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Expertise the magical world of Hayao Miyazaki’s famed Studio Ghibli movies in actual life on the new Ghibli Park in Nagoya!
When you’re like me, who found Hayao Miyazaki’s animated movies as a toddler, you might say that the works of Studio Ghibli have formed and sparked a sliver of our creativeness. The profound storytelling and beautiful visible magnificence have captured the hearts and imaginations of individuals throughout cultures. Simply once I thought the fantastical world solely existed in his movies, the brand new Studio Ghibli theme park introduced the magic of his creations from the large display to actual life!
The park, which opened in November 2022, is the place to see mystical castles and big flying ships, journey a cat bus, strike a pose with the pleasant large Totoro and Cat Bureau, and take pleasure in some candy snacks to relive your favourite moments from the films.
The best way to Get to Ghibli Park
Ghibli Park is situated in Nagakute Metropolis in Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya, making it simply accessible by prepare. From Nagoya Station, take the Higashiyama Subway Line to Fujigaoka Station. Change to the overground Linimo Line to Aichikyuhaku Kinenkoen Station, situated simply in entrance of the north entrance of the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (also called Moricoro Park), the place Ghibli Park is located. A one-way journey will price 670 yen and take roughly 55 minutes.
It’s also possible to take a direct bus from Meitetsu Bus Heart to the Park’s entrance. Whereas extra handy than the prepare, there are fewer buses obtainable, and it prices 1,000 yen, taking roughly 40 minutes (costs in 2024).
Apart from the Ghibli Park, the Aichi Commemorative Park has a number of different points of interest, together with a Japanese-style backyard, an ice-skating rink, and a Ferris wheel.
Suggestions Earlier than Visiting Ghibli Park
Visiting Ghibli Park could also be a once-in-a-lifetime alternative for some. To benefit from the day, I need to share a number of suggestions based mostly on my expertise.
Reserving in Advance
The Ghibli Park web site has a devoted worldwide part, all in English, explaining the sorts of tickets obtainable and what they offer you entry to.
First, the park is split into 5 sections:
- Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse
- Hill of Youth
- Dondoko Forest
- Valley of Witches
- Mononoke Village
The day go grants entry to all 5 areas and prices 3,500 yen for adults and 1,750 yen for kids on weekdays. On weekends, it rises to 4,000 yen and a pair of,000 yen, respectively. For infants aged 0–3 years outdated, entry is free.
There’s a premium day go, which I extremely suggest for the total expertise! The premium go grants entry to the identical 5 areas and 5 particular buildings inside every space: World Emporium, Satsuki and Mei’s Home, The Okino Residence, Howl’s Fort, and The Home of Witches.
Whereas footage and movies are forbidden in every constructing, the expertise is properly value it, as each masterfully replicates scenes from the films.
The premium go prices 7,300 yen for adults and three,650 yen for kids on weekdays. On weekends, it rises to 7,800 yen and three,900 yen, respectively. Entry is free for infants aged 0–3 years outdated.
Tickets go on sale two months upfront and promote out rapidly, so be ready and schedule the day and time they’re obtainable to buy. You’ll be able to examine extra particulars on the web site.
The Grand Warehouse has a selected entry time that you could select upon buying your ticket, so plan accordingly.
Get There Early
On weekdays, Ghibli Park is open from 10 am to five pm; on weekends, it opens an hour earlier at 9 am. I extremely suggest arriving as early as attainable to keep away from lengthy queues. After I visited on a weekday and arrived at 10 am, there was already a 30-minute wait to enter the Grand Warehouse.
There was a two-hour line to take an image with No Face from Spirited Away! That’s over 1 / 4 of the time spent on the park only for one picture. In fact, it’s elective to go to, however be ready should you determine to take action.
Put on Applicable Clothes
Every attraction is unfold throughout the Expo Park, and there are additionally spots the place you could climb many stairs, so put on appropriate footwear for strolling. Whereas free shuttle buses run all through, they’re virtually all the time crowded (think about these busy Tokyo trains), so it could be greatest to stroll.
A bus is offered from Mononoke Village to Dondoko Forest. You should buy tickets at every bus cease, which price 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for kids.
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse
Beneficial Time: 2–3 hours
The Grand Warehouse is the principle attraction, with a selected entry time of your selection. You should enter inside one hour of your designated time, and you can’t re-enter upon leaving.
From the north entrance, you can be greeted by an elevator tower impressed by Laputa: Fort within the Sky and Howl’s Shifting Fort. You should use this or the trail to the aspect. Upon descending, the Grand Warehouse will probably be in your proper.
The within is crammed with spectacular shows of all the favored Ghibli films. The central courtyard is embellished in colourful mosaic tiles with the Big Flying Ship from Laputa: Fort within the Sky floating above.
Featured Film Scenes Contained in the Warehouse
All through the warehouse, there are 14 scenes from 13 movies. Widespread spots embrace the prepare scene with No Face, a true-to-scale Laputian Robotic (solely obtainable at Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum in Mitaka till now), and a small recreation of the world of Arrietty.
You’ll be able to take footage along with your favourite characters and scenes, however there’ll doubtless be queues for every spot.
Every spot is stuffed with small particulars from the movies, so take your time exploring each and attempt to spot all of the references.
As I briefly talked about, the queue for No Face was 2 hours lengthy! I overheard some folks questioning what they have been lining up for, solely to find it was only for one image! If you wish to get pleasure from each attraction within the park at a leisurely tempo, skip this one.
Climbing up the steps from the central courtyard, you’ll discover a small theater taking part in two unique Studio Ghibli films: Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess and Koro’s Huge Day Out. I extremely suggest this, as you received’t be capable of see them anyplace else! On the opposite aspect is a small playroom for teenagers, together with a cat bus!
On the far aspect, you may stroll by Minami-machi, a nostalgic-looking purchasing avenue lined with outlets promoting unique items corresponding to playing cards and fashions.
There’s a reward store on the again with each Ghibli-themed memento—from puzzles and magnets to snacks and keyrings—so that you can deliver house.
Simply subsequent to the reward store is a milk stand providing Siberia Sponge Cake from The Wind Rises and a glass bottle of milk.
Transcontinental Flight Café
Within the southern part of the warehouse, there’s a separate cafe providing numerous sandwiches, drinks, and snacks. There’s a lot to select from, however every thing we tried was nothing significantly particular, simply the usual fare you’d count on at a theme park.
Hill of Youth
Beneficial Time: half-hour
To the left of the elevator tower, you’ll discover the Hill of the Youth space, showcasing the world of Whisper of the Coronary heart. You’ll first enter from the again and into The Rotary, straight out of the movie.
Inside, one can find the Cat Bureau from The Cat Returns. Different characters embrace Muta and Baro.
The World Emporium is a meticulous reproduction of Nishi’s vintage store from Whisper of the Coronary heart. Step inside, and also you’ll discover quite a lot of antiques, similar to these within the movie.
Don’t miss the clock that chimes and performs music on occasion. You’ll be able to even buy and write a postcard, then ship it within the postbox simply outdoors, including a private contact to your go to.
Downstairs is the violin workshop, which is equally spectacular and creates a sense as if everyone seems to be about to burst out singing ‘Nation Street’ in unison.
Dondoko Forest
Beneficial Time: 1 hour
On the japanese aspect of the park, amongst the forests, is Dondoko Park, the place you may enter the world of My Neighbour Totoro. Alongside the way in which, you may take a pit cease by Dondoko-dokoro for a snack or drink.
On the entrance, you’ll discover a set of stairs resulting in Dondoko-do. On the high, a large 5-meter Totoro awaits you! Youngsters beneath 12 years outdated can climb inside, making it a pleasant picture spot.
Subsequent to Totoro is a small memento store promoting Totoro-themed items corresponding to figures and omamori.
Premium go holders can enter Satsuki and Mei’s Home. You’ll be able to take footage from the skin, however it’s prohibited inside.
This was one in every of my favourite points of interest (primarily as a result of My Neighbour Totoro is one in every of my favourite Ghibli movies), as the home is extremely immersive. You’ll be able to work together with the ornaments and tools, together with the water pumps, and discover inside the cabinets and wardrobes.
The daddy’s workplace was probably the most spectacular room in the home, with an abundance of books, papers, and stationery meticulously organized to duplicate the ambiance of the movie.
Outdoors, cross the bridge onto a small island, the place you may see the spot the place Satsuki and Mei planted their acorn given by Totoro!
Valley of Witches
Beneficial Time: 1–2 hours
Valley of the Witches, based mostly on ‘Kiki’s Supply Service’ and ‘Howl’s Shifting Fort,’ not too long ago opened on March sixteenth, 2024. It’s the park’s most in depth, curated, and awe-inspiring space.
As quickly as you enter the grounds, you might be whisked away right into a fantastical world. Enter by the Mouth of the Witch and into the old style brick village. Subsequent to the doorway is a brick constructing that homes a restaurant and a store with unique items and treats.
The primary primary attraction is The Okino Residence, the place Kiki lived earlier than leaving to coach to be a witch. Outdoors, you may take an image with the brooms as should you have been a witch! Inside, you will discover the witch’s store coated in hanging flowers, in addition to Kiki’s room on the second ground.
The subsequent primary attraction is Howl’s Fort, solely accessible for premium go holders. It is a must-visit! The eye to element is unbelievable, from the lounge and Calcifer’s furnace to Howl’s bed room adorned with numerous ornaments; it really looks like you might be residing in his fortress.
You’ll be able to discover the two-story constructing and revel in panoramic views of the world from the assorted balconies.
Outdoors the fortress, you may line up and take an image with The Prince cursed as a scarecrow!
You probably have the time, you may head over to the Guchokipanya Bakery from ‘Kiki’s Supply Service.’ Right here, you should buy authentic breads and units, a few of which have been bought out throughout our go to. Nonetheless, be ready for an hour-long queue.
It’s also possible to journey the carousel, which is embellished with some standard characters whereas traditional Ghibli film songs echo all through the world. Youngsters aged 3–12 price 500 yen and adults 1000 yen.
Mononoke Village
Beneficial Time: half-hour
Mononoke Village was the smallest and, in all honesty, probably the most lackluster space of the park. The world portrays the world of Princess Mononoke as a rural panorama from the Muromachi interval (1336–1573). Nonetheless, there was a scarcity of show and immersion in comparison with the opposite areas.
You’ll find a slide sculpted as Lord Okkoto and a Demon Spirit statue.
There’s additionally a small memento store promoting some unique treats and drinks. On the again, there’s a mochi-making expertise for an additional charge.
As a long-time admirer of Hayao Miyazaki’s work, I felt extraordinarily fortunate to expertise this particular place. It makes a enjoyable and luscious escape into the world brilliantly crafted by Studio Ghibli. Regardless of being a crowded theme park, I nonetheless discovered myself being transported into an ethereal realm of magic. The reminiscences created right here will stick with you lengthy after you allow the park.
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