Ghibli Park, a theme park that recreates a world of Studio Ghibli works, is now open to the public within the grounds of Aichi Prefecture's Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park! Ever since the information has been released back in 2020, Ghibli fans across the world have been waiting excitedly. Finally, it has finally opened on Tuesday, November 1st, 2022. This time, the FUN! JAPAN editorial department went for coverage on "Ghibli Park" early and will guide you through all its charms!
About Ghibli Park
Utilizing the site of Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, Ghibli Park created five areas where you can enjoy a world of Studio Ghibli works. Three of the five areas in the park, "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse", "Dondoko Forest" and "Hill of Youth" were opened on November 1st, while "Mononoke Village" and "Valley of Witches" are scheduled to open in 2023. This is a theme park where everyone can feel like the main character of a story. As there are no attractions or rides in the park, you can discover secrets while feeling the wind while walking through the forest and roads with your own feet.
Enter the world of Ghibli, starting from the "Elevator Tower"
The 30-meter-high Elevator Tower is located near the North Entrance of Ghibli Park, and leads visitors to the world of Ghibli. The design is based on the world through science fiction of late 19th century, represented by "Castle in the Sky" and "Howl's Moving Castle".
"Ghibli's Grand Warehouse" Area
As you enter "Ghibli's Grand Warehouse", you'll be greeted by the brightly colored tiled "Central Stairs" and the "Giant Flying Ship". Among these, what you should be paying attention to is the "Exhibition: Becoming Characters in Memorable Ghibli Scenes" where you can become a character from Ghibli works. In these interactive exhibits, you will find yourself in 14 famous scenes from Ghibli works.
Classic moments include the scene where the main character of "Spirited Away" travels by train along with "No Face" (Kaonashi), and the one where the boy Pazu catches the girl Sheeta falling from the sky in "Castle in the Sky". You can also take pictures while getting a glimpse of how the character feels in that scene.
Also, the "Director's Room" is a must-see. Documents floating in the air are faithfully reproduced, and you can meet Yubaba, who appears in "Spirited Away", concentrating on her work as if you were the main character, Chihiro!
The areas such as "Garden in the Sky" inspired by "Castle in the Sky", and "The House Below and The Little People's Garden" that reproduces the world of the dwarfs from "Arrietty", are also the places where you can fully enjoy yourself in the world of Ghibli works.
In the "Screening Room: Cinema Orion", short animations produced by Studio Ghibli which were available exclusively at the "Ghibli Museum" in Mitaka City, Tokyo, will be screened.
"Hill of Youth" area where you can immerse yourself in the world of "Whisper of the Heart"
"Hill of Youth" is an area that reproduces the "World Emporium" antique shop and rotary square that appear in "Whisper of the Heart" and the Cat Bureau in "The Cat Returns".
"World Emporium" is an antique shop where Shizuku Tsukishima from "Whisper of the Heart" encountered in coincidence after she was guided by the cat 'Moon' on a train. At the three-story "World Emporium", bicycles and jumpers used by character Seiji Amasawa are displayed at the entrance. The interior of "World Emporium" has been faithfully reproduced, and there is also an underground studio. Flashbacks of the famous scene where Shizuku sings her "Country Road" should really warm your heart. The entrance is on the 2nd floor, and there are terraces on the 1st and 2nd floors from which you can see the scenery of the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park.
The "Cat Bureau" that appears in "The Cat Returns" is an one-story wooden building built in the size of a cat. For adults, bend down and look through the window - there you will see Baron and Muta relaxing surrounded by miniature furniture and accessories!
Will I be able to meet Totoro? Head for the "Dondoko Forest" area
About a 20-minute walk from "Ghibli's Grand Warehouse", there is a red roofed house where the main characters Satsuki and Mei of "My Neighbor Totoro" lived. Built as a pavilion for the Expo 2005 Aichi, the house will continue to be open to the public at Ghibli Park. It reproduce the lifestyle of the time according to the setting in the story, think postcards, the kitchen, and even the inside of the chest of drawers. You can feel the atmosphere of the main characters living there.
One top of the mountain is the "Dondoko Forest" area that made use of the surrounding rich nature to reproduce the world of "My Neighbor Totoro". In addition, since Totoro can only be seen by children, a "5-meter-tall Totoro-shaped wooden playground equipment" was installed at the top of the hill behind the house, which only children can enter. Elementary school children and younger can play inside Totoro's mouth. You will be soothed by the humorous expression of Totoro with his mouth wide open.
There are such friendly services too!?
Since there is a long distance to travel between each area of Ghibli Park, there are free shuttle buses running within the park. There is also a slope car "Dondoko-go" that connects the top and bottom of "Dondoko Forest". People with strollers, wheelchairs or physical disabilities can get to the top of the mountain with ease.
Ticket Information
Ghibli Park does not have a passport-like ticket that allows you to go around all areas with just one ticket, so you will have to purchase a ticket for each area. In addition, each area has a reservation system with a specified date and time. Reservations and ticket purchases are required for each area. Currently, tickets can only be purchased in Japan, the sales date for overseas tickets is to be determined.
Facility Information
- Facility name: Ghibli Park
- Address: 1533-1 Ibaragamasama Otsu, Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture Aichi Expo Memorial Park
- Ticket:
- Ghibli's Grand Warehouse
- Weekdays: Adults ¥2,000, 4 years old to elementary school students ¥1,000
- Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: Adults ¥2,500, 4 years old to elementary school students ¥1,250
- Hill of Youth
- Adults ¥1,000, 4 years old to elementary school students ¥500
- Dondoko Forest
- Adults ¥1,000, 4 years old to elementary school students ¥500
- Access:
- Take the Aichi Rapid Transit Tobu Kyuryo Line (Linimo), then get off at "Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen" station. The park is just outside the station.
- From Nagoya Station/Meitetsu Bus Center 4F No. 24 Bus Stop, take the bus bound for "Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Ghibli Park)"
- From Chubu Centrair International Airport Terminal 1, take the bus bound for "Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Ghibli Park)" via "Fujigaoka"
© 2022 GHIBLI PARK Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
© 2022 Studio Ghibli
Good news for FUN! JAPAN readers who want to go to Japan very soon!
Currently, tours that include Ghibli Park tickets and hotel stays that can be booked by foreign visitors to Japan are now on sale!
If you want to experience Ghibli Park before overseas tickets go on sale, be sure to make a reservation for this tour!
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