Expertise the magical world of Hayao Miyazaki’s famed Studio Ghibli movies in actual life on the new Ghibli Park in Nagoya!
The world of Studio Ghibli has captured the hearts and imaginations of thousands and thousands worldwide. Hayao Miyazaki’s fantastical thoughts and creativeness have dazzled us for many years. Now, his creations have been transported from the large display to actual life! Ghibli Followers can go to the brand new Studio Ghibli theme park, which opened in November 2022.
From the magical world of Spirited Away to everybody’s favourite My Neighbor Totoro, Studio Ghibli followers can rise up near all of their beloved characters, relive their favourite moments, and take pleasure in some Ghibli treats.
So, let’s discover the brand new Studio Ghibli Park!
The best way to get to Ghibli Park
Ghibli Park is positioned in Nagakute Metropolis in Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya, making it simply accessible by prepare. From Nagoya Station, take the Higashiyama Subway Line to Fujigaoka Station. Change to the overground Linimo Line to Aichikyuhaku Kinenkoen Station, positioned simply in entrance of the north entrance of the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (also referred to as Moricoro Park), the place Ghibli Park is located. A one-way journey will price 670 yen and take roughly 55 minutes.
You may as well take a direct bus from Meitetsu Bus Middle to the Park’s entrance. Whereas it’s extra handy than the prepare, there are fewer buses obtainable, and it prices 1,000 yen, taking roughly 40 minutes (costs in 2024).
Other than the Ghibli Park, the Aichi Commemorative Park has a number of different sights, together with a Japanese-style backyard, an ice-skating rink, and a Ferris wheel.
Ideas Earlier than Visiting Ghibli Park
Visiting Ghibli Park could also be a once-in-a-lifetime alternative for some. To benefit from the day, I wish to share a number of ideas primarily based on my expertise.
Reserving in Advance
The Ghibli Park web site has a devoted worldwide part, all in English, explaining the kinds of tickets obtainable and what they provide you entry to.
First, the park is split into 5 sections:
- Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse
- Hill of Youth
- Dondoko Forest
- Valley of Witches
- Mononoke Village.
The day move grants entry to all 5 areas and prices 3,500 yen for adults and 1,750 yen for youngsters on weekdays. On weekends, it rises to 4,000 yen and a couple of,000 yen, respectively. For infants aged 0-3 years outdated, entry is free.
There’s a premium day move, which I extremely advocate for the total expertise! The premium move grants entry to the identical 5 areas and 5 particular buildings inside every space: World Emporium, Satsuki and Mei’s Home, The Okino Residence, Howl’s Fortress, and The Home of Witches.
Whereas footage and movies are forbidden in every constructing, the expertise is nicely price it, as each masterfully replicates scenes from the flicks.
The premium move prices 7,300 yen for adults and three,650 yen for youngsters on weekdays. On weekends, it rises to 7,800 yen and three,900 yen, respectively. Entry is free for infants aged 0-3 years outdated.
Tickets go on sale two months prematurely and promote out shortly, so be ready and schedule the day and time they’re obtainable to buy. You may examine extra particulars on the web site.
Moreover, the Grand Warehouse has a particular entry time that you could select upon buying your ticket, so plan accordingly.
Get There Early
On weekdays, Ghibli Park is open from 10 am to five pm, whereas on weekends, it’s open from 9 am to five pm. I strongly advocate getting there as early as potential, as many individuals are queuing. I went on a weekday and arrived at 10 am, however there was already a 30-minute wait to enter the Grand Warehouse.
As it’s the major attraction, every spot inside will doubtless have a queue. There was a line to take an image with No Face from Spirited Away, which was two hours lengthy! That’s over 1 / 4 of the time on the park to take only one photograph. After all, you do not need to go there however be ready in case you are.
Put on Acceptable Clothes
Every attraction is unfold throughout the Expo Park, so put on appropriate footwear for strolling. Whereas free shuttle buses run all through, they’re nearly at all times crowded (think about these busy Tokyo trains), so it might be greatest to stroll. There are additionally spots the place you could climb many stairs, so snug sneakers are really useful. A bus is accessible from Mononoke Village to Dondoko Forest. You should purchase tickets at every bus cease, which price 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for youngsters.
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse
Beneficial Time: 2-3 hours
The Grand Warehouse is the principle attraction, with a particular entry time of your alternative. You need to enter inside one hour of your designated time, and you can not re-enter upon leaving.
From the north entrance, you’ll be greeted by an elevator tower impressed by Laputa: Fortress within the Sky and Howl’s Transferring Fortress. You should use this or the trail to the facet. Upon descending, the Grand Warehouse will likely be in your proper.
The within is crammed with spectacular shows of all the favored Ghibli motion pictures. The central courtyard is embellished in colourful mosaic tiles with the Big Flying Ship from Laputa: Fortress within the Sky floating above.
Featured Film Scenes Contained in the Warehouse
All through the warehouse, there are 14 scenes from 13 movies. Standard spots embody the prepare scene with No Face, a true-to-scale Laputian Robotic (solely obtainable at Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum in Mitaka till now), and a small recreation of the world of Arrietty.
You may take footage along with your favourite characters and scenes, however there’ll doubtless be queues for every spot.
Every spot is filled with small particulars from the movies, so take your time exploring each and attempt to spot all of the references.
As I briefly talked about, the queue for No Face was 2 hours lengthy! I overheard some individuals questioning what they had been really lining up for, solely to find it was only for one image! If you wish to take pleasure in each attraction within the park at a leisurely tempo, I don’t advocate lining up for this.
Climbing up the steps from the central courtyard, you’ll discover a small theater enjoying two unique Studio Ghibli motion pictures: Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess and Koro’s Huge Day Out. I extremely advocate this, as you gained’t be capable to see them wherever else! On the opposite facet is a small playroom for youths, together with a cat bus!
On the far facet, you possibly can stroll via Minami-machi, a nostalgic-looking buying road lined with retailers promoting unique items reminiscent of playing cards and fashions.
On the again, there’s a reward store with each Ghibli-themed memento you possibly can think about. From puzzles and magnets to snacks and keyrings, take your Ghibli Park recollections house.
Simply subsequent to the reward store is a milk stand providing Siberia Spong Cake from The Wind Rises and a glass bottle of milk.
Transcontinental Flight Café
Within the southern part of the warehouse, there’s a separate cafe providing numerous sandwiches, drinks, and snacks. Whereas there’s a lot to select from, all the things we had was nothing too particular about the usual you’ll count on at a theme park.
Hill of Youth
Beneficial Time: half-hour
To the left of the elevator tower, you’ll discover the Hill of the Youth space, showcasing the world of Whisper of the Coronary heart. You’ll first enter from the again and into The Rotary, straight out of the movie.
Inside, you’ll discover the Cat Bureau from The Cat Returns. Different characters embody Muta and Baro.
The World Emporium is a meticulous reproduction of Nishi’s vintage store from Whisper of the Coronary heart. Step inside, and also you’ll discover a wide range of antiques, identical to these within the movie.
Don’t miss the clock that chimes and performs music sometimes. You may even buy and write a postcard, then ship it within the postbox simply exterior, including a private contact to your go to.
Downstairs is the violin workshop, which is simply as spectacular and makes it really feel like everyone seems to be about to burst out with “Nation Highway” in unison.
Dondoko Forest
Beneficial Time: 1 hour
On the japanese facet of the park, amongst the forests, is Dondoko Park, the place you possibly can enter the world of My Neighbour Totoro. Alongside the way in which, you possibly can take a pit cease by Dondoko-dokoro for a snack or drink.
On the entrance, you’ll discover a set of stairs resulting in Dondoko-do. On the prime, a large 5-metre Totoro awaits you! Kids below 12 years outdated can climb inside, making it a pleasant photograph spot.
Subsequent to Totoro is a small memento store promoting Totoro-themed items reminiscent of figures and omamori.
Premium move holders can enter Satsuki and Mei’s Home. You may take footage from the surface, however it’s prohibited inside.
This was one in every of my favourite sights (primarily as a result of My Neighbour Totoro is one in every of my favourite Ghibli movies), as the home is so immersive. You may play with the ornaments and tools from the water pumps and inside the cabinets and wardrobes.
The daddy’s workplace was essentially the most spectacular room in the home, with the sheer quantity of books, papers, and stationery meticulously positioned to duplicate the movie.
Exterior, cross the bridge onto a small island, the place you possibly can see the spot the place Satsuki and Mei planted their acorn given by Totoro!
Valley of Witches
Beneficial Time: 1-2 hours
Valley of the Witches lately opened on March sixteenth, 2024, and is predicated on Kiki’s Supply Service and Howl’s Transferring Fortress. It’s the park’s most in depth, curated, and spectacular space.
As quickly as you enter the grounds, you’re whisked away right into a fantastical world. Enter via the Mouth of the Witch and into the old style brick village. Subsequent to the doorway is a brick constructing that homes a restaurant and a store with unique items and treats.
The primary major attraction is The Okino Residence, the place Kiki lived earlier than leaving to coach to be a witch. Exterior, you possibly can take an image with the brooms as in case you had been a witch! Inside, you could find the witch’s store coated in hanging flowers, in addition to Kiki’s room on the second ground.
The following major attraction is Howl’s Fortress, which is just obtainable for premium move holders. It is a must-visit! The eye to element is unimaginable! From the lounge and Calcifer’s furnace to Howl’s bed room, adorned with numerous ornaments, it looks like you’re dwelling in his fort.
You may discover the two-story constructing and get panoramic views over the realm from the assorted balconies.
Exterior the fort, you possibly can line up and take an image with The Prince cursed as a scarecrow!
In case you have the time, you possibly can head over to the Guchokipanya Bakery from Kiki’s Supply Service. You should purchase authentic breads and units, a few of which had been offered out throughout our go to. There was additionally an hour-long queue, so be ready to attend.
You may as well trip the carousel, which is embellished with some standard characters whereas traditional Ghibli film songs echo all through the realm. Kids aged 3-12 price 500 yen and adults 1000 yen.
Mononoke Village
Beneficial Time: half-hour
Mononoke Village was the smallest and, in all honesty, essentially the most lackluster space of the park. The world portrays the world of Princess Mononoke as a rural panorama from the Muromachi interval (1336-1573). Nonetheless, there was an absence of show and immersion like the opposite areas.
Yow will discover a slide sculpted as Lord Okkoto and a Demon Spirit statue.
There may be additionally a small memento store promoting some unique treats and drinks. On the again, there’s a mochi-making expertise for an additional price. Sadly, we didn’t have the time to go to.
In order that was our information to the brand new Ghibli Park! Whether or not you’re a Ghibli fan or only a informal customer, there’s a lot to do, see, and take pleasure in that it makes for a enjoyable day trip! Be sure that to get the premium move and immerse your self on this planet of Studio Ghibli!
