The Ghibli Museum

How to get to the Ghibli Museum

Getting to the Ghibli Museum from central Tokyo is relatively straightforward. The most convenient way is to take the JR Chuo line from Shinjuku, for a journey of around 15 minutes to Mitaka station (free with a Japan Rail Pass, otherwise charge around €3 return). Once at the station, you have two options:

• Take the special shuttle bus: At the station's southern exit, a charming yellow shuttle bus decorated with Ghibli characters takes you directly to the museum for 210 yen (one-way) or 300 yen (round-trip).
• Walk along the Tamagawa Canal: a 15-minute stroll, perfectly signposted to the museum.

A more picturesque alternative is to get off at Kichijôji station and walk through Inokashira Park foraround 20 minutes. This walk offers a taste of the magic that awaits you, with the lush greenery reminiscent of some of the studio's film sets.

The compulsory ticket reservation system

The most important thing to remember about visiting the Ghibli Museum is that advance reservations are absolutely essential. Tickets are not sold on site, and are regularly sold out due to the immense popularity of the site.

For international visitors, several booking options are available:

• Online booking: From abroad, you can book via specialized agencies such as Keikaku, who take care of buying tickets for their customers every month.
• Last-minute purchase: Don't miss out on this magical experience, by purchasing your last-minute ticket for the Ghibli Museum with us!

For those already in Japan, the Lawson konbini chain has the exclusive right to sell tickets. Tickets go on sale on the 10th of each month for visits the following month. Reservations must either be made by telephone on +81(0) 570 055 777, or ordered online via their website (which requires a Japanese telephone number and credit card).

On-site prices are

• 1,000 yen (approx. €8) for adults
• 700 yen (approx. €6) for 13-18 year-olds
• 400 yen (approx. €3) for 7-12 year-olds
• 100 yen (approx. €1) for 4-6 year-olds
• Free for children under 3

Spaces and attractions inside the museum

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a giant Totoro plush toy that immediately sets the tone for this fantastic adventure. Inside, the museum reveals a labyrinthine layout where rooms follow one another in a journey designed by the animation master himself.

The museum's must-see areas include :

The "Saturn Theater" and its exclusive short films

The "Saturn Theater" is one of the Ghibli Museum's most precious treasures. Located slightly below ground level, this small 80-seat cinema screens exclusive Studio Ghibli shorts that are impossible to see anywhere else - either on DVD or streaming.

The ceiling and walls of the theater are decorated with a blue sky and colorful flowers, creating a magical atmosphere. At the end of the screening, the windows open to let in natural light, adding a poetic touch to the experience.

Among the ten short films alternating in programming, eight are directed by Hayao Miyazaki himself, including :

Temporary exhibitions and their renewal

In addition to its permanent collections, the Ghibli Museum regularly offers thematic temporary exhibitions that enable visitors to discover new aspects of the Ghibli universe. These exhibitions, which are renewed around once a year, are held in the special exhibition hall and generally highlight the latest film produced by the studio or explore particular themes.

Notable exhibitions in recent years include:

• 2016-2017: Installation of a second plush Cat-bus accessible to adults
• 2017-2018: "Drawing food" - Reproductions of iconic kitchens and dishes from the films (the toasts from Castle in the Sky, the onigiri from Chihiro, the kitchen from My Neighbor Totoro...)
• 2019-2021: "Esquisses, inspirations, idées" - Exhibition on Hayao Miyazaki's creative process, with screening of the short film "Machines volantes imaginaires"
• 2021: Exhibition on Goro Miyazaki's "Aya and the Witch", accompanied by a puppet show in the central hall
• 2022-2023: "Conan, son of the future"

These temporary exhibitions not only renew the interest of regular visitors, but also provide a deeper understanding of the studio's working methods and sources of inspiration. They are designed with the same meticulous care as the films themselves, offering an ever more complete immersion in the creative world of Ghibli.

Rules and practical advice for a successful visit

To make the most of your visit to the Ghibli Museum, here are a few important rules and practical tips to keep in mind:

• Opening hours: The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on most Tuesdays and during maintenance periods in May and November.
• Photography: Photos and videos are strictly forbidden inside the museum, except on the terrace, patio and in the "Chapeau de Paille" café. This rule is strictly enforced to preserve the unique atmosphere of the site.
• Punctuality: Arrive at the time indicated on your ticket, or even slightly early. If you miss your time slot, you may be refused entry.
• Tickets: At the entrance, you'll be given a unique ticket consisting of a real piece of film from one of the studio's movies, to be treasured as a souvenir.
• Accessibility: The museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility, with two elevators and adapted toilets. The Saturn Theater also has reserved wheelchair spaces.
• Length of visit: Allow 2-3 hours to fully enjoy all the facilities.
• Limitations: The Chat-bus is reserved for children up to the age of 12, which may disappoint some adult Totoro fans.
• Final exit: Once you've left the museum, you won't be able to re-enter with the same ticket.

Additional tip: Although the visit is mainly in Japanese, a French brochure is available at the entrance, and most of the exhibits are visual enough to be appreciated without textual explanation.

Other official Ghibli sites to discover in Japan and elsewhere

If you're a fervent admirer of the Ghibli universe, your pilgrimage shouldn't be limited to the Mitaka Museum. Japan is home to several other official locations linked to the studio that are well worth a visit:

• The Ghibli Park in Nagoya: Opening in November 2022, this Studio Ghibli, soon to be a new theme park, covers 7.1 hectares and includes five themed areas inspired by the films: the Hill of Youth, the Dondoko Forest, the Great Ghibli Warehouse, Mononoke Village and the Valley of the Witches. These include the exact replica of Mei and Satsuki's house from "My Neighbor Totoro".
• Donguri Kyowakoku" stores: This Japan-wide chain of stores is officially licensed to sell Ghibli merchandise.
• Shirohige" cafés: These establishments have exclusive rights to Totoro pastries. The historic address is in Setagaya, but a store has also opened in Kichijôji, close to the Ghibli Museum.

For fans interested in Japanese animation beyond Ghibli, the Suginami Animation Museum in Tokyo offers an excellent complement to the Ghibli Museum.

True enthusiasts can also explore the places that inspired the films' settings: Yakushima Island for the forest in "Princess Mononoke", Dogo Onsen for the baths in "Chihiro's Journey", or Tomonoura, the village that inspired "Ponyo on the Cliff". For the curious, discover Where to find Totoro in Japan?

To learn more about Hayao Miyazaki's work and understand the philosophy behind his creations, take a look at our article on Studio Ghibli.