The Moomins, cute, round Finnish trolls that they are, have had a dedicated following in Japan ever since a Moomin-based animation was first shown in Japan in 1969.

Thanks to Japan’s love for all things Moomin, the country is the first location outside of Finland to be blessed with a Moomin Valley theme park, which opened earlier this year on the outskirts of Tokyo in Saitama prefecture. Not just for Moomin fans, the park is nestled in a whole complex called Metsa, which purports to bring a slice of the Nordic lifestyle to the Greater Tokyo Area.

For the theme park's first winter illuminations, they’ve managed to bring an undeniably iconic part of the Finnish landscape to their Saitama location. Using the magic of projection mapping, visitors will be able to enjoy a simulation of the northern lights dancing above Moomin Valley.

The concept of the event is based on the short story 'Moominland Midwinter', the melancholic fifth book in the series which sees Moomintroll wake up all alone from hibernation, to find a strange and magical winter wonderland.

The Moomin Valley park’s centre will be awash with magical lights and sounds.

The aurora style lights will be projected around Moominhouse in a show lasting about ten minutes, and the adjacent Winter Tree will also be lit up and filled with musical instruments which will be providing seasons cheer through their merry tones.

Like Moomintroll himself, visitors can go on an illuminated journey up a snowy mountain and cavort with the beloved characters from the series via projection mapping.

The Winter Wonderland event will begin on 30th November and continue until 8th March giving Moomin fans plenty of time to make the trip. The park is situated in Hanno which is easily accessibly from central Tokyo and while Metsa is free to enter, entrance to Moomin Valley costs 1500 yen.

Take a look at Metsa's website for more information about Moomin Valley theme park.