Ghibli Museum

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 Updated

World of Ghibli Come to Life | Tokyo

Featured Destination on our Anime Japan Tours vacation series.

Fans of Totoro, Ponyo, and all things Studio Ghibli are sure to love the expansive Ghibli Museum in Mitaka City, Tokyo. Officially known as the Mitaka Forest Ghibli Museum, this museum is dedicated to and operated by the world famous Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli. Designed by famed Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki himself, this interactive museum features various exhibitions, exclusive movies, and a first-hand look at the process and designs behind some of their most iconic movies. There are also temporary exhibits and rotating exhibits to coincide with Ghibli Film releases or other special events.

Ever since Studio Ghibli’s first film, Laputa: Castle in the Sky in 1986, the studio has produced numerous films loved around the world. Some classics include: My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ponyo, Grave of the Fireflies, and Princess Mononoke. The Ghibli Museum features five permanent exhibition rooms and another room dedicated to limited-time exhibits. Each room is dedicated to telling the story of Studio Ghibli and their many popular films. There are early sketches and drafts next to wonderful recreations of locations from Ghibli films. In fact, there's a giant Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro) waiting to greet you at the museum's entrance. Be sure to take a photo with your Japan tour group before heading inside. Other exhibits showcase the individual steps of how the animated films are made, including the sketches, story-boarding, and coloring steps to create these heartwarming films. Just note, you cannot take photos while inside the museum in order to protect the exhibits.

Special Exhibitions Dedicated to Ghibli

The special exhibitions feature both Ghibli’s own productions as well as works from other studios. In the past, Spirited Away and Castle in the Sky were among some of the Ghibli-original special exhibits. Special exhibitions from other studios that were featured in the Ghibli Museum include Pixar Animation Studios, Goldilocks and The Three Bears based on Leo Tolstoy’s picture book, and the Nutcracker and the Mouse King.

One of the other highlights of the Ghibli Museum is the chance to see one of its short films shown exclusively at the Ghibli Museum, at its small 80 theater only seating 80 people. Although most of these short films are only available in Japanese, the mesmerizing animation itself may be enough to take some time out of your visit to watch the exclusive short film.

Before you take off, make sure to visit the library, art collection room, and gift shop to purchase small collectibles and art works to remember tour trip by. These original goods make great gifts for your Ghibli-loving family and friends.

Tickets to the Ghibli Museum are known to be rather difficult to obtain, especially for those overseas. Guarantee your chance to visit and fulfill your childhood dreams by joining one of our small group Anime Tours for your next trip to Japan. You can also opt for a custom Japan tour to explore the highlights of Japan in addition to the Ghibli Museum for an unrivaled luxury vacation experience.

Ghibli Park in Nagoya

In addition to the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo, we highly recommend fans to also stop by Ghibli Park in Nagoya. The Ghibli Park will open on November 1, 2022. The theme park will be divided into five areas: Hill of Youth, Ghibli’s Large Warehouse, Mononoke’s Village, Valley of Witches and Dondoko Forest.

There are houses, buildings, objects you will recognize from the Ghibli works such as "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" , "Howl’s Moving Castle", "Arrietty", "My Neighbor Totoro" and more. Satsuki and Mei’s house from ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ is one of the best sightseeing spots. We will assist you with ticket arrangements as part of your extra day before/after the tour and help you make the most of your time in Japan.

What is your favorite? List of Studio Ghibli works　　

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind - Castle in the Sky- Grave of the Fireflies- My Neighbor Totoro- Kiki's Delivery Service- Only Yesterday- Porco Rosso- Ocean Wave- Pom Poko- Whisper of the heart - Princess Mononoke- My Neighbors the Yamadas- Spirited Away- The Cat Return- Howl's Moving Castle- Tales from Earthsea- Ponyo- Arrietty- From Up on Poppy Hill- The Wind Rises - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya- When Marnie Was There- The Red Turtle- Earwig and the Witch -