[Open since November 1, 2022] New Information on Ghibli Park!
On November 1, 2022, Ghibli Park finally opened inside the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park!
17 years after Expo 2005 was held in Aichi—with the theme of "Nature's Wisdom" and presenting the idea of "Love for people, living things, and the planet"—Ghibli Park will now express that same philosophy within the worlds of different Studio Ghibli works recreated there.
This dreamlike park is full of recreations of the worlds within each film. Let's take a sneak peek at Ghibli Park as it's revealed bit by bit!
--CONTENTS--
-Get the full picture of Ghibli Park via the map!
-Learn about each area!
(1) Hill of Youth
(2) Ghibli's Grand Warehouse
(3) Dondoko Forest
(4) Mononoke Village *Opens Fall 2023
(5) Valley of Witches *Opens 2023/2024
-"Play Along With The Wind," Studio Ghibli's first ever tourism promotion video!
-Sighseeing spots around Ghibli Park
-Just a quick drive from Ghibli Park! Nearby popular spots you can go by car
Get the full picture of Ghibli Park via the map!
Ghibli Park will open with four areas centered around the Great Green Square and one more that's a little further away—just a short walk down a garden path.
Although all five areas are scheduled to open, the Hill of Youth, Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, and Dondoko Forest will open on November 1, 2022, and the Valley of Witches and Mononoke Village will open approximately one year after those three.
Learn about each area!
(1) Hill of Youth
#WhisperoftheHeart #耳をすませば #TheCatReturns #猫の恩返し #CastleintheSky #天空の城ラピュタ #HowlsMovingCastle #ハウルの動く城
#WhisperoftheHeart #耳をすませば #TheCatReturns #猫の恩返し #CastleintheSky #天空の城ラピュタ #HowlsMovingCastle #ハウルの動く城
Visitors will be welcomed into the park by the Hill of Youth, near the northern exit of Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park.
This area always had a slope, and as the name "Hill" would suggest, that has been put to use in recreating the “World Emporium” from Whisper of the Heart.
Main character Shizuku Tsukishima climbs a hill to the antique shop called “World Emporium”, where the cat statue Baron awaits...
This area will make you feel as if you walked right into that scene from the movie.
You might also find the Cat Bureau here, straight out of The Cat Returns—a second movie featuring Baron.
The current elevator tower is also apparently being renovated to recreate the fantastical, scientific late-19th-century worlds from Castle in the Sky and Howl's Moving Castle. Note: The elevator reopened for use on March 23, 2022
The park is overflowing with worlds straight out of Studio Ghibli works. It'll be so exciting to see how each area turns out!
(2) Ghibli's Grand Warehouse
Taking advantage of the heated pool area that closed in 2018, this area will be open year-round, regardless of the weather.
This area includes exhibition and screening rooms, shops, a café, a playground for children to enjoy, and more. It's combined with a warehouse that houses many Studio Ghibli display items, so you're able to do tons of fun things here!
The nostalgic fusion of Japanese- and Western-style architecture will merge with recreations of the worlds appearing in Studio Ghibli works to create a space that could only exist at Ghibli Park. It'll surely be an area that tickles the hearts of all Ghibli fans.
(3) Dondoko Forest
#MyNeighborTotoro #となりのトトロ
Adding even more to the area around Satsuki and Mei's House!
A walking path inspired by the Showa countryside views in My Neighbor Totoro will be created in the forest on the hills behind the already-built Satsuki and Mei's House.
The scene in My Neighbor Totoro where Satsuki and Mei dance with Totoro at night to make the seeds they planted grow faster is so memorable! According to Studio Ghibli, that dance is called the Dondoko Dance. That's where Dondoko Forest got its name.
Just like in the movie, this will be a space where children and adults alike can be carefree. You'll definitely feel closer to My Neighbor Totoro on a deeper level here.
(4) Mononoke Village *Opens Fall 2023
#PrincessMononoke #もののけ姫
This area was inspired by the world of Princess Mononoke.
The building in the photo was created in the image of Irontown (that era's version of ironworks), which appears in the movie. The plaza will also contain fixtures inspired by Irontown and Okkoto.
The neighboring fields are part of Aichi Satoyama Laboratory, a facility that offers chances to beautify the nearby undeveloped woodlands and learn about the environment. Here, children can experience new things and learn within the beautiful scenery of a Japanesque landscape.
(5) Valley of Witches *Opens 2023/2024
#KikisDeliveryService #魔女の宅急便 #HowlsMovingCastle #ハウルの動く城
The Valley of Witches boasts the largest size of all five areas. It's based on Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle—both of which are about witches—and will be newly built on unused land.
It'll feature recreations of Howl's Castle and The Waste, along with the Okino Residence (main character Kiki's family home), the garden, and more from Kiki's Delivery Service.
This area will have a totally different atmosphere than Mononoke Village's Japanese-style scenery. It'll also have a playground and restaurant, so you can enjoy a meal here, too.
© Studio Ghibli
Nagakute-CityExpo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
(Expo Park, Moricoro Park)
Hop on the Linimo to Expo Park—you can only find it here!
Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, which houses Ghibli Park, was built on the site of the former Nagakute Area used during Expo 2005 Aichi. It has tons of facilities for both adults and children to enjoy, like the Green Square, a splash pad, a 5.1-km long cycling course, and a natural playground. You can get there by hopping on Japan's only maglev train: the Linimo.
• If coming by the Higashiyama subway line, get off at Fujigaoka Station and change to the Tobu Kyuryo Line (Linimo). Get off at Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station, and it's right there.
• If coming by the Aichi Loop Railway, change to the Tobu Kyuryo Line (Linimo) at Yakusa Station, get off at Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station, and it's right there.
Nagakute-CityLinimo
- Take Japan's first maglev train (Linimo) and go out on the town. Once called the "vehicle of dreams," this maglev train runs while floating just off the ground.
- Go to the Overview >
"Play Along With The Wind," Studio Ghibli's first ever tourism promotion video!
As the first tourism video Studio Ghibli has been involved in, it showcases the charms of "Aichi, where Ghibli Park is."
Take in the beautiful, dynamic scenery captured by drones and the stunning, profound image of Aichi that Ghibli created.
Sighseeing spots around Ghibli Park
Here are several tourism spots you can easily get to from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. There are tons of places nearby that are fun for everyone, from children to adults. Take a look at our trip plans for reference!
Nagakute-CityToyota Automobile Museum
Real vehicles on display showcase the birth and progress of automobiles
This automobile museum opened on April 16, 1989, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Toyota Motor Corporation's founding. Their lineup of cars that were the talk of their times is a must-see for car enthusiasts, and children who love cars will also have a great time. There's also a shop, cafe, and restaurant, so you can take your time and relax there.
• About a 7-minute drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
• Take the Linimo from Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station to Geidai-dori Station (2 stops) and walk for about 2 minutes
Seto-CityAichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum (Exhibition Hall / Ceramic Craft Studio)
A ceramics museum with a substantial collection
One of Japan's leading ceramics museums, this facility showcases very valuable ceramic-related items! You're free to browse their valuable collection of about 8,000 ceramic works, including three Important Cultural Properties. Pieces range from older Japanese ceramics to Chinese, Korean, and Islamic ones, modern and contemporary ones, industrial ones, and more.
• About a 7-minute drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
• Take the Linimo from Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station to Tojishiryokan Minami Station (1 stop) and walk for about 13 minutes
Just a quick drive from Ghibli Park! Nearby popular spots you can go by car
Take Sanage Green Road for an easy drive to the most popular spots in Aichi Prefecture! It connects the urban areas of the prefecture to the ones filled with lush nature.
Also, you can drive straight along Prefectural Route 209 to get to the heart of Seto City—known for its Seto wares—in about 15 to 20 minutes. You can get around with public transit, too! From Yakusa Station on the Linimo, you can take the Seto Community Bus and get off at Seto Eki-mae (Station).
Aside from that, Nisshin City (next to Nagakute City, where Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park is located) is a great place for families. It's home to Aichi Farm, for example, which offers tons of different experiences.
Toyota-CitySanage Onsen
A natural radon hot spring that comes recommended by doctors and is even drinkable
This is one of the prefecture's largest natural radon hot springs. The water here is called "medicinal hot water," and it's one of the few sources in the country that you can drink from. You can either do a day trip to this hot spring, or stay in the hotel here. It's also perfectly located right in the middle of Aichi Kogen Quasi-National Park, an area blessed with beautiful scenery that's been used to create 14 different Japanese gardens. Don't miss out on the illumination at night, which creates a gorgeous, fairy tale-like atmosphere.
• About a 15-minute drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
Toyota-CityAsuke Townscape (Important Preservation District Townscape)
Perfect for a stroll: An old townscape with a warm, nostalgic feel
This old townscape still retains its original look, back from when it flourished as an inn town. Take a leisurely walk along Manrin Alley and other beautiful alleyways, and you'll feel enveloped by the nostalgic surroundings. The entire town comes together for lots of events that can be enjoyed along with the old townscape.
• About a 30-minute drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
Seto-CitySeto-Gura Museum / Seto Mono Shop
Facilities housing many pieces of Seto ware—everything from popular to rare items
Seto-Gura is a tourist spot located in the heart of Seto City. You can visit the Seto-Gura Museum to learn all there is to know about Seto ware, and then head to the Seto Mono Shop on the first floor to buy Seto ware pieces at direct-sale prices.
• About a 15-minute drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
• Take the Linimo from Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station to Yakusa Station (2 stops), transfer to the Aichi Loop Railway, and then get off at Setoshi Station (3 stops); then, get on the Seto Line at Shin-Seto Station (a 3-minute walk), get off at Owari Seto Station (2 stops), and walk for about 5 minutes
Note: You can also take the Community Bus from Yakusa Station to Owari Seto Station
Nisshin-CityAichi Farm
A Touristic Dude Ranch on the Outskirts of Nagoya Where Visitors are Able to Interact with Farm Animals
This touristy farm near Nagoya with free admission is home to 130 dairy cows. They also offer fresh milk, ice cream, gelato, and other dairy products you can only get this fresh on a farm. Children over two years old can ride ponies or thoroughbreds led by ropes, and many visitors also love to try milking cows or have a barbecue in the designated gardens.
• About a 22-minute drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
• Take the Linimo from Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station to Yakusa Station (2 stops), transfer to the Aichi Loop Railway, and then get off at Shin-Toyota Station (6 stops); then, get on the Meitetsu Toyota Line at Toyotashi Station (a 6-minute walk), get off at Kurozasa Station (5 stops), and walk for about 12 minutes
