Ghibli Park, long awaited by Ghibli fans around the world, will finally open its doors on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
Have you made progress in planning and arranging your trip and getting your luggage ready?
If COVID-19 has stretched your trip to Japan, be sure to stop by Nagoya, Japan’s third largest city, and most importantly, Aichi Prefecture, where Ghibli Park is located.
* Ghibli Park unofficial Preview Summary on YouTube
A strong choice for a trip to Japan, Aichi Prefecture offers many different options, including trains, automobiles, Legoland theme parks, and a unique culinary culture.
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park by Japan Railway Tokai
Lego Land Japan Resort
This site will provide information on Ghibli Park, from pre-opening information to recommended information on the surrounding area, mainly in Aichi Prefecture.
This article will provide basic information about Ghibli Park.
What is Ghibli Park?
On November 1, 2022, Ghibli Park, a theme park inspired by Studio Ghibli’s works, will finally be born.
The decision to build Ghibli Park was made in 2017, and Studio Ghibli and local companies, with the backing of Aichi Prefecture and other public organizations, are constructing the park in preparation for its opening.
Ghibli Park Web site (Japanese)
Studio Ghibli has been producing impressive and inspiring animated works for over 30 years, but strangely enough, no such thing as a theme park has ever been built.
One exception is the Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Museum in Mitaka City, Tokyo, produced by Studio Ghibli.
The concept of Ghibli Park is the same as that of the museum: “Take your time and enjoy”
At the Mitakanomori Ghibli Museum in Ghibli Park, you can see objects that could be the base of Ghibli Park.
See beautiful images posted by Google Maps users.
The original Ghibli Park, the Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Museum of Art, opened in October 2001.
The museum operates a complete reservation and capacity system, which is unusual for a Japanese museum, and visitors must make a schedule and purchase tickets before visiting.
This measure was taken in response to the growing popularity of Ghibli, and embodies Studio Ghibli’s concept of “slow down and enjoy”.
As will be explained in more detail later, the concept of the Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Museum of Art is also applied to Ghibli Park, which also requires the purchase of a ticket reservation for admission.
Ghibli Park is located in Expo Memorial Park Aichi, Japan (Moricoro Park)
Ghibli Park is located in the Ai Chikyu Expo Memorial Park (a.k.a. Moricoro Park) in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture.
Nagakute City is located next to Nagoya City, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, and is easily accessible from Shinkansen(Bulle train) stations and airports.
It is a rural area with abundant greenery, bordered by the forested Seto City to the northeast.
Nagakute City, where Ghibli Park is located, is a lush green area
The fact that the area is surrounded by lush greenery with lots of nature is one of the reasons why Ghibli Park was built.
Many of Studio Ghibli’s works have the theme of harmony and coexistence with nature, and perhaps the location was ideal for reflecting that worldview.
Ghibli Park has no major attractions
The most famous theme parks in Japan are Disney Resort in Tokyo, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, and Legoland in Aichi Prefecture, but Ghibli Park is not planned to have large-scale ride attractions like those in these theme parks.
According to Studio Ghibli, Ghibli Park is “created in consultation with the forest. It is a place where visitors can walk through the forest and along the paths on their own feet, feel the air and wind, and discover the secrets.
Waiting excitedly for your turn to enjoy the attractions is not a bad thing, but it might be better to take your time and explore the world of Ghibli’s works at your own pace without being rushed by anything.
Opening Schedule for Ghibli Park
This section explains the opening dates of Ghibli Park.
Ghibli Park is divided into five areas, with each area opening at a different time.
The five areas will be opened in two phases, with three areas opening in 2022 and the remaining two in 2023.
3 areas of Ghibli Park open in Nov. 2022
The three areas that opened in 2022 will be the following three.
I will introduce information on each of them as far as we currently know.
- The Hill of Youth Area
- Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse Area
- Dondoko Forest Area
1.”The Hill of Youth” Area
After passing through the North Entrance of Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, which will be transformed into a landscape in harmony with Ghibli Park, you will first be greeted by “Seishun no Oka” (Hill of Youth).
In this area, the worlds of “The Cat Returns” and “Whisper of the heart” are expressed.
The Cat Returns
The Cat Returns - WikipediaWhisper of the heart
Whisper of the Heart - Wikipedia
In the nostalgic atmosphere of a residential area built in the image of a residential area in the early Heisei era, “Chikyubiya,” a store that repairs and sells antique furniture and clocks that appear in “Whisper of the heart” is located.
There is also the “Rotary Square” that appears in the movie. Visitors will be able to experience the atmosphere of the film through the reproduction of a telephone booth, bulletin board, and other items.
The “Cat’s Office,” which appears in “The Cat Returns,” has also been recreated from the cat’s point of view, and its furniture and accessories can be seen up close.
The Seishun no Oka is the entrance to Ghibli Park
The Hill of Youth Area is the entrance area that leads visitors into the world of “Ghibli Park.”
The existing elevator facility has been renovated into an “elevator tower.
The interior and exterior design incorporates elements of late 19th century fantasy science as represented in “Howl’s Moving Castle.
2. “Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse” Area
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse is an indoor facility, a sort of warehouse filled with various exhibits of Studio Ghibli’s works.
The aforementioned Ghibli Museum is three times the size of the Mitakanomori Ghibli Museum, and is a nostalgic and fanciful blend of Japanese and Western art.
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse is filled with exhibits of popular works.
The “Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse” is packed with exhibits based on the following four films
Castle in the sky
Castle in the Sky - WikipediaMy Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro - WikipediaSpirited Away
Spirited Away - WikipediaArietty
Arrietty - Wikipedia
From “Laputa: Castle in the Sky,” the “Garden in the Sky,” the garden of Laputa in ruins, will be recreated.
The giant flying ship that appears in the film will be installed at a scale of approximately 6 meters in length.
The house and the garden with its lush vegetation are inspired by the world of “Arrietty the Borrower” and the house where Arrietty and her family live.
The house and plants are reproduced on a large set, so visitors can simulate the world of Arrietty and her family from the perspective of a dwarf.
Facilities for children to play in the world of “My Neighbor Totoro” will be provided, and a cat bus playground will also be set up.
3. “Dondoko Forest” Area
The “Dondoko Forest( in Japanese, Dondoko Mori) Area” will be a space that reflects the world of Totoro.
The “Dondoko” in “Dondoko Forest” is named after the “Dondoko Dance” in “My Neighbor Totoro” in which Satsuki, May and Totoro dance to pray for the germination of the seeds they planted.
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro - Wikipedia
The “Dondokoro Forest” will be developed in the image of the rural landscape of the Showa Period (40-50 years ago), which is reminiscent of the world of “My Neighbor Totoro”.
There will be a wooden playground equipment called “Dondoko-do” in the shape of Totoro wearing a hat.
Recommending Totoro’s “Satsuki and May’s House”
This area includes “Satsuki and May’s House,” which has been in the Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park for some time, and “Dondokodo,” a wooden playground equipment in the shape of Totoro wearing a hat, will also be installed in this area.
Ghibli Park area scheduled to open in 2023
Two areas of Ghibli Park are scheduled to open in the fall of 2023, approximately one year after the above three areas.
“Mononoke Village” Area
“Mononoke Village” will be developed based on the motif of the Emishi village and the Tatara fields in “Princess Mononoke”.
The area is designed to resemble a traditional Japanese satoyama.
It is integrated with “Aichi Satolabo” in the Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, where visitors can experience and learn about satoyama.
Visitors can actually experience and learn in the facilities that appear in “Princess Mononoke,” such as the “tatara field” and “charcoal hut” that will be developed in the area.
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke - Wikipedia
The “Aichi Sato-Lab” is integrated with the scenery of the “Aichi Sato-Lab” where visitors can experience learning about satoyama in the Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, and experience learning in the facilities that appear in “Princess Mononoke” such as the “taraba” and “charcoal hut” to be developed in the area.
“Valley of the Witches” Area
This is another area that is eagerly awaited for completion.
A space with motifs of “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “The Kiki’s Delivery Service” is being developed.
Ghibli’s magical and imaginary space “Valley of the Witches” Area
The Valley of the Witches Area is inspired by the world of “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “The Kiki’s Delivery Service” the stories of Howl and a young girl.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Howl's Moving Castle (film) - WikipediaKiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki's Delivery Service - Wikipedia
The magical and fanciful Northern European-style space will include a realistic reproduction of “Howl’s Castle” from “Howl’s Moving Castle” and the hat store where the character Sophie works.
From “The Kiki’s Delivery Service,” Kiki’s family home, “Okino House,” will also make an appearance.
In addition to the play facilities, the park will also include a restaurant building by the pond.
It will be an area where visitors can experience a complex of exhibits, play, and rest.
How do you get admission to Ghibli Park?
Now that you have a general idea of the areas of Ghibli Park, what do you need to know about the park?
Next, we will show you how to enter Ghibli Park.
Since this information is before the park opens, we recommend that you check the information yourself right before the park opens.
Admission Fee for Ghibli Park
Admission fees for theme parks, not only in Japan but also in other countries, tend to increase year by year.
When I went with my friend, it was less of a burden. Many people may feel that the incentive to get married and add to their family has grown, but the burden has also increased.
You may also be concerned about the admission fee to Ghibli Park, but don’t worry.
Fortunately, the prices are inexpensive.
The fee structure for each Ghibli Park area was announced a few days ago, and is also reported on this site as a preliminary report.
This may be largely due to the fact that there are few attractions that cost a lot of money for their facilities, but it is also due to Studio Ghibli’s concept of “hating to make money”.
The fact that the park is located in a facility owned by Aichi Prefecture may also be a contributing factor.
List of Admission Fees for Ghibli Park
Adult fees range from 1,000 yen to 2,500 yen per area, and children pay half that price.
List of Ghibli Park fee structure as below.
Please refer to the official sales site, Boo-Woo Tickets(Japanese).
Age Group | Area Fee | “Youth Hill” & “Dondokoo Forest” Area | “Ghibli’s Big Warehouse” Area |
Adult: weekday fee | 1000yen | 2000yen |
Adult: holiday fee | 1000yen | 2500yen |
Children’s: weekday fee | 500yen | 1000yen |
Children’s: holiday fee | 500yen | 1250yen |
The following fee structure for disabled persons is also available.
Age Group | Area Fee | “Youth Hill” & “Dondoko Forest” Area | “Ghibli’s Big Warehouse” Area |
Disable Adult: weekday fee | 500yen | 1000yen |
Disable Adult: holiday fee | 500yen | 1500yen |
Disable Child’s: weekday fee | 250yen | 500yen |
Disable Child’s: holiday fee | 250yen | 625yen |
Half price for adults from 4 years old to 12 years old (elementary school students) and younger
All children (4 years old and up, elementary school students and younger) are half the price of adults, and children 3 years old and younger are free.
* The Japanese elementary school year begins in April and ends in March of the following year.
Tickets for each area of Ghibli Park must be purchased by reservation.
As you can see from the list above, Ghibli Park is divided into several areas, each of which requires an admission fee.
Please note that reservations must be purchased.
Studio Ghibli recommends that you visit one area per day.
As mentioned above, since Studio Ghibli advocates taking your time, we recommend that you take as many days as your schedule allows and immerse yourself in the beautiful forests of Japan and the world of Ghibli.
If your schedule does not allow for such a long visit, it may be effective to visit different areas in the morning and in the afternoon.
Ticket sales for Ghibli Park scheduled to begin in August 2022.
When it comes to pre-ordering and purchasing tickets, the question is when tickets will go on sale.
Ticket sales are scheduled to begin in August 2022 (according to local newspaper reports).
As soon as we know how exactly to purchase tickets, we will introduce them on this site as soon as possible.
Also, at this time (early May 2022), before the park opens, there are no plans to issue annual passports.
Ghibli Park’s Location
Ghibli Park is located in the Aichi Expo MemorialPark.
The main accesses are listed below the map.
1533-1 Ibaragabasama, Nagakute, Aichi
Access to Ghibli Park
There are two ways to get to Ghibli Park: by Linimo from Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park Station, or by car (private car or cab).
Most visitors from overseas will pass through Nagoya Station, so the starting point is Nagoya Station.
For those coming from Aichi International Airport (Centrair), it is convenient to go out once to Nagoya Station.
The following information is only a guide. We recommend that you use the method that suits you best when actually visiting.
Access to Ghibli Park by train
The following is the recommended access to Ghibli Park by train.
This is the access method from Nagoya Station, the largest railroad station in Aichi Prefecture and a terminal for Shinkansen trains that connect to the rest of Japan.
Travel distance: approx. 20.4 km / Approximate fare: 670 yen (total) / Approx. time required: approx. 61 minutes
Access to Ghibli Park by car
The following are recommended ways to get to Ghibli Park by car.
There is also a bus stop named “Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park,” and there is a way to get there by Meitetsu bus.
However, even I myself, who live in this area, find the timetable of this Meitetsu bus very confusing. Moreover, there are only a few buses, so I do not recommend it.
If you prefer to go by car, I recommend renting a car or taking a cab.
*This is the expressway toll/ Additional charge for cab: approx. 8,450yen
Official Web & YouTube
The official Ghibli Park website was launched in February 2022.
“Play along with the wind” | Ghibli park Promotion Video
Along with this, a promotional video for Ghibli Park is also available on YouTube.
It is a beautiful video that briefly introduces photogenic spots in Aichi Prefecture, and we recommend that you take a look at it.
The “Satsuki and May’s House” shown in the thumbnail exists in the Dondoko Forest area, but the house itself was built long ago.
The house is a faithful reproduction of the house where “My Neighbor Totoro” takes place, and is a must-visit for fans of the film.
We can watch a video of the Ghibli Park under construction
Various Ghibli Park information videos have already been uploaded on YouTube, but below is a rare video that shows the construction in progress as of April 2022.
You can already see the tower so large from Linimo train’s Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park station.
This tower is already in operation, so if you can make it, please go out and see it.
It’s quite a fantastic scenery… ^^;
Summary of Ghibli Park Basic Information
The following is a summary of Ghibli Park, how to enter, how to purchase tickets, and how to access the park.
The point to note is that tickets must be purchased in advance .
This is information about Ghibli Park, which is more affordable than other theme parks.
I will let you know here when tickets and other information is updated.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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