Animation in Japan is a huge thing. People of all ages and generations watch the multitude of genres brought to life by creative Japanese animators. When it comes to animated movies, Studio Ghibli is the epitome of brilliant animation, writing, and design. For decades, Ghibli’s films have captivated not only Japan, but the entire world. These movies strike a rare balance between fantasy and reality that no other animation studio can replicate. The attention to detail in every scene creates an atmosphere so immersive that you can almost feel like a character from the movie.
Now you can go further. Not far from Nagoya, in Aichi Prefecture, Studio Ghibli has just opened its own Ghibli Park, the newest Ghibli-related attraction in Japan that everyone tries to go to. If you’re also trying to find out what it’s all about, read this article because we’ve got the ultimate guide to Japan’s newest theme park, Park Ghibli!
What is Park Ghibli?
Park Ghibli is an amusement park by Miyazaki Hayao’s Studio Ghibli, one of the most famous animation studios in Japan. People all over the world know works like Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle and more! Park Ghibli is located on the site of Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen, the sprawling 17-acre park where the 2005 World EXPO was held. The park captures all the enchanting feelings created by movies and brings them to life.
There are no rides or attractions in the park like any other theme park, but you can walk around and immerse yourself in the world of Studio Ghibli movies. The park is divided into three areas: Hill of Youth, Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, and Dondoko Forest. Two more areas, Mononoke’s Village and Valley of Witches, are in development and will be revealed soon.
How to get a ticket
Because all of Ghibli is so popular, it’s impossible for everyone to get a ticket on demand. Therefore, there is currently a lottery system. You have to book for a specific day and get tickets for each area you want to visit.
Lottery tickets are available three months in advance of your visit. For example, tickets for January are available in November. For the month of January (5-30), the lottery started on November 10 Boo-Woo Ticket.
| Zone | entry time | Admission |
| Ghibli Department Store | 9:00 a.m.* / 10:00 a.m. / 11:00 a.m. / 12:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. | Weekdays: 2,000 yen (adult) 1,000 yen (child)Weekends and holidays: 2,500 yen (adult)1,000 yen (child) |
| youth hill | 9:00am* / 9:30am* / 10:00am / 10:30am / 11:00am / 11:30am / 12:00am / 12:30pm / 1:00pm / 1:30pm / 2:00pm / 2:30pm / 3:00pm / 3:30pm / 4:00pm | 1,000 yen (adult)500 yen (child) |
| Dondoko Forest | 9:00am* / 9:30am* / 10:00am / 10:30am / 11:00am / 11:30am / 12:00am / 12:30pm / 1:00pm / 1:30pm / 2:00pm / 2:30pm / 3:00pm / 3:30pm / 4:00pm | 1,000 yen (adult)500 yen (child) |
*only when the park opens at 9 am
February 2023, tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis starting on the 10th of each month. You can also get tickets to enter the Ghibli Department Store and Youth Hill together.
| Zone | entry time | Admission |
| Department Store and Ghibli Hill of Youth | 9:00* / 9:30* / 10:00 / 10:30 / 11:00 / 11:30 / 12:00 / 12:30 / 1:00 / 1:30 / 2:00 / 2:30 / 3:00 / 3:30 / 4:00Note: Entry time above is Youth Hill | Weekdays: 3,000 yen (adult) 1,500 yen (child)Weekends and holidays: 3,500 yen (adult)1,750 yen (child) |
| Ghibli Department Store | 9:00 a.m.* / 10:00 a.m. / 11:00 a.m. / 12:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. | Weekdays: 2,000 yen (adult) 1,000 yen (child)Weekends and holidays: 2,500 yen (adult) 1,250 yen (child) |
| Dondoko Forest | 9:00am* / 9:30am* / 10:00am / 10:30am / 11:00am / 11:30am / 12:00am / 12:30pm / 1:00pm / 1:30pm / 2:00pm / 2:30pm / 3:00pm / 3:30pm / 4:00pm | 1,000 yen (adult)500 yen (child) |
how to get there
Ghibli Park is located in Aichi Prefecture. You either come from your hotel in Nagoya or from outside the city, so it doesn’t matter what you have to go through at Nagoya station. From Nagoya Station, take the Higashiyama subway line to Fujigaoka Station, change to Linimo, and then get off at Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen Station. There’s also a really cool feature that you might only know about if you follow Ghibli Park on Twitter.
Ils are associated with Apple Music and ont created a list of special lectures that aligns nicely with a trip from the Gare de Nagoya to Parc Ghibli, which creates an uplifting ambiance on your path and a sensation with two more shades for your return At home. It’s how you feel when you watch one of the classic Ghibli movies.
What to do in Park Ghibli
youth hill
On the Hill of Youth, which is based in part on Howl’s Moving Castle. On a hill overlooking the park, the “World Emporium” of Whisper of the Heart also awaits. You can go out to your terrace and enjoy the panoramic view.
Dondoko Forest
In the Dondoko forest, you will be transported to the world of my neighbor Totoro in the “House of Satsuki and Mei”. On the top of the hill behind his house, is “Dondoko-do”. But remember, only children are allowed inside Dondoko-do!
Ghibli Department Store
The Ghibli Department Store is a mysterious city full of Ghibli secrets. The town is packed with Studio Ghibli gallery exhibits, children’s play rooms, a movie theater, cafe, gift shops, and more. You could spend hours exploring this area alone!
The park also features an immaculate Japanese garden where you can walk and relax with some of your favorite Ghibli characters. There are also 15 “forgotten” items placed in the park. See if you can find all 15 and take a picture with them!
This is also another advantage of the park: it is one of the most Instagrammable places in all of Nagoya. If you are a person who likes to take photos, this is a great place for you, even if you don’t go to any of the specific areas.
Don’t worry about going hungry after taking all those photos, Park Ghibli has some amazing dining options.
Kazegaoka Roundabout
It is located near the north entrance (main entrance) next to the souvenir shop.
・People can use this cafeteria without tickets
They serve onigirionigiri bentosuceries (perfect) and drinks (hojicha latte, orange juice, etc.)
・Our recommendation is an onigiri with Ebiten (shrimp tempura) which is one of Nagoya’s specialties
Tairiku Odan Hiko Coffee
Tairiku Odan Hiko means “to fly across the continent”. It’s in the Ghibli Department Store area, so tickets are required to enter.
・The concept of this Italian cafe is to serve food that pilots can eat in flight (food that can be eaten with one hand). You can pork like Porco Rosso!
・They mainly serve sandwiches and pizza. If you order sandwiches, they come with a flag that Miyazaki himself designed especially for this cafe
・They also serve coffee and drinks, as well as alcoholic beverages (Beer and wine)
Driving is the easiest way to get there, but if you don’t have a car, the Japanese train system is the best in the world and remains a reliable option. However, if you have a car, please note that Park Ghibli does not have its own parking lot. You can park at the nearby AEON shopping center and take a Linimo (train) if the parking lot is full.
There are also some amazing hotels you can stay in in Nagoya that are close to the park! Check out our article on the best hotels near Park Ghibli!
Is it worth visiting without a ticket?
If you’re not a lottery winner but still want to go, or find yourself in Nagoya with something to do, it’s worth going to the park without a ticket. But remember, this is mostly a normal park. Don’t expect it to be like the Disney parks or any other theme park.
Other things to do near Parc Ghibli
If you want to see other things to do in Nagoya, don’t worry. We have tons of options you can add to turn your Park Ghibli trip into a full Nagoya excursion!
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