Finnish themed amusement park set to open near Tokyo

An amusement theme park based on the world of Finland's Moomin fairytale characters is set to open on 16th March in Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo.

The Moomin characters, created by the Finnish author-illustrator, Tove Jansson, boomed in popularity in Japan when an animated television series starring the white hippopotamus-like creatures debuted in 1969.

Visitors to the theme park will be able to watch shows that feature the characters from the stories and visit an exhibition that provides insight into Jansson’s background and concepts. Jansson died in 2001. She was aged 87.

The 7.3-hectare Moomin Valley Park will be located next to a Nordic-centric attraction called Metsa Village, which opened last year. 

The hotel plans to welcome guests with Moomin plush toys and colourful artworks adorning each room.

The lake-side complex has a number of retail outlets selling Scandinavian-inspired products while also offering a restaurant that serves Northern European cuisine and beer.

Jansson's first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood, which was published in 1945 is a story about Moominmamma's and Moomintroll's search for the missing Moominpappa and how they found their way to the Moominvalley.

Since The Moomins and the Great Flood, more than 15 million Moomin books have been sold, around the world having been translated into 44 languages.