Children worldwide have grown up watching the wonderful animated films of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder. For years, Studio Ghibli films often serve as an introduction to the vast world of anime and have convinced many enthusiasts. However, many people have already made the pilgrimage to the famous Studio Ghibli Museum in Tokyo. We are pleased to announce that the construction of the Ghibli amusement park is underway to bring to life the films that made it successful.
What is an Amusement Park?
An amusement park can be defined as a commercially operated park having various devices for entertainment (such as a merry-go-round and roller coaster) and usually booths for the sale of food and drink. The park is designed and built in such a way that every structure is entertaining in one way or the other.
An amusement park is not to be confused with a theme park, which is still a kind of amusement park but unlike that, it is centered on a specific theme.
Learn more about theme parks.
Studio Ghibli Amusement Park
The Ghibli Studio amusement park is a park that represents the world of Studio Ghibli. It is built on and within the grounds of Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park (Moricoro Park).
When Will Studio Ghibli Amusement Park Open?
Studio Ghibli announced plans for the Ghibli amusement park in 2017. After some rescheduling due to the pandemic, Ghibli says the park is ready to open its doors. Then what is the official opening date?
Ghibli studio theme park is officially opening to visitors on November 1, 2022. Unfortunately, the visitors will not have full access to the park as only part of it will be accessible to the general public. This is due to the fact that just three of the five lands of the park will be totally achieved.
Learn more about this by reading the rest of the article. Ahead of the launch, Studio Ghibli launched the park’s official website.
Where will the Park be Located?
The location chosen for the park is the EXPO Park, the site of the 2005 World Expo, located in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture. The park, nestled in the countryside east of Nagoya, covers an area of more than 200 hectares.
According to Blooloop, the Studio Ghibli amusement park 2022, construction will cost ¥34 billion ($323 million) and is likely to attract around 1.8 million visitors each year.
Location : Japan, 〒480-1342 Aichi, Nagakute, Ibaragabasama, 乙１５３３−１
Which Attractions Shall Feature in the Park?
Studio Ghibli amusement park 2020 announced “There are no big attractions or rides in Ghibli Park. Take a stroll, feel the wind, and discover the wonders.”
The park will be divided into five lands, with some based on specific movies. It will focus on recreating the movie’s scenes and nature trails. As announced on their website, we should not expect Studio Ghibli theme park rides.
Instead, The park will bring guests into Ghibli’s fantasy world through lush gardens and highly themed buildings.
Interestingly, Miyazaki made it a point that no trees were cut during the construction of the park.
The park will therefore pay tribute to the natural beauty that inspired the wonderful world of these animated films. Ghibli amusement park will therefore include the following lands:
- Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse
- Hill of Youth
- Dondoko Forest
- Valley of Witches
- Mononoke Village
As we said above, just three of these five lands will be made available at the opening, that is the Grand Warehouse, the Hill of Youth and the Dondoko Forest.
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse
This warehouse is located on the former site of a large swimming pool. This indoor attraction can be visited throughout the year, regardless of the weather. It will feature Western fusion-style buildings, an exhibition room, a video exhibition room, and playing areas and will even host dining locations.
Hill of Youth
Hill of Youth will be themed to the film Howl’s Moving Castle. It hosts a giant elevator, which will allow guests a view of the whole land when in it. Located at the north entrance of the Ghibli amusement park, you will find a collection of 19th-century objects from the film.
Dondoko Forest
We can also call this forest Totoro amusement park, as it is inspired by the movie My Neighbor Totoro. Dondoko forest will be the location of Satsuki and Mei’s house and will extend beyond the existing structures to blend into the surrounding countryside.
Valley of Witches
image credit: Studio Ghibli
Valley of Witches takes inspiration from the films Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle. It will include a small amusement park, as well as a replica of Kiki’s parents’ house and Howl’s castle. It is the first of the Ghibli amusement parklands that will open in 2023.
Mononoke Village
Mononoke Village, based on the film’s setting of Irontown (Tatara), which is protected by a lake and high walls, will showcase Princess Mononoke. It’s also going to house giant sculptures of the movie’s spirits and creatures. It is the other land of the park opening in 2023.
Checkout top-rated attractions in Japan
How Much Do the Tickets to Different Theme Parks Cost?
Ghibli amusement park plans to keep its admission fees affordable. Since the Expo Park is a public space, to access it no need to spend. Instead, each land of Ghibli Park will charge its own entry fee. For the three lands opening in November, here are the fees to pay :
Ghibli’s Large Warehouse : Weekdays ¥2,000 (children ¥1,000), weekends and holidays ¥2,500 (children ¥1,250)
Hill of Youth : ¥1,000 (children ¥500)
Dondoko Forest : ¥1,000 (children ¥500)
NB: A visitor at the park is considered “children”, if he or she is a kid between 4 and 12 years old. Admission for children of 3 and younger is free.
Tickets are available to book since the beginning of this month and it’s required that tickets should be purchased in advance via an online reservation system. The idea behind the reservation system is to limit crowd size at the park and allow guests to leisurely soak in the atmosphere, a policy adopted in Ghibli Museum too and which has proven itself.
After the opening on November 1, the park is scheduled to be :
- Opened from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays (except for major school holidays)
- Opened from 9 am to 5 pm on weekends and public holidays.
- Closed on Tuesdays, except when Tuesday is a public holiday.
Conclusion
Anime theme parks bring the feeling of anime alive to their visitors. Being there brings you closer to the characters you enjoyed watching in the anime series or to the movie itself.
Once you’re inside the Miyazaki theme park you can stay as long as you like, at least until closing. So reserve your ticket now, to present on the opening day.
Related topic: Pokemon attractions in Japan
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