What if you go back to the fairy tale days of your childhood? A land beyond imagination! A Ghibli studio is the home of Totoro - a character that is associated with nature and nostalgia that can only be the sweetness of our childhoods. Based on the movie “Tonari no Totoro” (the English title is My Neighbor Totoro) has a worldwide fan-following over a wide age group. This museum has art and figurines inspired by the movies from the studio production and artwork of creator Hayao Miyazaki. His animation films are known for their endearing quality and coming of age story-lines among others. The museum was also designed by Miyazaki and it shows how story-boarding and animation actually work. The building is a mini-maze with no specific sequence of what to look at first. For those who have not watched a Ghibli studio movie, it is still a wonderful experience because it has a retro theme worked in with the sweetness of an animated film for children. It will leave you starry-eyed and wanting to be part of a magical journey forever!
Avid animation-movie fans would be familiar with the famous movies including Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke. These feature films have been produced by the country’s well-known animation studios, Studio Ghibli. There is a museum set up to commemorate the animation and artwork of this beloved animation studio. It is called the Ghibli Museum or Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Bijutsukan.
Whether you are familiar with their movies or not, a visit to this museum is a must! The experience here is none like any other. The building is designed such that it resembles the architectural style of its studio’s movies. Also, there are numerous beloved characters from their movies present here. More so, in the rooftop garden, there is a life-sized robot from the “Castle in the Sky.” It will be quite an experience for children and adults alike.
You can even feast your eyes on exclusive short movies in the small theatre of the museum. The museum comes complete with a rooftop garden, a café, a souvenir shop, and a children’s play area.
Go to the Mitaka station on the JR East line (about 20-30 minutes from Shinjuku station, depending on whether you get an Express or Local train). Exit from the South or Minami entrance, and follow the signs for the Ghibli Museum.
The Ghibli bus departs from the No.9 bus stop. (Tickets: 200 Yen one way, 300 Yen round trip for adults). You can also walk to the museum following the signs.
Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed (Except on March 26，April 30, August 13, October 22, December 24 [2019] and February 11 [2020])
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
It is closed on year ending days for periodic maintenance.
Waiting Time
No waiting time for tickets but expect 20 minutes waiting time to get into theater.
Entrance Fee
Over 19 years: 1,000 Yen
13-18 years: 700 Yen
7-12 years: 400 Yen
4-6: 100 Yen
Children under 4 years: Free
Admission to Ghibli Museum is possible only by the advance purchase of reserved tickets. For further details on how to buy a ticket in and outside Japan, do check out the official website of the museum.
Time you can spend
3 to 4 hours
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