Close to Studio Ghibli: The Whimsical World of Mitaka’s Museum Warms the Child in All of Us

With winter vacation just around the corner, amusement parks are the perfect destination for family fun. Tokyo, Japan, with its diverse range of recreational themes, boasts an incredibly varied selection of theme parks. In addition to the fairy-tale kingdom that is Tokyo Disney Resort, there’s also Sanrio Puroland led by Hello Kitty, Tokyo Dome City which combines baseball with amusement park attractions, Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli Museum, and the thrilling roller coasters of Fuji-Q Highland, among others. Visitors can plan the perfect holiday based on their interests.

The Ghibli Museum, located just a step away from the “Wind Walkway” upon exiting the station, is a warm and whimsical animated world. Officially named the “Mitaka Forest Ghibli Museum,” it was conceptualized by the highly renowned animation master Hayao Miyazaki. Unlike other museums that merely display exhibits, this is not just a place that collects and showcases Studio Ghibli works. It encourages visitors to personally interact with and explore scenes that only exist in animation. As such, the museum does not provide maps or enforce a set route, nor does it focus on exhibiting any particular work. Instead, it allows visitors to decide what they want to see and freely discover new things at their own pace.

Familiar and adorable characters from the animations appear unexpectedly in various corners. Though visitors may have different memories of their visit, they all leave with enriched emotions and knowledge. The Ghibli Museum can be considered another work of Miyazaki himself — from the building to the exhibits, and even the design of the admission tickets, everything was conceived by Miyazaki. It is a museum where children can grow up to be independent adults and where kids are free to play as they wish.

The first floor features a special exhibition room that changes its theme annually, while the permanent exhibition room allows you to see the entire process of filmmaking — from story concept, drawing, coloring, and editing to final production. Many drafts of famous animations are on display, making it well worth a visit. The basement video exhibition room is a small theater that seats 80 people, where you can watch original short animations produced by Studio Ghibli. The screening room is enclosed by transparent glass, allowing visitors to observe the process of animation projection. These animations are shown exclusively in the museum and cannot be seen anywhere else.

The second floor not only has a gift area selling various animation-related merchandise, but also features a Totoro bus loved by both adults and children. However, this fluffy bus can only be touched and ridden by children under elementary school age. Disappointed adults shouldn’t lose hope — head up to the rooftop garden, where a robot can make your dream of meeting an animated character come true. The ancient robot from the peaceful and serene world of *Castle in the Sky* appears right at the rooftop garden. Standing atop the roof, it not only brings the animation closer to visitors but also serves as a guardian deity protecting the museum.

To ensure that every visitor can safely and joyfully enjoy all the facilities, the museum operates on a reservation system for specified dates, with four entry time slots per day. Reservations open on the 10th of the month one month prior to the visit. You can contact a Taiwanese travel agency for assistance with booking, check the details on the official website, or purchase tickets at Japanese convenience stores “LAWSON” using the in-store Loppi system. No matter your age, come here and let your imagination run wild as you enjoy the wonders brought to you by Studio Ghibli.

Mitaka’s Studio Ghibli Museum
Address: 1-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka City, Tokyo (West Area of Inokashira Park)
Phone: 0570-055-777
Admission: Adults & University Students ¥1,000; Junior & Senior High School Students ¥700; Elementary School Students ¥400; Children aged 4 and above ¥100.
Website: www.ghibli-museum.jp/
Hours: 10:00–18:00 (4 entry times daily: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00. Please arrive 30 minutes before your reserved time slot. Departure time is flexible.)

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