Most of us are dearly familiar with some of most popular Ghibli characters like Totoro, Ponyo, and Kiki.
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese Animation Film Studio based in Koganei, Tokyo and is best known for its animated feature films like My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and many more.
This Studio Ghibli-themed park is a dream come true whether you’re a Studio Ghibli fan or not. Imagine a whimsical wonderland intricately designed to transport you right into Hayao Miyazaki’s imaginary world of Ghibli filled with quirky lovable characters and fantastical scenes straight out of the films.
So, what’s the catch and how do people will enjoy it considering it as a theme park?
Ghibli Park is obviously aiming for a quainter, more introspective atmosphere than the exciting bombast of more conventional theme parks, which would be impossible to achieve without very strict attendance limits, given how large the studio’s fanbase is in Japan.
The Studio Ghibli Park is located in Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, less than two hours from Kyoto by train. We are expecting that there are three of the five planned areas will be ready. The main one is Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, an indoor facility that will house artifacts and exhibits from films including the Robot Soldier from “Castle in the Sky,” the Catbus from “Totoro,” and another recreation out of the “The Secret World of Arrietty.”
The second area, “Hill of Youth,” features the antique shop from “Whisper of the Heart” and another recreation from “The Cat Returns.” And the third is Dondoko Forest with a full recreation of Satsuki and Mei’s house from “My Neighbor Totoro” and a Totoro-themed playground.
How exciting is that?
One of the two areas that will open later (“maybe after 2023” the park’s press office said) is Mononoke Village, referencing “Princess Mononoke” and her adventure among large forest animal gods.
The other is the Valley of Witches, which will include some parts from the trippy “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and who the hell forgets about “Kiki’s Delivery Service”? The story about an earnest and hardworking young witch. So freaking adorable.
Tickets are now available online for dates beginning November 1. Reservations are required, as there will not be day-of tickets sold. You must buy separate tickets for each attraction you want to visit.
For more information on how to buy tickets, check out the Ghibli Park ticketing website here.
