By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department Compilation Report
As a fan of Studio Ghibli animations, besides visiting Taiwan’s first-ever Studio Ghibli workspace in Xinyi District for a pilgrimage recently, you also shouldn’t miss the “Welcome to the Haunted Tower” special exhibition personally planned and executed by animation master Hayao Miyazaki at the Ghibli Museum Mitaka in Tokyo since the end of May 2015, which is expected to run for a year until May 2016.
Ghibli Museum Mitaka. (Image source / cartoonlobster)
The full name of the “Welcome to the Haunted Tower” special exhibition is “Welcome to the Haunted Tower Exhibition – The Mainstream of Pop Culture.” From planning to execution, the entire project was personally completed by Director Hayao Miyazaki. During this period, visitors who make a reservation can view the exhibition at the Ghibli Museum Mitaka. The idea for the special exhibition can be traced back to when Director Miyazaki was in middle school and was deeply influenced after reading the famous novel “The Haunted Tower” by acclaimed author Edogawa Ranpo. To this day, he still remembers the emotional impact brought by that work, which is why he personally planned the “Welcome to the Haunted Tower Exhibition – The Mainstream of Pop Culture,” bringing the exhibition to fans’ eyes. Additionally, elements from the novel can also be seen in Miyazaki’s first directorial work, *Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro*, where the highly symbolic “clock tower” is an important scene in the animated film.
The highly symbolic clock tower within the Spirit Tower. (Image source / cinemacafe)
Inside the Ghibli Museum Mitaka, you can see the creative workspace of Master Hayao Miyazaki. (Image provided / Mook Publishing)
The exhibition features a giant clock tower personally designed by Hayao Miyazaki. (Image source / cinemacafe)
In the museum exhibition space, you can see the giant clock tower personally designed by Director Hayao Miyazaki. Inside the tower, there is a spiral staircase that leads up to the display area. There is also a “maze” that is only open to children under elementary school age, where you can find a three-dimensional diorama display related to *Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro*, as well as dozens of original sketches by Director Hayao Miyazaki. Fans can get a glimpse of how the master outlines his characters through the sketches, and also feel Miyazaki’s admiration for “The Haunted Tower.” Additionally, please note that the “Welcome to the Haunted Tower Exhibition – The Mainstream of Pop Culture” is an in-house exhibition at the Ghibli Museum Mitaka. To visit and pay homage, you must make a reservation in advance.
Many original sketches from Miyazaki’s works can be seen on-site. (Image source / cinemacafe)
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