Studio Ghibli is a world renowned Japanese animation film known for their breathtaking visuals, heartwarming stories, and fantastical characters, Since 1981, Studio Ghibli has produce a number of masterpiece that has become one of the most beloved animated films of all time from My Neighbor Totoro which tell a story about two sisters who just moved out and encounter a friendly forest spirit and befriend with it, the infamous Spirited Away Animation that unfold the story about a girl who stumbles upon the spirit town while moving to a new town with her parents, Princess Mononoke that weaves a complex narrative exploring environmentalism, war and human nature, Howl’s Moving Castle a stunning fantastical film based on the novel with the same name by Diana Wynne Jones but with more unique elements and Ponyo that tells an enchanting story of a goldfish princess named Ponyo who wants to become a human and explore the world above the waves.

Ghibli films are known for their attention to details from the environment themes, and delicious looking foods. Paving through a path which made them gained international recognition, winning numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away in 2002. And now those studios have spread their wings and made them into one massive Theme Park located in Aichi prefecture, Japan in 2022. If you are a fan of Ghibli, love or have seen at least once of their marvelous animation movies, then you might want to visit this Ghibli Park.

Ghibli Park is divided into three areas :

1. Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse

An haven for Ghibli enthusiast, Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse will takes you to the world of the Ghibli’s movies where you can act and becomes the main character of their movies to step into the iconic scenes from Ghibli films, such as the Totoro bus stop scene from My Neighbor Totoro or the bathhouse from Spirited Away. You can take pictures with even ‘No Face’ and participate in various interactive elements.

If you ever get hungry from watching cooking or eating scenes in Ghibli’s movies, here you can see those delicious meals being portrayed together with showcasing the animation process and highlighting their significant food within the stories.

2. Hill of Youth

Another place that will take you to another world of Ghibli where you will get to see the real life-sized Satsuki and Mei’s house from My Neighbor Totoro movies, allowing you to explore its interior design and experiencing the charm of the detailed movie’s setting. Walk on those wooden floors, peeks inside the rooms and imagine yourself being the main character from the movies who just moved to the countryside and staying in this whimsical home.

3. Dondoko Forest

Meet the beloved Catbus, a giant, grinning cat-shaped bus that came to life as a fun and enjoyable structure for children that is placed in the center of Dondoko Forest. Climb and explore its compartments and slide down its furry ‘fur’ for a more playful experience.

Besides exploring those unique come-to life story architectures, you also get to relax and immerse yourself in the lush green surroundings that resembles My Neighbor Totoro’s setting. Start exploring the forest path similar to the one Satsuki and Mei followed in the film and take some deep breaths in the fresh air. This trail might also take you to unexpected discoveries, hidden surprise, and perhaps even an encounter to Totoros themself.

4. The Valley of Witches

The newest attractions as well as the final area of Ghibli Park that opened on March 16,2024. The Valley of Witches is an area that is mainly inspired from the famous award-winning animation movie “Spirited Away”. In here you are expected to be able to explore the real-life size bathhouse where Chihiro, the main character in “Spirited Away” movies work to free her parents, a small, traditional Japanese house where Chihiro and her parents once lived that is shown at the beginning of the movie, and other iconic locations such as the radish spirit’s field as well as Yubab’s Office.

It is a place that will take you to the world that Chihiro’s has lost into and bring yourself to get immersed in their world as if you’ve been spirited away into an unique, and miraculous world.

Other things you can enjoy at Ghibli Park :

1. Watch a Short Films

Ghibli Park offers various short films produced by Studio Ghibli themself throughout the day. These films offer a glimpse into the studio’s creative process and showcasing the talents of their animators. All of the short films would be shown at a specific CInema in Ghibli Park named ‘Cinema Orion’ which is placed within the Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse building. The cinema has only about 170 seats which makes the seating first-come, first-served, it is recommended to check on the schedule and arrive early especially if you have a specific film in mind.

2. Visit Shops and Cafes

There are several shops and themed cafes all around Ghibli Park.The shops such as the Earwig and the Witch Shop as the name says is inspired from the movie “Earwig and the Witch” that offers a various merch related to the movies, Ghibli Museum shop that carries more wider selection merchandise featuring characters and items from various Studio Ghibli films such as plushies, stationery and homeware, and last but not least shops located in Ghibli Park is the Antique from Arrietty’s shops inspired from the movie “Arriety’s Borrowers” that features miniature items and merchandise related to the movie.

While a variety themed cafes placed around the park are the Whisper of the Wind Cafe that is located near Hill of Youth area, that offers a numerous selections of light meals, snack and beverages that inspired from the movie “My Neighbor Totoro”, Three Broomsticks Cafe that is inspired from the iconic movie of “Spirited Away”, and Catbus Cafe located in Dondoko Forest that offers a various snacks and beverages such as cat-shaped treats, and adorable Catbus cookies.

The Ghibli Park is located in 4-19-1 Expo Park, Nagakute City in Aichi Prefecture 480-8501, Japan. The park is regularly open from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM on weekdays except for Tuesday, and from 2.00AM to 5.00 PM during weekends, national holidays and school holidays.

If you would like to visit Ghibli Park, you will need to book it in advance. Being one of the most popular attractions, the tickets are sold so fast which have the first take- first served treatment.

That’s all a dream come true place especially for Ghibli Studio’s Fans all around the world, where they will take you to the fantastical world that is made from this exceptional animation studio in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. If you would like to visit Japan soon, Traveloka is ready to help you in booking the flight ticket, hotel, and even those attraction’s tickets above at the best price. Traveloka also often gives discounts and promotions. So what are you waiting for? Grab them fast only in Traveloka!