![[Ghibli Park Phase II Opening] Entrance to Valley of Witches Almost Complete? Photographed from the outside](https://www.canapina.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240208PhaseII650pixslide-1246x674.png "[Ghibli Park Phase II Opening] Entrance to Valley of Witches Almost Complete? Photographed from the outside")
Ghibli Park will open on November 1, 2022. I noticed that a year has passed since the opening of the park in the blink of an eye.
However, this is a story for the Japanese domestic market.
International Tickets was delayed for about six months until January, when tickets for the second half of March through April went on sale for reservation. (*Ghibli Park will be closed from late February to early March 2024).
This form of ticket sales is still in effect today, and for the time being, ticket reservations are expected to continue for the third month following the current month of sale (the 10th of each month) (from the beginning of the month to the end of the month, excluding days the park is closed).
What we would like to understand a little here is what the local situation (Nagakute, Japan, where Ghibli Park is located) will be like three months after the month of purchase.
To be more specific, it goes without saying that you should keep in mind the weather, accommodations, and even traffic conditions three months from now.
This content will provide information for those who purchase tickets in December, focusing on the weather and accommodations at Ghibli Park in March of the following year, from our perspective as residents of Aichi Prefecture, where Nagakute City is located.
- Weather conditions in March and April at Ghibli Park [Purchase tickets in December]
- The flow of people in March and April in Japan and related trends
- Information on Cherry Blossom Viewing and Hina Doll Festival in March and April
Weather conditions in March and April at Ghibli Park [Purchase tickets in December]
March and April in Japan are not only the transition from winter to spring, but also the time of organizational change in Japan.
Not only is it the transition from winter to spring, but it is also a time of organizational changes based on the Japanese concept of “fiscal year,” as well as events such as school entrance and graduation.
We will introduce these events one by one.
The climate of Ghibli Park in March-April
The weather in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture, where Ghibli Park is located, in March is mid-winter and mid-spring.
The first half of March can be roughly classified as winter, while the second half of the month is more like spring, and in some places, plum and cherry trees bloom beautifully.
Cherry blossoms do not really begin to bloom until mid-March, but you may be able to see them in places with good sunlight. The trees also begin to turn green.
Although Nagakute City is not at a high altitude, it is still cool in shady places due to the fact that it is surrounded by forests.
Please keep in mind the possibility of rainfall and snowfall, as it may snow around the beginning of March.
Average temperature and rainfall in March and April in Nagakute City
The average temperature and the average number of days of rainfall in Nagakute City in March are shown below.
The minimum temperature is 3°C, which is quite low, and the daytime temperature is sometimes below 10°C, so you need to be prepared for cold weather.
As mentioned earlier, the first half of March can still be like winter, so even if the lowest average temperature is 3°C, don’t let your guard down and prepare for the cold.
Average temperature and rainfall in Nagakute City in March
| Month of Ticket Sales | Entry Month | Highest Average Temperature | Lowest average temperature | Rainfall days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | March | 14°C | 3°C | 8days |
Average temperature and rainfall in Nagakute City in April
| Month of Ticket Sales | Entry Month | Highest Average Temperature | Lowest average temperature | Rainfall days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | April | 20°C | 9°C | 9days |
Measures equipment against rain = folding umbrella
![Learn about March at Ghibli Park [Purchase Tickets in December] | folding umbrella](https://www.canapina.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/tsuyu_oritatami_gasa.png)
Learn about March at Ghibli Park [Purchase Tickets in December] | folding umbrella
If you are concerned about the weather, consider purchasing a raincoat or a folding umbrella like the one shown in the illustration.
Usually small enough to fit in a bag, it can be transformed into a rain-shielding umbrella with just a few maneuvers.
Many businessmen and students in Japan carry them in their bags in case it rains on their way home.
These folding umbrellas can be purchased at convenience stores (Family Mart) and supermarkets, for example, as described on another page.
The price depends on the store, but ranges from 500 yen to 1,500 yen. We also brought ours from Japan when we traveled to Europe and found it useful (^^)
Measures equipment against cold = disposable warmer
In particular, travelers from countries south of Japan may find it colder than expected.
Although it will be relatively warm in the latter half of March, the morning and evening temperatures will be slightly cooler due to the difference in temperatures.
Here, we would like to introduce you to a convenient warming product called a disposable warmer, which can be carried around with you and easily warm up parts of your body.
The disposable warmer is sold anywhere in Japan and is inexpensive, costing only 100 to 150 yen, but if you shake it for a few seconds and put it on your underwear or shirt, the warmer will keep you warm for more than 10 hours at about 50 degrees Celsius.
I know many British people who buy these warmers as souvenirs.
There are two types: one you can put on and one you can’t. When you put it on, you can put it on your waist or chest pocket, and the one you can’t put on is useful for keeping your hands warm in your pockets.
Please note that prolonged direct contact with the skin may cause low-temperature burns, so please place them on your body over your underwear or clothing.
![Learn about March at Ghibli Park [Purchase Tickets in December] | disposable warmer](https://www.canapina.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_3482b.jpg)
Learn about March at Ghibli Park [Purchase Tickets in December] | disposable warmer
If you feel a little cold when you come to Fujigaoka, go into a convenience store and show the above image to the clerk.
The message “Are disposable body warmers available?” is written in blue letters in Japanese.
In addition to showing the image, you can also say “Tsukaisute Kairo (Disposable warmer) Kudasai” (meaning “Disposable Warmer, Please” in Japanese) to the clerk. If you are perceptive, the shopkeeper will guide you to the sales floor.
The flow of people in March and April in Japan and related trends
As mentioned earlier, March and April in Japan mark the turn of the “fiscal year.
As a result, there are many transfers, enrollments, graduations, and related changes in organizations and schools.
In terms of peripheral changes, public transportation fees, such as train, highway, bus, and subway fares, as well as their timetables, are also subject to review and change.
In Japan, many people, especially those graduating from high school or college, take a trip with family and friends to commemorate the occasion.
Ghibli Park is one of the most popular destinations for commemorative trips in Japan, so tickets, lodging, and transportation are also affected.
Accommodation Conditions in March and April in Ghibli Park
Although not as common as in the peak season of February, entrance examinations for national and public universities are held in early March.
The middle to the latter half of the month is also a time when new students who have finished their entrance exams and graduation ceremonies early go on commemorative trips around the country.
In 2024, there may be no need to worry about the first half of March.
In addition, accommodations in Aichi Prefecture, where Ghibli Park is located, are not as greatly affected by Chinese New Year as those in Tokyo and Osaka. On the other hand, they have a reputation for being few in number….
Nevertheless, there is a slight shortage of hotels and ryokan in Japan. If you have a certain amount of travel dates in mind, we recommend that you move a little early.
Traffic conditions in Aichi Prefecture in March and April
For the same reason, traffic in March is a little more congested than usual, while in April, the highways are not so crowded, except in late April, which is the time of major holidays in Japan.
Traffic is usually less congested on the highways in April, with the exception of the end of April, which is a major holiday in Japan, and is one or two levels less congested than during the New Year holidays, May (called “week in goal” in Japan), and Obon in mid-August, when many Japanese people travel to Japan.
Travelers may not pay much attention to weekdays and weekends, but trains and long-distance buses are often crowded on weekends, as students are on spring break.
Especially in late April, if you are planning to travel by express bus from the Tokyo or Osaka area, we recommend that you make plans to avoid delays in bus arrival to miss the entrance time to the park.
As for the expressways when traveling by car, you should be able to travel relatively as expected by your navigation system.
Ghibli Park March and April People Movement and Public Transportation
The Japanese “fiscal year” turns in March and April, and in organizations and schools, there are many changes related to personnel transfers, enrollment, graduation, and related activities.
In terms of peripheral changes, there are often revisions and changes to public transportation fees, such as general railroads, expressways, buses, and subways, as well as to their timetables.
Although railroad timetables are rarely revised in Aichi Prefecture, the Japan Railway (JR) has a higher rate of timetable revisions than the Meitetsu (Nagoya Railway) and subway systems in the region.
This information is not directly related to access to Ghibli Park from the Nagoya Station area, but Meitetsu will be revising its fares in March 2024. Although it is unlikely that a timetable revision will be…
Information on Cherry Blossom Viewing and Hina Doll Festival in March and April
Cherry blossom viewing is probably the most famous event in March and April in spring in Japan.
In March and April, when the trees are budding and the plum and cherry blossoms herald the arrival of spring, cherry blossom-related events and festivals are held to pray for a bountiful harvest.
Another important event for Japanese girls, the Girls’ event, is held on the 3rd of March.
Here, we will describe events related to cherry blossoms and information related to the Hina Doll Festival(Hinamatsuri) in Nagoya and the Ghibli Park area.
Cherry blossom-related spots and events
Cherry blossoms in Japan start blooming in February in southern areas, and in Aichi Prefecture, where Ghibli Park is located, they bloom from mid-March to early April.
You can also see cherry blossoms blooming at Ghibli Park if the timing is right, but it is not as spectacular as the spots in Nagoya City that are introduced below.
Starting from Nagoya Station, here are some of the major Nagoya City cherry blossom viewing spots, along with their degree of recommendation and a map.
Cherry blossom viewing at Nagoya Castle
A collaboration of the castle and cherry blossoms that evokes a Japanese atmosphere. About 1,000 cherry trees of about 10 varieties, mostly Someiyoshino and Shidare-zakura, are planted in the castle.
Starting with the weeping cherry in late March, someiyoshino cherry trees come into bloom about a week later, followed by the green-flowered gyoiko cherry trees around mid-April.
Recently, Nagoya Castle has been the site of new and exciting spots and events, and we plan to introduce these in the future as the seasons change.
Tsurumai Park Flower Festival
Opened in 1908 during the Meiji era (1868-1912), Tsurumai Park is the first traditional park under Nagoya City management.
A Western-style park with flowerbeds and a rose garden centering on a fountain tower is located on the west side, and a Japanese garden, mainly consisting of a shobu pond, is located on the east side.
The 750 cherry trees planted in the park attract many cherry blossom-viewing visitors in early April. Just around this time, other seasonal flowers such as azaleas, roses, and Japanese honeysuckles are at their best.
Tsurumai Park is also a place of relaxation for Nagoya citizens, with the buildings remaining from the Meiji and Showa eras, which have been used as motifs in Ghibli films, also a highlight of the park.
It is only two stops away from Nagoya Station, so if you have some free time, why not visit?
From late March to early April, the Flower Festival is held, offering concerts and Japanese tea ceremonies.
Also, although it is far from Studio Ghibli’s works, it is also a prime spot for finding monsters in Pokemon Go.
Yamazaki River lined with cherry trees
The Yamazaki River, which runs slightly south of central Nagoya, is a small river, but is well known among locals for its rows of cherry blossom trees.
The 2 km-long rows of cherry trees along the riverbank, which bloom in late March or April, are well known in Nagoya City and attract many people in spring.
Cherry trees have been planted in Japan since the Edo period (1603-1867), when people regularly stepped on them as a substitute for maintenance (?) of riverbank revetment works. Some people believe that cherry trees were planted in Japan as a way to attract visitors to the embankments, which were regularly stepped on by people to stabilize the embankments in place of maintenance (?) for the revetment construction that had been done since the Edo period.
In fact, most of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan are along rivers of medium size or smaller.
As in other cherry blossom viewing spots, there are almost no people drinking or eating and drinking. It is a place where many people enjoy cherry blossom viewing in an elegant and relaxed atmosphere.
It is a place where you can spend a beautiful time facing the short-lived cherry blossoms. If you have the timing and time, this is a must-visit spot.
Information related to Hina Doll Festival | Tokugawa Art Museum
Another important event of March spring in Japan is the Hina Doll Festival.
It is a gorgeous annual event in Japan to wish for the healthy growth of girls on March 3, the Peach Festival.
If you are staying at a large hotel, you may be able to see hina decorations. Nagoya Castle also sometimes holds related exhibitions.
The Tokugawa Art Museum, located east of the center of Nagoya City, usually holds an exhibition from February to early April where visitors can view a valuable collection of items related to the Hinamatsuri Doll Festival that has been passed down since the Edo period.
In particular, the gorgeous and gorgeous tiered decorations of three generations of the modern Owari Tokugawa family, shown on the following page, are a must-see.
Tokugawa Art Museum is also recommended for its permanent collection
The Tokugawa Art Museum has a permanent collection of works of art inherited from the Tokugawa family, the shoguns of the Edo period.
Although it is rarely featured in guidance researched from overseas, the museum offers a sense of dignity that makes it worth a visit even if it is not the Doll Festival.
One of its holdings is a picture scroll of “The Tale of Genji,” a national treasure. It is especially recommended for those interested in Japanese swords, tea ceremony utensils, and the era of shoguns and samurai.
The following is a link to the Tokugawa Art Museum website. You can also purchase tickets online.
In this article, we have reported on the weather in March and April, including the impact on lodging and public transportation.
Note that the cherry blossom spots along the Yamazaki River are for local visitors only, so please go there secretly! (^^)
(fin)
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