What to Expect at Ghibli Park, Studio Ghibli’s First-Ever Theme Park in Nagoya, Japan
Photo Credit: ©Studio Ghibli
Fans of Studio Ghibli films, rejoice! Here's another thing to look forward to visiting once Japan reopens ✨ The world's first Studio Ghibli Theme Park, Ghibli Park is now open in Japan!
Where is Ghibli Park located?
Image credit: Ghibli Park website
The whimsical Ghibli Park is located within the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute city near Nagoya, which is about three hours by train from Tokyo. Perfect for a day trip from Tokyo!
The park will cover a wide area of about 17.5 hectares when complete and is surrounded by green landscapes that are similar to the settings in our favourite Studio Ghibli films.
What will the theme park be like and which films will be featured there?
Ghibli Park will have five zones based on the Ghibli films. They are Hill of Youth, Ghibli’s Large Warehouse, Mononoke’s Village, Valley of Witches and Dondoko Forest.
These areas are inspired by the films My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Delivery Service and more!
1. Ghibli's Large Warehouse
Image credit: Ghibli Park website
Ghibli's Grand Warehouse is a spectacular display of all things Ghibli, and the perfect indoor space to enjoy the attractions whatever the weather. The Warehouse will feature a children’s playground based on My Neighbor Totoro and the sky garden from Laputa: Castle in the Sky. There will also be an area that resembles the setting for the 2010 movie Arrietty.
Image credit: Studio Ghibli
Other highlights include an exhibition room, a cinema showing screenings of your favourite Ghibli shorts, shops, restaurants, and a literal warehouse in which revolving exhibits will be stored.
Image credit: Studio Ghibli
The Warehouse is also where you'll be able to get your hands on exclusive Ghibli Park's original products for a great souvenir to remember your time here.
2. Hill of Youth
Ghibli Park's Hill of Youth features the World Emporium, one of the locations from Whisper of the Heart, the Cat Bureau from The Cat Returns and the Elevator Tower that you will recognise from films like Howl’s Moving Castle and Castle in the Sky.
It is located at the park’s north entrance, along with a yellow gate and an observation tower, complete with nineteenth-century objects.
Photo Credit: ©Studio Ghibli
World Emporium is the antique repair and resale shop that Shizuku Tsukishima stumbles upon in Whisper of the Heart. Step into the orange building and you will find yourself in a world of antique furniture, with cuckoo clocks, dolls, wooden horses and more on display.
The 1st and 2nd floors also have terraces that look out over Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park.
3. Dondoko Forest
Satsuki and Mei’s House has been around since 2005! Credits: ghibli-park.jp
Fans of My Neighbor Totoro might just find this area the hardest to leave! Dondoko Forest features Satsuki and Mei’s house from My Neighbor Totoro. The area’s name is derived from the dondoko dance, which the two sisters perform together with the spirit Totoro in hopes that the seeds they sowed will sprout.
Photo Credit: ©Studio Ghibli
After exploring their house, you can follow the acorns along the hill trail, where Dondoko-do awaits. The Totoro-shaped statue, Dondoko-do, is a 5-meter-tall wooden structure where children under twelve can play inside. Psst, this is a great photo op too!
4. Mononoke's Village
Image credit: Ghibli Park website
Opened in November 2023, Mononoke Village recreates the world of the 1997 film Princess Mononoke, themed around the relationship between nature and humans.
Inspired by the Emishi village and Iron Town from the film, the area depicts traditional Japanese rural landscapes.
This space will include a real-life recreation of Tatara-ba, the Irontown depicted in the movie Princess Mononoke. Tatara refers to the traditional Japanese furnace that’s used for smelting iron and steel, while Mononoke means spirit or supernatural monster. The setting is created to depict the rural landscape from the Muromachi period (1336-1573), in which the movie is set.
You can also try your hand at grilling your own Charcoal Grilled Gohei-mochi here! Gohei-mochi is a local speciality in the hillside towns of Aichi and surrounding prefectures, featuring a white rice mochi that is sauced and grilled over charcoal. At Tatara-ba you can pick your preferred sauce and cook it yourself over a traditional charcoal grill. Each cooking experience costs 1,200 yen (~$10.90).
Be sure to visit the photogenic slide of Okkotonushi and the statue of the Curse God too!
5. Valley of Witches (Now Open!)
The brand-new Valley of the Witches, is now finally open to the public! This area lets you experience the world of Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle, two iconic Ghibli films. The colorful and charming town scenes in this area recreate the Northern European towns from the films.
This area also features two rides - the Merry Go Round and Flying Machine. Guests can also get to explore the recreation of Kiki's home, Osono's Bakery, with drawers you can open to discover surprises and even step into Howl's Castle!
Photo: ©Studio Ghibli
The design plans include a play area and buildings such as Howl’s castle and Kiki’s house and allow you to take a peek into their homes. Buildings in this area also include:
- The Okino Residence and Guchokipanya Bakery (you can buy some bread here!) from Kiki's Delivery Service
- Howl's Castle and Hatter's Millinery from Howl's Moving Castle
- The House of Witches from Earwing and the Witch
- There is also a restaurant and family entertainment area
In Valley of the Witches, there are two gourmet spots. Flying Oven at the entrance offers full-service European-style oven dishes such as pies and quiches, as well as mysterious and unique dishes and desserts.
Image credit: Ghibli Park website
At the Hot Tin Roof Hot Dog Stand, you can enjoy hot dogs, beer, and soft drinks. Their "Cat's Paw Dog" is a photogenic (and honestly, so cute!) snack not to be missed.
Will there be roller coasters at the theme park?
Watch out for No Name or Yubaba at the Ghibli Grand Warehouse! Credits: ghibli-park.jp
If you're expecting thrilling rides such as roller coasters, you may be slightly disappointed as there won't be big rides in Ghibli Park. There also won't be any character greeting events and Ghibli movie music playing over speakers.
The park is designed instead to be an immersive experience, and make you feel like you are a Studio Ghibli character yourself!
Photo Credit: ©Studio Ghibli
The folks behind the theme park have mentioned that lots of care will be put into the construction of the space and that their aim is to preserve the peaceful and natural beauty of the memorial park.
Miyazaki himself has insisted that no trees will be cut down in the formation of the park so that visitors can truly be immersed in the world similar to the lush animation that's seen in the films.
How much are Studio Ghibli Theme Park tickets?
Image credit: Studio Ghibli
If you're looking for a tour that includes transport to and fro plus admission to the park, check out this Ghibli Park One Day Round Trip from Nagoya that's got you covered!
The tour includes:
- Pitstop at Aichi Museum of Flight
- Admission to: Ghibli Park (O-Sanpo Day Pass: Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village, and Valley of Witches)
- Admission to attractions
- English-speaking guide
- Bento Lunch
- Round-trip transfers
Spot Your Favourite Ghibli Film Scenes
Image credit: Studio Ghibli
Get an up-close look at the family home of Mei and Satsuki from My Neighbour Totoro, where the sisters’ homemade bento boxes are laid out on the round dining table.
Image credit: Studio Ghibli
Enter the secret world of the Borrowers' home in Arrietty.
Image credit: Studio Ghibli
Enter the magical tunnel, like the one Mei wanders into in My Neighbour Totoro!
Enjoy Ghibli Park with a One Day Round Trip from Nagoya
Image credit: Studio Ghibli
If you're looking for a tour that includes transport to and fro plus admission to the park, check out this Ghibli Park One Day Round Trip from Nagoya that's got you covered!
The tour includes:
- Pitstop at Aichi Museum of Flight
- Admission to: Ghibli's Grand Warehouse and Mononoke Village (Admission time 12pm to 1pm) (Note: The Hill of Youth and Dondoko Forest may not be entered on the day as they are on an advance reservation system)
- Bento lunch
- Round-trip transfers from Nagoya Station
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