The world of Anime becomes reality: Ghibli Park in Japan

Ghibli Park in Japan
Located in Nagakute
Significant opening after the pandemic
The world of Totoro and Kaonashi
A park unlike the others
No big rides
5 large areas on 17 acres
Ghibli's Grand Warehouse
Orion cinema with exclusive short films
Interactive exhibits
Hill of Youth
Dondoko Forest
Two areas under construction
Ready in late 2023
Incredible scenes to relive
Walking among your favorite characters
When Marnie Was There
Souvenir shops and a playground
How to visit Ghibli Park?
Ticket price
Ghibli Park's opening hours
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.

Located in Nagakute

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.

Significant opening after the pandemic

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."

The world of Totoro and Kaonashi

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.'

A park unlike the others

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.

No big rides

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.

5 large areas on 17 acres

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.'

Ghibli's Grand Warehouse

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.

Orion cinema with exclusive short films

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

Interactive exhibits

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.

Hill of Youth

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.

Dondoko Forest

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.

Two areas under construction

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'.

Ready in late 2023

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

Incredible scenes to relive

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

Walking among your favorite characters

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

When Marnie Was There

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.

Souvenir shops and a playground

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.

How to visit Ghibli Park?

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.

Ticket price

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

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.