Ghibli Park: An Interactive Love-Letter to the beloved Animation Studio

Published on : 20/05/2026
by : Joshua

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Located in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, just outside Nagoya, Ghibli Park is one of Japan’s most enchanting destinations for anime and film lovers. Built within the expansive Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park), the park brings the worlds of Studio Ghibli to life through immersive landscapes, detailed recreations, exhibitions, and walk-through settings inspired by beloved films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Howl’s Moving Castle.

Unlike a traditional amusement park, Ghibli Park focuses less on rides and attractions and more on atmosphere, storytelling, and exploration. Visitors are encouraged to wander through forests, village streets, gardens, and carefully recreated movie settings at their own pace, experiencing the same sense of wonder and nostalgia found in Studio Ghibli’s films.

From Expo Grounds to Fantasy World

The park officially opened in November 2022, with additional sections completed in stages through 2024. Instead of building an entirely artificial theme park, the creators chose to preserve the surrounding nature and blend the attractions into the existing landscape of Moricoro Park. This approach reflects the deep connection to nature often seen in Studio Ghibli’s works.

Today, the park is divided into five themed areas: Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village, and Valley of Witches.

Hill of Youth

Inspired by Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns, Hill of Youth recreates a nostalgic suburban atmosphere filled with European-inspired architecture and hidden references to the films. The area features the World Emporium antique shop from Whisper of the Heart, the whimsical Cat Bureau, and the elegant Elevator Tower, whose design recalls early 20th-century science fiction architecture.

Compared to the larger sections of the park, Hill of Youth feels quieter and more intimate, rewarding visitors who enjoy discovering small details tucked throughout the area.

Dondoko Forest and Satsuki & Mei’s House

One of the park’s most iconic areas is Dondoko Forest, inspired by My Neighbor Totoro. Surrounded by greenery and walking trails, this peaceful section recreates the countryside world of the film with remarkable attention to detail.

At its center stands the famous Satsuki and Mei’s House, originally built for the 2005 World Expo before becoming part of Ghibli Park. The house is a faithful recreation of the family home from the movie, complete with retro furniture, traditional kitchen spaces, and children’s bedrooms that make it feel genuinely lived in. Visitors can even open drawers and explore the home much like the characters themselves.

Nearby, forest paths and the playful Dondoko-do Totoro-themed playground further enhance the nostalgic atmosphere of rural Showa-era Japan.

House from My Neighbor Totoro
@Japan Experience

Read more about Studio Ghibli and Japan! // Top 10 places that inspired Studio Ghibli

Mononoke Village

Opened in 2023, Mononoke Village draws inspiration from Princess Mononoke and recreates rustic mountain scenery influenced by ancient Japan. The area features traditional village-style architecture, hands-on cultural experiences, and large sculptures of creatures from the film, including Lord Okkoto and demonic spirits.

Compared with the more whimsical areas of the park, Mononoke Village emphasizes themes of nature, spirituality, and traditional craftsmanship, echoing the environmental message at the heart of Princess Mononoke.

Valley of Witches

The newest and largest expansion, Valley of Witches, opened in 2024 and quickly became one of the park’s most popular areas. Inspired by films such as Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Earwig and the Witch, the area recreates a charming, European-style fantasy town filled with shops, restaurants, gardens, and detailed film settings.

Scene from Spirited Away
@Japan Experience

Robot from "Castle in the Sky"
@Japan Experience

Visitors can explore a full-scale version of Howl’s Castle, step inside Kiki’s bakery and family home, and wander through beautifully designed streets that feel as though they were lifted directly from a Ghibli film. The extraordinary level of detail throughout the area has made it a favorite among visitors and photographers alike.

Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse

The heart of the park is Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, a large indoor exhibition space celebrating the creativity and history of Studio Ghibli. Part museum and part immersive experience, the warehouse features large-scale recreations of famous movie scenes, exclusive exhibitions of sketches and storyboards, and interactive displays that allow visitors to step into iconic moments from the films.

The area also includes the Cinema Orion, where guests can watch short animated films shown exclusively inside the park, as well as themed cafés, shops, and the popular Cat Bus Room inspired by My Neighbor Totoro. For longtime fans, the warehouse offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of Studio Ghibli’s animation process.

Tickets and Visiting Tips

Ghibli Park operates on a reservation system, and advance booking is highly recommended, as tickets often sell out quickly. Visitors should plan their route carefully, wear comfortable shoes, and allow plenty of time to explore, as the park covers a large area.

The park is easily accessible from Nagoya Station via the Linimo magnetic levitation train line to Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen Station.

A Different Kind of Theme Park

What makes Ghibli Park unique is its philosophy. Rather than focusing on thrill rides or fast-paced entertainment, the park encourages visitors to slow down, connect with nature, and immerse themselves in the worlds of Studio Ghibli. The experience feels less like visiting an amusement park and more like stepping inside the imagination of Hayao Miyazaki himself.

For Studio Ghibli fans, Ghibli Park is far more than a tourist attraction. It is a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, nostalgia, and the timeless magic that has made these films beloved around the world.

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