If you grew up on My Neighbor Totoro or Spirited Away, Japan has two places that are just for you. Ghibli Museum Tokyo sits in a quiet corner of Mitaka, while Studio Ghibli Park sprawls across a forested park near Nagoya. Same creative universe, two completely different days out.
This guide breaks down what makes each one special, how Ghibli Museum tickets and Ghibli Park tickets actually work, and how to squeeze both into one Japan trip if you've got the time. We'll also cover getting there, what to expect once you're inside, and a few things we wish we'd known before our own visit!
Ghibli Museum vs. Studio Ghibli Park
Short answer: Ghibli Museum Tokyo is a small, art-house style museum designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself, while Studio Ghibli Park is a much bigger, walk-through park built around recreated movie sets.
If you're weighing Ghibli Museum vs Ghibli Park for your itinerary, here's how they compare:
Ghibli Museum (Mitaka) | Studio Ghibli Park (Nagakute) | |
Location | Mitaka, western Tokyo | Nagakute, near Nagoya |
Best for | Art lovers, quiet exploration, film fans | Families, photo spots, a full day out |
Time needed | 2–4 hours | Half a day to a full day |
Price | From ¥1,000 (~$USD 6) | From ¥3,630 (~$USD 25) |
Ticket system | Timed entry, released monthly | Area-based tickets, released monthly |
Photography | Not allowed indoors | Allowed in most outdoor areas |
Highlight | Saturn Theater short films | Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, Dondoko Forest |
Ghibli Museum guide
Ghibli museum entrance
If the comparison above has you leaning toward Mitaka, here's what your visit will actually look like. Walking into the Ghibli Museum feels less like a museum and more like stepping into one of the films.
Miyazaki designed the building himself, and it's full of curved staircases, stained glass, and small details that reward slow exploration. It's located in Mitaka, a quiet residential pocket of western Tokyo, right on the edge of Inokashira Park.
The museum is open 10 AM to 6 PM and typically closed Tuesdays. Admission is from ¥1,000 (~$6) for adults, with lower rates for kids.
Klook Tip: Arrive right at your entry time slot. The museum doesn't hold tickets for late arrivals.
Ghibli Museum exhibits
Robot soldier at Ghibli Museum
No set path: the museum's motto is "Let's lose our way together," so there's no fixed route, just staircases and hallways to wander at your own pace
Saturn Theater: a small in-house cinema screening short Ghibli films you can't watch anywhere else
Robot Soldier: a five-meter statue from Castle in the Sky standing guard in the rooftop garden, one of the most photographed spots on-site
Café and gift shop: worth a stop for souvenirs you won't find in regular Tokyo shops
Most visitors spend 2 to 4 hours inside, which fits comfortably into a morning or afternoon alongside other Tokyo plans. Photography isn't allowed in the exhibit rooms, only outdoors, so save your phone battery for the rooftop garden!
How to get Ghibli Museum tickets
Ghibli museum tickets
Once you've decided the museum is worth a spot on your itinerary, the next step is actually getting in. Ghibli Museum reservation is a bit tricky. Just remember, Ghibli Museum tickets release on the 10th of each month at 10 AM Japan time, covering the following month. Set a reminder, so you don’t forget!
If you'd rather turn it into a full Ghibli Museum tour with a guide, the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Film Appreciation Bus Tour pairs the museum with other Tokyo architectural stops.
Studio Ghibli Park guide
Studio Ghibli Park
With the museum side sorted, let's head over to Nagoya for the other half of this trip. Studio Ghibli Park isn't a theme park in the rollercoaster sense; there are no thrill rides here. It's built inside Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute, a short ride from central Nagoya, with each area recreating a different corner of the Ghibli films.
The park runs 10 AM to 5 PM on weekdays, opening an hour earlier on weekends, and is typically closed Tuesdays.
Studio Ghibli Park themed areas
Mononoke Village
The park is divided into five themed areas.
1. Ghibli's Grand Warehouse: an indoor hall packed with film sets and props
2. Hill of Youth: centered on Whisper of the Heart and Howl's Moving Castle
3. Dondoko Forest: built around the Totoro house, with a life-size Catbus bus stop
4. Mononoke Village: a set inspired by Princess Mononoke
5. Valley of Witches: themed around Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle
Plan for at least half a day, more if you want to properly explore Dondoko Forest and the areas further from the entrance. Unlike the Ghibli museum, photography is allowed throughout most of the park, so this is where you'll want to save room on your camera roll!
How to buy Studio Ghibli Park tickets
Studio Ghibli tickets | Photo Credits: Jason on Klook Reviews
Studio Ghibli tickets | Photo Credits: Jason on Klook Reviews
Just like the museum, getting into Ghibli Park takes some advance booking. Ghibli Park attractions are sold by area rather than as one all-access pass, so decide in advance which zones matter most.
Like the museum, Ghibli Park Nagoya tickets release monthly and sell out fast on weekends and holidays. Specifically, Ghibli Park tickets are released on the 10th of every month at 2:00 PM Japan time. They're sold exactly two months in advance.
For a straightforward option, the Ghibli Park Ticket covers the O-Sanpo Day Pass, which grants access to three areas: Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, Mononoke Village, and Valley of Witches, without needing the official booking site. If you'd rather skip transport planning, the Ghibli Park 1-Day Bus Tour from Nagoya bundles round-trip transport with your visit.
How to get to Ghibli Museum & Studio Ghibli Park
Ghibli Museum sign
Tickets in hand, the last piece is actually getting to each location.
Ghibli Museum (Tokyo)
- From Shinjuku: JR Chuo Line direct to Mitaka Station, around 20 minutes
- From Mitaka Station: 15-minute walk through Inokashira Park, or a shuttle bus (¥210/~$1.30 one-way)
Studio Ghibli Park (Nagoya)
- From Tokyo: Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station, about an hour and 40-minute train ride away.
- From Nagoya Station: Higashiyama subway line to Fujigaoka, then the Linimo line to Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park Station
Tips for planning your Ghibli trip
With tickets and transport sorted, a few extra details will make the day itself go smoother.
- Best time to visit: spring and autumn are most comfortable; summer gets hot and humid in both cities
- How far ahead to book: grab tickets the moment the monthly release opens, especially for weekends and Japanese holidays
- What to bring: comfortable walking shoes, since both sites involve a fair amount of walking
- Trip planning: plan Ghibli Museum Tokyo and Studio Ghibli Park on separate days rather than back to back, since the travel time between Tokyo and Nagoya makes a same-day visit impractical
FAQs about Ghibli Museum Tokyo and Studio Ghibli Park
What is the difference between Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park?
Ghibli Museum Tokyo is a compact museum in Mitaka designed by Hayao Miyazaki. Studio Ghibli Park is a much bigger outdoor park near Nagoya, built around walk-through film sets.
How do you get tickets to the Ghibli Museum?
Tickets release about a month ahead and sell out fast. International visitors typically book through an authorized overseas ticketing partner rather than the Japan-only site.
How far is Ghibli Park from Tokyo?
Studio Ghibli Park sits near Nagoya, roughly 90 minutes to 2 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Most visitors treat it as a separate stop rather than a same-day trip.
Can you visit both Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park in one trip?
Yes, just not on the same day. Visit the museum while based in Tokyo, then catch the park during a separate stop in the Nagoya area.
How long do you need at Ghibli Museum?
Most visitors spend 2 to 4 hours inside, enough time for the exhibits, a Saturn Theater screening, and the gift shop.
What are the different areas inside Ghibli Park?
Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village, and Valley of Witches. Each is themed around specific films, and tickets are sold by area.
Is photography allowed inside the Ghibli Museum?
No, not in the exhibit rooms, though you can take photos in the rooftop garden and courtyard. Studio Ghibli Park allows photography throughout most outdoor areas.
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