Tokyo Travel: Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli Museum

June 27, 12:06 AMJapan Travel ExaminerJoshua Williams

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Japan Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Robot Statue at the Ghibli Museum
(Photo: Joshua Williams)

In the suburbs of Tokyo, at the edge of a local park, there is a unique museum that captures the hearts and remains in the minds of all those who visit it. The Ghibli Museum, designed by the Oscar award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, is built as both a fantasy land and an art museum.

Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli

Hayao Miyazaki is one of Japan’s most famous and beloved directors of animated movies. His production company, called Studio Ghibli, is also renowned for being high-quality. Together they have put out instant classics such as: My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and most recently Ponyo.

About the Ghibli Museum

The Ghibli Museum, which opened in 2001, was designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself to present the studio’s works. In its design Miyazaki required that the museum be more than just a showy collection of animation art, but rather he required that it be an area where visitors becomes part of there own small fantasy movie.

From the entrance of the museum grounds, visitors are greeting by a life-sized Totoro, from the movie My Neighbor Totoro, at a fake ticket booth. Once inside the museum and tickets are exchanged for a special souvenir ticket made out of a few film print cells from one of Studio Ghibli’s movies, visitors are free to explore the museum in any that they please. There is no set path or direction for which to follow.

Attractions inside the Ghibli Museum

There are a number of small interactive exhibits inside the museum, including a movie projection room playing Ghibli shorts, a concept of an animator’s studio room, a rooftop garden with a monstrous robot statue from Miyazaki’s film Laputa Castle in the Sky, a special exhibits area, as well as a café and a museum shop that sells original goods.

Access to the Ghibli Museum

The Ghibli Museum can be easily accessed by train within Tokyo. Visitors must take the JR Chuo line from Tokyo or Shinjuku stations out to Mitaka Station. From Mitaka station one can walk or catch a period shuttle bus to the museum. Alternatively, visitors can get off at Kichijo-ji station and walk through Inokashira Park to the museum.

Totoro's ticket booth
(Photo: Joshua Williams)

Tickets to the Ghibli Museum

Tickets to the Ghibli Museum are only sold by advanced purchase. Tickets can be purchased internationally at designated vendors. Within Japan tickets can be bought at Lawson’s convenience stores.

Other notes about the Ghibli Museum

• The museum is open from 10am-6pm.
• The museum is generally closed on Tuesdays, around New Years, and occasionally for period maintenance.
• The museum is handicapped accessible.
• Photography within the museum is prohibited. 

A short documentary about the Ghibli Museum (with English subtitles)

 Check out more articles about Tokyo and the surrounding area by the Japan Travel Examiner