The world of Anime becomes reality: Ghibli Park in Japan

In November 2022, a dream came true for all Studio Ghibli fans. They can now immerse themselves in the magical world of their favorite anime characters. Ghibli Park has become yet another reason to visit Japan.

In this enchanted world, visitors will encounter the characters and scenes from the films made by Studio Ghibli (thanks, above all, to the creative genius of Hayao Miyazaki). They are located inside the Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, the former grounds of Expo 2005, in Nagakute.

As Koji Hoshino (photo), president of Studio Ghibli Co, was cited by CNN Travel, "In the last three years we have found ourselves in a very difficult situation due to Covid-19, but also faced with great joy … I feel that the opening of this park at this time, where we are overcoming Covid 19, is very significant indeed."

In the enchanted theme park, it is easy to find oneself on the magical train and sit next to Kaonashi, the Faceless Spirit from 'Spirited Away,' or with the soot spirits from 'My Neighbor Totoro.'

Creators and developers of the project, including Goro Miyazaki (photo), son of Ghibli's leading artist Hayao Miyazaki, are keen to clarify and 'warn' all visitors that this is not a theme park like any other.

Inside, there are no "major attractions or rides," the website warns. The invitation from the organizers is to stroll through the streets of the park and discover all its wonders, just as if you were taking a trip inside the masterpieces drawn by the Studio.

The park was built on over 17 acres and is divided into 5 areas, of which only three are currently open to the public: 'Ghibli's Grand Warehouse,' 'Hill of Youth,' and 'Dondoko Forest.'

The 'Ghibli's Grand Warehouse' is a totally covered city, where visitors can access the materials and resources used by the Studio for the making of its films: a golden opportunity for fans.

In 'Ghibli's Grand Warehouse,' there is also the Orion Cinema where ten original Studio Ghibli shorts are screened, previously available exclusively at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.

Photo: ghibli-park.jp

In addition, interactive exhibitions enable visitors to become the protagonist of their favorite film. They can relive the most famous scenes, reproduced with materials and sets inspired by the Ghibli universe.

In the second area open to the public, the 'Hill of Youth', visitors will find the famous antique shop from the film 'Sighs of My Heart.' It is located in a point of the park from where one can enjoy a beautiful panorama.

The third area open to the public is the 'Dondoko Forest', totally dedicated to and inspired by the film 'My Neighbor Totoro'. In this area of the park, it's possible to visit the house (in the photo) of the little sisters Satsuki and Mei.

Still under construction are the last two areas, the 'Mononoke Village', which as you can guess will be dedicated to Princess Mononoke, and the 'Valley of Witches', where there will be attractions inspired by the films 'The Castle Howl's Wandering' and 'Kiki's Delivery Service'.

According to the CNN Travel website, these last two areas should be open to the public in late 2023.

In this photo an impressive reconstruction of the garden of the famous film 'Arrietty - The secret world under the floor.'

In this image, a visitor is having fun inside 'Ghibli's Grand Warehouse.'

The protagonist of this image is Marnie, a character from the film 'When Marnie Was There', another masterpiece created by the famous animation studio, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi.

Ghibli Park also holds play areas for the little ones, shops where you can buy a themed souvenir, and two bars where you can refresh yourself between one adventure and another.

Tickets can be booked in advance on the official website (currently only in Japanese). The park does not offer the possibility of a single entrance fee, but instead it has separate tickets for each area.

The cost of the different tickets varies from 1000 yen for adults (about 7$) and 500 yen for children (about $3.5) for the 'Hill of Youth' and 'Dondoko Forest' areas, to 2500 yen for adults ($17) and 1250 yen for children ($9) for 'Ghibli's Grand Warehouse'.

Ghibli Park's opening hours on weekdays are from 10am to 5pm, while on weekends and public holidays the doors are open from 9am to 5pm. The park is closed on Tuesdays, unless it is a public holiday.