The new biggest Studio Ghibli themed facility Ghibli Park is opening at Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, which is also known as Moricoro Park, in November, 2022. The whole park that is larger than other famous theme parks all over Japan represents the world of the Studio Ghibli movies.
Fans of Studio Ghibli had been already given the opportunity to enjoy other Ghibli attractions such as Ghibli Museum in Tokyo and Satsuki and Mei’s House in the park. However, Ghibli Park is the first chance to touch the enormous authentic world of the greatest works in the forest preserving its nature as much as possible.
At the opening of Ghibli Park, three areas are available: Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth and Dondoko Forest. They will be followed by additional areas such as Valley of Witches and Mononoke Village within 2023.
For every fan of Studio Ghibli both in Japan and overseas, here is the perfect guide to Ghibli Park with its highlights, ticket information and other related events. Don’t miss the chance to get to the heart of the renowned Japanese anime studio!
Highlights of Ghibli Park
There are three major areas opening at the beginning in the site while some new themed zones are being developed. Let’s see things to do in each area highlighting the unique character of Ghibli Park!
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse is one of the eye-catchers in Ghibli Park, where a fantastical town is formed in the building. It consists of an exhibition, a playing room for kids, a video theater room, a cafe, a shop and so on.
Hill of Youth
In the Hill of Youth area, the real-life Earth Shop from Whisper of the Heart sits on the hill. You can have a grandstand view of the entire park on the building balcony that you must have seen in the romantic drama movie.
Dondoko Forest
Dondoko Forest is the symbolic area based on one of Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpieces My Neighbor Totoro. It features Satsuki and Mei’s House, which has been well known as the recreation of their house in the movie since it was founded for Expo 2005 in Aichi. In addition, there is a playground called Dondokodo that only children can enter.
Mononoke Village
There is not much information you can obtain about Mononoke Village so far. It will become an attraction that gives great pleasure to every fan of Princess Mononoke. Mononoke Village will be open in the autumn of 2023.
Valley of Witches
Valley of Witches is the fifth area in Ghibli Park, scheduled to be completed within 2023. As you can get the idea from its name, Valley of Witches has the theme of Howl’s Moving Castle.
How to Get to Ghibli Park
It takes less than an hour to get from Nagoya Station to the nearest Aichikyuhaku-kinen-koen Station by Higashiyama Line and Linimo (formally known as Aichi Rapid Transit Tobu Kyuryo Line).
-Taking Higashiyama Line from Nagoya Station, Aichi’s largest train and Shinkansen station, to Fujigaoka Station (28 minutes).
-At Fujigaoka Station, making a transfer to Linimo for Aichikyuhaku-kinen-koen Station (13 minutes).