Studio Ghibli, known as the ‘Disney’ version of Japan is popular for its animated feature films. Their popular animated such Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo, and many more. Hence, one of their most successful animated films, Spirited Away won the Golden Bear as the Best Feature Film at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival and the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
In addition, as their success was at its peak, they announced opening a Studio Ghibli Park in 2017. In fact, in 2022 they are preparing for its grand opening on November 1st, 2022 with an official statement regarding the ticket for purchase.
For everyone’s information, the 2005 Realm Expo’s 200-hectare site is turned into “Ghibli Park,” an immersive world based on Studio Ghibli’s hit films. Furthermore, as it is being built on and inside the boundaries of Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, the park is designed with the surrounding forest in mind (Moricoro Park). Uniquely, the park is located in the town of Nagakute, near Nagoya.
Areas of Studio Ghibli Park
Surprisingly, there are five areas in the park: Ghibli’s Large Warehouse, Mononoke’s Village, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, and Valley of Witches.
Other than that, a trailer was shown on YouTube regarding the beautiful sightseeing spots that are located in Aichi Prefecture.
Ghibli’s Large Warehouse
Then, in the warehouse, the indoor area contains an exhibition room, shops and restaurants, a warehouse, and a children’s playground. Next, it features a small cinema with about 170 seats.
Following this, the setting comprises Western and English architectural designs. The children’s playground is inspired by one of their movies, ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ and the sky garden from ‘Laputa:Castle in the Sky’.
Mononoke’s Village
It’s based on their animated feature film, ‘Princess Mononoke‘. It’s a real-life creation of Tatara-ba, the Irontown portrayed in the movie ‘Princess Mononoke’.
Interestingly, the visitors will find figures of the god of destruction; the boar god, the spider-like tatari gami, Lord Okkoto; and other mystical creatures.
Hill of Youth
Obviously, it’s partly based on ‘Howl’s Moving Castle‘, and it’s located at the park’s north entrance. Besides that, it also has European-style brick houses with structures of Whisper of the Heart’s neighborhood antique shop.
Dondoko Forest
The forest represents the rural landscape from the Showa period (1926-1989). Also, it includes Satsuki and Mei’s house from ‘My Neighbor Totoro‘. Interestingly, the name of the place comes from the dondoko dance, which the two sisters perform with the spirit Totoro in the hopes that the seeds they sowed will grow.
Valley of Witches
Moreover, it includes attractions based on Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle. What’s more, the visitors can purchase bread similar to that seen in the film from Kiki’s bakery.
Uniquely, visitors can have a look into Howl’s bedroom in a real-life.
Sources: Timeout, Jrailpass, Placesmy, Ghiblicollection, Ghibli-park, @JP_GHIBLI