This museum, located in the Mitaka area, is a magical place where you can play and explore the world of Studio Ghibli. Studio Ghibli is best known for its animated films such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle and Castle in the Sky.
The design of this museum is the personal vision of Hayao Miyazaki, Japanese animation director and mangaka who is also the founder of Studio Ghibli. Hayao didn't want the museum's design to be boring. He wanted to create a series of rooms, each of which is a hallmark of his animated film, where visitors can travel together. The motto of this museum is “Maigo ni nar? yo, isshoni,” which means "Let's get lost together".
Upon entering, Totoro will greet you
Visitors will be immediately greeted by Totoro
Upon entering, visitors to the Ghibli Museum are immediately greeted by Totoro, one of the famous characters who is also the mascot of Studio Ghibli. The museum is decorated with colorful frescoes and glass of various animated Studio Ghibli characters, various plants, flowers and forest animals.
In the center called Central Hall, there is a unique building in the form of a tower and dome depicted in films by Hayao Mizayaki.
Only limited visitors allowed to avoid overcrowding
Robot from Laputa: Castle in the Sky
This museum limits the number of visitors who come per day. Apart from exhibiting iconic characters from the Ghibli cartoon, the museum also screens a different short animated film every month at the Saturn Theater. Photography is prohibited in this museum, except at the top of the park where there is also a giant bronze robot from the film Laputa: Castle in the Sky.
There is also a cafe, a gift shop (Mamma Aiuto), a bookstore and an outdoor picnic park where you can sit under the cherry blossoms in March and April. For children under 12 years old, there is also a reading room (Tri-Hawks Reading Room) and a special play room equipped with giant dolls Catbus and Soot Sprites.
One of the attractions at the Studio Ghibli Museum
Admission to the museum is very limited - only 200 admissions per day for overseas visitors. Tickets must be purchased in advance because the museum does not serve ticket sales. Tickets can be purchased online (http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/ticket-information/) or at the Lawson shop.
To get to Mitaka, the best way is by train: take the JR Chuo Main Line from Shinjuku Station. Once you get to Mitaka, you can walk for about 15 minutes to the Ghibli Museum or buy a bus ticket. A special yellow bus called “Nekobasu” filled with cartoons of Studio Ghibli characters will take you to the Ghibli Museum.
The Nekobasu bus ready to pick you up to the Ghibli museum.
