3 Enchanting Umbrella Sky Events Near Tokyo in 2023

Umbrella Sky Events - What Are They?

Karuizawa Umbrella Sky. Picture courtesy of Hoshino Resorts

The world's first Umbrella Sky Project was held in Águeda, Portugal in 2012, where colorful umbrellas were suspended over the city streets, transforming the everyday world into a colorful, magical place.

This whimsical installation captured the imaginations of people all over the world and was particularly popular among Japanese visitors to Portugal. Now, several venues in Japan host their own unique umbrella sky events.

We’d like to spotlight three of these events taking place close to Tokyo in 2023.

1. Moomin Valley and Umbrellas, Hanno (Saitama)

Picture courtesy of PR Times

Taking place in Moomin Valley Park in Hanno, this vast umbrella corridor is currently Japan's largest umbrella sky installation, utilizing 1,200 umbrellas. The concept behind this year’s event is to “fly anywhere, on the balloon of your imagination.”

The ongoing pandemic has limited our ability to travel, but the organizers of this event want to inspire visitors to surpass these limitations using the power of their imaginations.

Picture courtesy of PR Times

Fans of Tove Jansson's Moomin characters and series will particularly love this installation, and it is inspired by the beautifully illustrated book "Den Farliga Resan" ("The Dangerous Journey"). The event draws particular inspiration from the book’s final pages, where the heroine Susanna escapes a seemingly dangerous world and travels by hot air balloon into the peaceful Moomin Valley.

For eco-conscious visitors who would like to see the installation, there's no need to fret! Once the event is over, all the umbrellas used will be upcycled and given a new lease of life!

Moomin Valley and Umbrellas
Venue: Moomin Valley Park
Address: Saitama, Hanno, Miyazawa
Schedule: April 28 - July 2, 2023
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (weekdays), 10:00 - 18:00 (weekends and holidays)
Website: https://metsa-hanno.com/event/25743/ (Japanese)

2. Karuizawa Umbrella Sky, Karuizawa (Nagano)

Picture courtesy of Hoshino Resorts

The rainy season can feel a little depressing at times! The creators of this event at HOSHINOYA Karuizawa's HARUNIRE Terrace want to dispel low feelings and bring joy to visitors via color. This particular umbrella sky installation is a fun combination of colorful umbrellas and rainbow bubbles!

Bubbles are released for a few minutes every day during the event, at 10:00 and again at 16:00.

Picture courtesy of Hoshino Resorts

The event has many other special features; the area is lit up at night, and the walkway features art which only appears when it rains - including leaves and various forest creatures. There is also an umbrella making workshop on Sundays for kids and their families.

For those with a sweet tooth, the event will also give visitors the opportunity to try several unique drinks and desserts, including a limited edition rainbow lemonade drink inspired by the installation.

Picture courtesy of Hoshino Resorts

This cute, Instagrammable concoction is like a miniature recreation of the umbrella sky itself; rainbow-colored jelly pieces float inside a sweet and sour lemonade mix, with a dash of soft-serve ice cream on top, representing clouds floating in the sky.

The drink, along with a range of other beverages and desserts, is available at Cafe Hungry Spot, at a cost of 820 yen.

Karuizawa Umbrella Sky
Venue: HARUNIRE Terrace
Address: Nagano, Kitasaku, Karuizawa, Hoshino
Schedule: June 2 - July 9, 2023
Hours: 8:00 - 22:00 (illumination 18:00 - 22:00)
Website: https://www.hoshino-area.jp/archives/13376 (Japanese)

3. Kanra Park in Gunma

Photo by Pixta

The final umbrella sky event on our list is the one held at Kanra Park in the Kanra district of Gunma. 350 colorful umbrellas are displayed over 70 meters in the park creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

The event coincides with the season of fresh greenery. The colorful umbrella rainbow enhances the beauty of the park in the early summer.
Kanra DE Umbrella Sky
Venue: Kanra Park
Address: Gunma, Kanra district, Kanra-cho, Obata 747-1
Schedule: May 29 - June 4, 2023
Website: https://www.town.kanra.lg.jp/sansin/kankou/kanko/0529umbrellasky.html (Japanese)

Relish the Rain From Under an Umbrella Sky

Why not brighten up this rainy season and escape everyday life for a little while by visiting one of these breathtaking installations? These days we don't need to travel all the way to Águeda to see one of these fun events, and for those in Tokyo, there are several right on your doorstep!

Main image by Pixta