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Ghibli Park Japan is an unmissable destination for hardcore Japanese anime fans. Let's explore the world's first Ghibli theme park with Mytour.
What is Ghibli?
Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1985 by legendary directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. The name Ghibli is inspired by the Italian word 'ghibli,' meaning 'Sahara wind,' reflecting Miyazaki's desire to bring a 'new breeze' to the anime industry.
Ghibli is famous for its artistically crafted animated films, emphasizing humanistic values and love for nature. Ghibli's works often feature diverse content, from mysterious fairy tales to heartwarming slice-of-life stories, suitable for all ages.
Ghibli is considered one of the most successful animation studios in the world. Its works have received numerous prestigious awards and are beloved by millions of fans worldwide.
Studio Ghibli's movies are renowned for their stunning animation, rich storytelling, and profound themes. Some of their famous films include 'Princess Mononoke', 'Spirited Away', 'My Neighbor Totoro', 'Howl's Moving Castle', and 'Ponyo'. They feature adorable and iconic characters like Totoro, a large and lovable forest spirit from the movie 'My Neighbor Totoro'. Ghibli's works often convey messages about love, environment, and the value of family. If you're a hardcore Ghibli animation fan, you must visit Ghibli Park at least once in your life!
Introducing Ghibli Park Japan
Ghibli Park is an anime-themed amusement park located in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The park is divided into five areas: Ghibli's Grand Warehouse Area, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village, and Witch Valley.
- Ghibli's Grand Warehouse Area exhibits artifacts, models, and original sketches from famous Ghibli films.
- Hill of Youth is a peaceful hillside with quaint old houses reminiscent of scenes from 'My Neighbor Totoro'.
- Dondoko Forest is a dense forest with giant Dondoko trees, where visitors can encounter the adorable Totoro.
- Mononoke Village is a rustic village with strong Japanese cultural influences, recreating the setting from 'Princess Mononoke'.
- Witch Valley is a mysterious valley with Yubaba's house, the powerful witch from 'Spirited Away'.
Ghibli Park opened on November 1, 2022, and quickly became a popular tourist destination. The park is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Where is Ghibli Park Located?
Ghibli Park, a magical wonderland, is nestled within the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, near Nagoya city. From Tokyo, you can reach here in just about 3 hours by train, making it perfect for a day trip.
Upon completion, the park will cover an area of approximately 17.5 hectares, surrounded by lush green landscapes, reminiscent of scenes from Studio Ghibli's beloved films.
Reference Ticket Prices for Ghibli Park
The admission ticket to Ghibli Park is priced at 2,000 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children. However, you can opt for the 1-Day Ghibli Park Tour with Round-Trip Transportation from Nagoya on Mytour for convenient and cost-effective travel.
Visit Ghibli Park in a Day from Nagoya
Dreaming of immersing yourself in Ghibli's magical world but worried about transportation and admission tickets? Then don't miss out on this enticing all-inclusive tour, taking you from Nagoya to Ghibli Park in just a day. The tour itinerary includes:
Especially, the first and second floors of the World Store also feature a balcony overlooking the Expo 2005 Aichi Memorial Park, offering visitors a magnificent view.
3. Dondoko Forest
If you're a hardcore fan of the animated film My Neighbor Totoro (1988), then you mustn't miss out on the Donkomori area (Donko Forest). The name of the forest area is inspired by the Dondoko dance that the two sisters Satsuki and Mei perform with the Totoro spirit. From Ghibli's Large Warehouse area, visitors can walk about 20 minutes or take a bus to reach the Dondoko Forest.
This is where the complete replica of the houses of the two sisters Satsuki and Mei in the movie is recreated. In addition, Dondokomori also has a Totoro-themed play area with the famous Totoro cat statue. This area will also be home to a wooden Totoro statue called 'Dondoko-do'.
4. Mononoke's Village
Stepping into Mononoke's Village, you'll witness a realistic recreation of Tatara-ba - the iron production area depicted in the film 'Princess Mononoke'.
Tatara refers to Japan's traditional iron smelting furnace, where iron and steel are produced. Meanwhile, Mononoke signifies spirits or supernatural creatures. The entire setting is designed to recreate the rural scenery of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the historical era depicted in the film.
Not only can visitors explore, but they can also experience making Gohei-mochi, a fragrant grilled rice cake, over charcoal themselves. Gohei-mochi is a local specialty in the mountain towns of Aichi and neighboring provinces. Made from glutinous rice flour, topped with sauce, and grilled over charcoal. At Tatara-ba, you can choose your favorite sauce and grill the cakes on traditional charcoal grills. Each grilling experience costs 1,200 yen (about 10.90 USD).
5. Valley of Witches
Next up is the Valley Of Witches - inspired by scenes from 'Howl's Moving Castle'. Visitors to the Ghibli Park will get to visit a house surrounded by crops and a lavender garden of Kiki's family.
The bakery where Kiki lives and works is also recreated, and of course, you can buy loaves of bread similar to those in the movie. Upstairs, passengers will find the room where Kiki lives while working at the bakery.
Does Ghibli Park Have a High-Speed Roller Coaster?
If you're seeking adrenaline-pumping rides like high-speed roller coasters, you might be a bit disappointed as Ghibli Park won't feature any intense thrill rides. In fact, there won't be character meet-and-greets or Ghibli film music blasting over loudspeakers.
Instead, the park is designed to provide an immersive experience, making you feel like you've stepped into a character from Studio Ghibli's animated films!
The minds behind the park share that a lot of passion will be poured into creating the space, with the goal of preserving the natural beauty and tranquility of the memorial park.
Director Miyazaki himself emphasizes that not a single tree will be cut down during construction so that visitors can truly immerse themselves in a world reminiscent of the lush animated landscapes in the films.
Exploring Your Favorite Scenes from Ghibli Films
Mei and Satsuki's House: Step into the Japanese-Western fusion-style house from 'My Neighbor Totoro'. Admire the round dining table with bento boxes prepared by Mei and Satsuki themselves.
Enchanted Tunnel: Venture through the magical tunnel, just like the one Mei discovered in 'My Neighbor Totoro'. Get ready to step into the mysterious world beyond and see what awaits you!
Ghibli Park promises visitors a unique experience where they can immerse themselves in the magical world of Ghibli animated films. It's not just about simple amusement rides; the park is a place to ignite imagination, nurture the soul, and spread messages of love to everyone.
Visit Mytour Vietnam's Blog for the latest updates on travel in Japan, such as Latest Japan Travel Experiences; Kintetsu Rail Pass: Explore Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Nara for only 350,000 VND; 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Travel Itinerary…
Will you be visiting Ghibli Park in Japan?
