Ghibli Park
We love Studio Ghibli films! Hayao Miyazaki is a genius creative force who should never retire.
The last time we were in Japan, we visited the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo. To complete our Studio Ghibli Japan experience, this time we went to Ghibli Park in Nagakute, just outside Nagoya.
Minds were blown. There was something wonderful from almost every film. To say we were kids in a candy store would be a massive understatement. We went inside Howl’s Moving Castle. INSIDE! We ate cakes at Kiki’s bakery. We hiked through Dondoko Forest, home of the great Totoro. We got our photos taken with No-Face on the train from Spirited Away. I even had a punch-out with Porco Rosso.
We had a hamburger lunch in Mononoke Village and saw a Ghibli animated short in the theatre inside Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse. Holy shitballs! There were even life-size Laputian Robot Troopers from Castle in the Sky. See the photo below.
Ghibli Park’s Valley of Witches features a carousel inspired by Studio Ghibli films. Decorated with vehicles and characters from films including Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke, the carousel plays “Merry-Go-Round of Life” from Howl’s Moving Castle during the ride. We could have watched this all day.
Ghibli Park is located in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, just outside Nagoya. Built within Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, it brings the worlds of Studio Ghibli to life through detailed buildings, landscapes, exhibits and interactive experiences rather than relying on conventional large-scale amusement-park rides.
1. Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse is the park’s enormous indoor showcase, filled with exhibitions, recreated film scenes, shops, food and a cinema showing Studio Ghibli short films. It is the kind of place where you can easily lose several hours exploring all the details.
2. Hill of Youth
Hill of Youth brings several Studio Ghibli settings to life, including the World Emporium from Whisper of the Heart and references to other Ghibli films throughout the area.
3. Dondoko Forest
Dondoko Forest is devoted to My Neighbor Totoro and includes Satsuki and Mei’s House surrounded by woodland. It feels very different from the more densely packed areas of the park and was one of the most atmospheric places we explored.
4. Mononoke Village
Inspired by Princess Mononoke, Mononoke Village recreates the rustic atmosphere and imagery of the film with buildings, sculptures and food experiences inspired by traditional Japanese village life.
5. Valley of Witches
Valley of Witches brings together Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle and Earwig and the Witch. Its highlights include the spectacular recreation of Howl’s Castle, Kiki-themed locations, shops, cafés and the carousel shown in our video.
The photographs below document our day exploring Ghibli Park, from the Grand Warehouse and Dondoko Forest to Mononoke Village and the Valley of Witches.
