Follow Totoro deeper into the forest

The long anticipated Studio Ghibli—the first Ghibli Park in the world—is opening its doors in Nagoya, Japan on November 1, 2022 after some rescheduling due to the pandemic.

Each section is meant to recreate the magical settings from Hayao Miyazaki’s famous films such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and others. 

Get a closer look at the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagoya, within which the park is being built in a video trailer titled “Play along with the Wind”. You can see the life-sized Satsuki and Mei’s house surrounded by bamboo forests.

Studio Ghibli announced that the theme park will be divided into five areas: Hill of Youth, Ghibli’s Large Warehouse, Mononoke’s Village, Valley of Witches and Dondoko Forest. The park is roughly a three-hour ride from Tokyo by train. They’re expecting as many as 1.8 million visitors per year once all sections are completed. Miyazaki has shared that no trees will be cut down, the focus will lean towards smaller rides and nature trails instead of large roller coasters.

Studio Ghibli’s website has outlined more of its attractions. It says “Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse is an indoor facility that stores all of the studio’s secrets, from large to small artifacts and exhibits from past Studio Ghibli movies.” Visitors will find fantasy-filled exhibitions such as Robot Soldier, Cat Bus, and kid-sized film studio exhibitions, with materials and resources that reveal the secrets of Studio Ghibli films.

Hill of Youth

This area will be based on Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Howl’s Moving Castle. It will be located around the entrance of the park serving as the main gate that is transferred into a yellow observation tower. It will also feature 19th century-inspired objects and inspiration from Whisper of the Heart, particularly the buildings inspired by the antique shop highlighted in the movie.

Ghibli’s Large Warehouse

This area was originally a public swimming pool that has been closed down since 2018. Regardless of the weather, it is designed to be accessible any time of year. The large indoor area will be where visitors can dine, shop and also features playing areas and exhibition spaces. The dining area is inspired by Spirited Away. Housing around 170 seats, the exhibition room will host a small cinema incorporating Western and Japanese architectural designs. Inspired by My Neighbor Totoro, there’ll also be a playroom with a giant Catbus. Visitors will also catch sight of a re-creation of the iconic sky garden from the film Laputa: Castle in the Sky.

Mononoke’s Village

Dedicated to Princess Mononoke, this area will feature a real-life re-creation of Tatara-ba, the Irontown. Mononoke means spirit or supernatural monster, while Tatara refers to the traditional Japanese heating system used to smelt iron and steel. It’s going to house giant sculptures of the movie’s spirits and creatures. The scenery takes you where the movie is set, which is a rural landscape from the Muromachi period (1336-1573).

Valley of Witches

This area has been inspired by films that feature protagonists with magical powers—Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service. This European townscape features Kiki’s family home along with parks and restaurants. The bakery where Kiki lives and works will also be re-created and you can buy bread just like the loaves in the film. As for Howl’s Moving Castle, there will be a real-life, 16-meter version of the castle with moving cannons resembling eyeballs.

Dondoko Forest

Devoted to My Neighbor Totoro, this area will feature Satsuki and Mei’s house surrounded by nature of the rural landscape from the Showa period (1926-1989). Dondoko Forest is derived from the dondoko dance of the two sisters performing together with the spirit Totoro hoping the seeds they planted will sprout.

However, not every area in the park will be ready at the same time. The Hill of Youth, Ghibli’s Large Warehouse and the Dondoko Forest are scheduled to open on November 1 this year, while Mononoke’s Village and the Valley of Witches won’t be ready until autumn of 2023.

The mastermind behind all this, Hayao Miyazaki has brought a revolution in Japanese animation movies and is widely regarded one of the most accomplished filmmakers in the history of animation. Not only does his movies highlight controversy and critical concepts of Pacifism and feminism, but his words of wisdom outside the films are equally motivational. Here’s a quote by the storyteller himself:

“Yet, even amidst the hatred and carnage, life is still worth living. It is possible for wonderful encounters and beautiful things to exist.”

His movies are unquestionably an example of such beautiful things that exist. Here are some of my favorite Studio Ghibli quotes:

“Once you’ve met someone you never really forget them. It just takes a while for your memories to return.” – Zeniba, Spirited Away (2001)

“No matter how many weapons you have, no matter how great your technology might be, the world cannot live without love.” – Sheeta, Castle In The Sky (1986)

“Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed. But still, you find reasons to keep on living.” – Leonardo Santamaria, Princess Mononoke (1997)

We’re sure you can’t wait to experience Studio Ghibli irl. With all these outlines, the park is certainly not your usual theme park but rather a place to make you feel like you are part of your favorite Ghibli movie.

For more information, visit ghibli-park.jp.