So, is Ghibli Park worth visiting?
For Studio Ghibli fans, yes, it’s a bucket-list day out where the studio’s films are recreated as walk-through sets, life-sized props, and hidden character sightings rather than thrill rides. If you just enjoy beautifully designed, richly detailed spaces, you’ll love it too, though anyone expecting a conventional theme park with rollercoasters should set expectations differently. The one catch: it uses timed, date-specific tickets that regularly sell out in advance, so the experience lives or dies on planning ahead.
Ghibli Park At a glance
Location | Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture (near Nagoya) |
Opened | 1 November 2022 |
Nearest station | Ai-Chikyuhaku-kinen-koen (“Expo Memorial Park”) on the Linimo line |
Getting there | Linimo maglev line from central Nagoya (Nagoya is roughly 1.5–2 hours from Tokyo by shinkansen) |
Tickets | Date- and time-specific, area-based; book well in advance—same-day tickets are generally not available |
Best for | Studio Ghibli fans, families, and anyone who loves richly detailed, hand-crafted design |
Hours and exact ticket prices vary by season and area, always confirm on the official Ghibli Park website before booking.
What to Expect at Ghibli Park in Aichi, Japan
Studio Ghibli is one of the most popular animation studios in Japan, and even around the world! The chances that you’ve heard of at least one of their many successful films is high even if they’d been released years ago. They currently have five of the highest-grossing anime films in Japan, so maybe you’ve heard of Spirited Away (2001), Princess Mononoke (1997), or Howl’s Moving Castle (2004).
What’s included in a Ghibli Park ticket, and can you get same-day tickets?
Ghibli Park doesn’t work like a typical theme park. Instead of one gate ticket, it uses a timed-entry, area-based system: your ticket is tied to a specific date and entry time, and it grants access to particular areas of the park rather than unlimited run-of-park access. Because entry is capped per time slot, tickets are released in advance and frequently sell out.
- Area-based tickets: different ticket types cover different combinations of areas (for example, Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse versus the wider park). Check which areas each ticket includes before you buy.
- Timed entry: you may only enter at your designated time; you can’t arrive early, and re-entry isn’t allowed once you leave.
- Book ahead: tickets are sold in advance through official channels and authorized partners, and popular dates go quickly, so plan several weeks out where possible.
- Same-day tickets: because of the advance-sale, capacity-controlled model, same-day tickets are generally not available, so don’t count on walking up and buying on arrival.
How to get to Ghibli Park
Ghibli Park sits inside the Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park in Nagakute, on the outskirts of Nagoya (not in central Nagoya itself), so you’ll need a short transit hop to reach it.
- From Nagoya: take the subway to Fujigaoka Station, then transfer to the Linimo maglev line and ride to Ai-Chikyuhaku-kinen-koen (Expo Memorial Park) Station, which sits right by the park entrance.
- From Tokyo: take the shinkansen to Nagoya (roughly 1.5–2 hours), then follow the Nagoya route above via the Linimo line.
If you’d rather not piece the journey together yourself, Klook’s Ghibli Park 1-Day Package from Tokyo by Shinkansen bundles transport with entry.
What to see and do at Ghibli Park
There are five planned areas all themed on their respective Studio Ghibli movies. Three areas opened first: Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, and Dondoko Forest, and the final two, Mononoke Village and Valley of Witches, have since opened as well.
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse
Discover the world of Arrietty, Spirited Away, and more! Credits: Klook
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse is the main indoor hub of Ghibli Park, inspired by the 1986 film, Castle in the Sky. Prepare to be in awe at the life-sized replica of the Air Destroyer Goliath and the ruined gardens, which were only available at the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo until now.
Fans are also in for a treat at Cinema Orion where you’ll be able to catch an exclusive viewing of Studio Ghibli short films—you can’t watch them anywhere else! There’s also a children’s playground, shops, restaurants, and three exhibition rooms, which include character exhibitions of Robot Soldier and Cat Bus!
Best for: first-time visitors, rainy days, and fans who want the most Ghibli in one place.
Hill of Youth
Recreate your favorite scenes at this immersive park! Credits: Klook
Hill of Youth is built around the world of Howl’s Moving Castle, with an observation tower styled in the same time period as the movie. Inside are different props and pieces that fans will recognize from the movie.
A recreation of the World Emporium from Whisper of the Heart (1995) and the Cat Bureau from The Cat Returns (2002) can also be visited!
Best for: fans of Howl’s Moving Castle, Whisper of the Heart, and The Cat Returns.
Dondoko Forest
Keep your eyes peeled for movie references, props, and character sightings! Credits: @mana.tcy on Instagram
Dondoko Forest recreates the rural world of My Neighbor Totoro, transporting you to a landscape evoking the 1920s to the 1980s. The area’s name is inspired by “Dondoko Odori,” which is the dance performed by Satsuki, Mei, and Totoro in My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Fans will also never want to leave Kusakabe’s house from the same film, which can also be visited at the area! And, in the childlike spirit of the film, there’s a playground at the top of the hill of the area where only children are allowed to play inside.
Best for: Totoro fans and families with young children.
Mononoke Village
Mononoke Village is inspired by Princess Mononoke. The film’s settings of Irontown and Emishi Village are replicated, featuring models of the film’s mystical creatures. The area transports you to rural life from the Muromachi period, just like in the film!
Best for: fans of Princess Mononoke and anyone drawn to its moody, historical world.
Valley of Witches
The Valley of Witches is based on another Studio Ghibli classic, Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989). There is a replica of Kiki and her parents’ home, along with Gütiokipänjä, the bakery she works at in the film. There are also bits of Howl’s Moving Castle in this area as the setting of the wastelands is recreated, as well as a life-sized model of the moving castle, which is set to be four or five stories high, and the hat shop where Sophie works.
Best for: fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle.
Things to Know for Your Visit to Ghibli Park
Ghibli Park is definitely a must-visit! Credits: Klook
Guests are only permitted to enter the park at the designated time. You can’t enter earlier or once the window has passed. Re-entry is not allowed. This ties directly to the timed-entry ticket system described above, so build your day around your entry slot.
At the park, live-streaming and long-form videos are prohibited. Guests can take photos and videos at some areas for personal use, but any commercial use is not permitted.
Outside food or beverages are not allowed inside Ghibli Park. Pets are also not permitted to enter the park.
Opening hours differ by day and season, and some areas keep different hours from others—check the official Ghibli Park calendar for the exact date you plan to visit.
Plan the rest of your Ghibli trip
Make a full trip of it with these related Klook guides and pages:
- Ghibli Park — the main attraction destination page
- Ghibli Museum — Mitaka’s Ghibli attraction, a natural add-on for fans
Ghibli Park FAQs
Can I still get same-day tickets to Ghibli Park?
Generally, no. Tickets are sold in advance on a timed, capacity-limited basis and popular dates sell out, so same-day walk-up tickets usually aren’t available. Book ahead through official channels or a partner like Klook.
How do I get to Ghibli Park?
From central Nagoya, take the subway to Fujigaoka Station, then the Linimo line to Ai-Chikyuhaku-kinen-koen (Expo Memorial Park) Station. From Tokyo, ride the shinkansen to Nagoya first (about 1.5–2 hours), then follow the same route.
Is Ghibli Park worth visiting?
For Ghibli fans and lovers of immersive, atmospheric design, yes. It’s about walking through recreated film worlds rather than rides, so set expectations accordingly if you’re after a conventional theme park.
What are the best things to see and do at Ghibli Park?
Highlights by area: Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse (the main indoor hub, with Cinema Orion short films and character exhibits), Hill of Youth (Howl’s-era observation tower and the Cat Bureau), Dondoko Forest (Totoro’s Kusakabe house), Mononoke Village, and Valley of Witches (Kiki’s home and a life-sized moving castle).
What’s included in a Ghibli Park ticket and what are the opening hours?
Tickets are area-based and tied to a specific date and entry time, covering the areas named on the ticket rather than giving run-of-park access. Opening hours vary by day, season, and area, so confirm the official calendar for your date.
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
