddenly be enveloped in summer mist, transforming into a world of clouds. Experience a mystical and cool world that changes its appearance depending on the weather, wind direction, temperature, and humidity. ■ Operation: Daily, misting times are irregular ■ Location: Moomin Valley Area ▶ Various Water Play Zones for Cooling Off Everywhere! *Last year's event image This year, active zones for getting wet and playing, and relaxing zones for staying cool will be available, allowing visitors to enjoy water play as they please. Highlights include the dynamic water pillars spouting from the Flying Ogre's hat, the active spot "Flying Ogre's Magical Splash Zone" filled with children's laughter and cheers, the "Jabujabu Creek" where you can play in a stream sparkling with bubbles, and the mystical "Moomin Valley Mysterious Mist Path" woven from sunlight filtering through trees and mist. This year, the "Flower and Story Terrace," where you can re-experience the story of "Comet in Moominland," will be decorated with summer flowers like sunflowers, allowing you to experience various non-daily moments amidst the rich nature of Moominvalley Park. *Image is for illustration purposes. Due to popular demand, the "Moomin Valley and Umbrella" umbrella sky will also be extended. With the addition of sunflower decorations, you can enjoy a unique summer landscape. ▶ [Metsä Village] Forest of Elves - Metsä Sea of Clouds 2026 - Metsä Village, adjacent to Moominvalley Park, will also host its popular "Sea of Clouds" event again this year. For its fourth iteration, there will be a naming contest with attractive prizes and a workshop to create forest elf companions using ginkgo nuts and scraps of Nishikawa lumber, organized by the "Chisan Chisei no Kai" (Local Production for Local Consumption Group). Elves are fairies from Nordic folklore. For them, the forest (Metsä) is the boundary with humans. Trees are revered, and magnificent trees are said to bring good luck, with elves dwelling in their shade. Be greeted by somewhat humorous and uniquely expressive tree guardians as you step into Metsä Village, marking the beginning of your summer adventure! Application Period: Friday, July 3, 2026 - Monday, July 27, 2026 How to Apply: 1. Follow Metsä's official Instagram account "@metsavillage" 2. Post a photo of your favorite "tree guardian" taken at the venue, along with your name and "oshi point" (favorite aspect) in the caption, using the hashtag "#エルフの森 2026" (Forest of Elves 2026). ■ Event Period: Friday, July 3, 2026 - Wednesday, September 23, 2026 (holiday) ■ Location: Metsä Tie (Metsä Village Entrance Area) ■ Cooperation: Chisan Chisei no Kai ■ "Elf