Ghibli Park in Nagoya, Japan
Heads up, Studio Ghibli fans! Ghibli Park, in the heart of Nagoya, is where you can catch all your favourite characters such as Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and No-Face.
Inspired by Studio Ghibli’s iconic films, the park currently has 4 themed-spaces and multiple exhibits based on studio classics such as My Neighbour Totoro, Whisper of the Heart, and The Cat Returns. Their latest exhibit to open is the Mononoke Village and an additional area is set to be unveiled in March 2024.
See a life-size Totoro & visit the Chikyuu-ya
The 17.5 acre park was constructed without cutting down a single tree. This is with respect to director Hayao Miyazaki’s wish to breathe life into the fantasy of Ghibli, without taking any away from the environment.
Image credit: Ghibli Park
You may realise this at the Dondoko Forest, where Satsuki and Mei’s house is encircled by lush greenery, comparable to the on-screen forest in My Neighbour Totoro.
Image credit: @fu_0220 via Instagram
In this quaint lil’ countryside abode, you may step into the shoes of the main characters and then hang out with a life-size Totoro – who’s a casual 5.2m tall.
Admission fee: ¥1,000/adult (~S$9.14), ¥500/child (~S$4.57)
Opening hours: 9am-3pm, Daily
Image adapted from: @hisashitakimoto & @kayoito0013 via Instagram
On the Hill of Youth, you will be greeted by a brick-red antique shop resembling the Chikyuu-ya from Whisper of the Heart, and an observatory tower with similar steampunk elements to Howl’s Moving Castle. There, you can also catch a birds-eye view of the entire park and explore the insides of the shop.
Image credit: @ts_bechi via Instagram
When you’re back on the ground, head further in to check out a miniature version of the Cat Bureau from The Cat Returns.
Admission fee: ¥1,000/adult (~S$9.14), ¥500/child (~S$4.57)
Opening hours: 9am-4pm, Daily
Image credit: @nskh.107 via Instagram
Last but not least, enter Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse to wander around like Chihiro in the curious town of Spirited Away. The warehouse is a Pandora’s box for all things Studio Ghibli, including precious Ghibli artefacts, studio secrets, and brand new exhibits.
Image adapted from: @glorinayesa via Instagram
Keep your eyes peeled for Laputa: Castle in The Sky’s Robot Soldier, My Neighbour Totoro’s Cat Bus and exact scene-remodelings from The Secret World of Arrietty.
Totoro-themed merchandise is up for grabs.
Image credit: @tarah.park_ via Instagram
There are also merchandise shops, quirky restaurants, children’s playgrounds, and a 170-seat theatre to look forward to.
Admission fee: Weekdays: ¥2,500/adult (~S$22.84), ¥1,250/child (~S$11.42) | Weekends/PH: ¥3,000/adult (~S$27.41), ¥1,500/child (~S$13.71)
Opening hours: 9am-3pm, Daily
Valley of Witches set to open in 2024
The park recently unveiled an all-new Mononoke Village on 1st November this year, and there’s more to look forward to as the Valley of Witches is set to open on 16th March 2024.
These exciting additions will immerse visitors in the enchanting worlds of beloved Ghibli films, including Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and The Secret World of Arrietty.
Artist’s rendering of the Mononoke Village.
Image credit: Ghibli Park
Unlike your usual theme parks, Ghibli’s does not feature any carnival rides, as it believes in sticking to the setting of its films and offering visitors an organic, immersive experience. And from the way things are looking, it seems like they will be delivering on their promise.
Artist’s rendering of Howl’s Castle from Howl’s Moving Castle.
Image credit: Ghibli Park
Move aside Disney and Universal Studios, new kid Ghibli’s in town. In the meantime, you can mollify your Ghibli fantasies by creating scenes at these Studio Ghibli places in Singapore.
How to get tickets to Ghibli Park?
International tickets for the months of November 2023 up to January 2024 can be purchased via Lawson tickets. Meanwhile, for Japanese residents, tickets for the months of November 2023 up to January 2024 can be purchased online via Boo-Woo tickets.
Take note that both international and domestic tickets are limited to advance reservations.
Can you bring food into Ghibli Park?
Feel free to chow down on the tasty treats available inside the park, but remember, they’ve got a no-go policy on outside food. Luckily, you can still savour your homemade goodies just outside the park’s boundaries.
Does Ghibli Park accept non-cash payments?
Don’t worry about payment methods as well; the park is flexible and accepts everything from Visa to e-Payments and QR code options.
Does Ghibli Park allow guests to take pictures and videos?
Pics or you weren’t there, right? While the park allows picture and video taking for personal use, just remember, they’re not down with live streams or any commercial broadcasting.
Getting there: Hop on a 40-minute bullet train to Nagoya via Tokyo station.
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Other cool new overseas attractions:
- Strange attractions around the world
- Panoramic train from Jakarta to Bandung
- Disney cruise coming to Singapore
Cover image adapted from: @fu_0220 , @nskh.107 & @glorinayesa via Instagram
Originally published on 15th August 2022. Last updated by Shivani Supramani on 4th November 2023.