HOME New Details of 'Ghibli Park' Revealed! Check Out the World of 'Spirited Away' and 'Princess Mononoke'
New Details of 'Ghibli Park' Revealed! Check Out the World of 'Spirited Away' and 'Princess Mononoke'

New Details of 'Ghibli Park' Revealed! Check Out the World of 'Spirited Away' and 'Princess Mononoke'

Last updated: 22 February 2021

The Ghibli Park Promotion Division in Aichi Prefecture has announced an overview of the Ghibli Park facility, which is set to open in the fall of 2022. The mysterious towns of "Spirited Away" are being recreated, and this is quickly becoming a hot topic on the Japanese web.

Table of Contents
  1. 5 Areas in Total. 3 Areas To Open in Fall 2022.
  2. Youth Hill Area: With facilities for “Whisper of the Heart” and “The Cat Returns”
  3. “Ghibli Large Warehouse Area”, Where the Mysterious Town of “Spirited Away” Appears
  4. “Dondoko Forest Area” - Recreating the Natural Space of Satsuki and Mei's House From "My Neighbor Totoro"
  5. “Princess Mononoke Area” and ”Witches’ Valley Area” To Be Opened in 2023

5 Areas in Total. 3 Areas To Open in Fall 2022.

Ghibli Park is a theme park scheduled to open in Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture. Ghibli Park will cover an area of about 7.1 hectares out of about 194 hectares of the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, and is made up of five areas based around Studio Ghibli works.

Overview of Ghibli Park Plan
Overview of Ghibli Park Plan

There will be five areas at Ghibli Park: “Seishun no Oka Area” (“Youth Hill Area”); “Ghibli Dai Soko Area” (“Ghibli Large Warehouse Area”); “Dondoko Mori Area” (“Dondoko Forest Area”); “Mononoke Hime Area” (“Princess Mononoke Area”); and “Majo no Tani Area” (”Witches’ Valley Area”).

Of these, three areas are scheduled to open in fall 2022. Details of “Ghibli Large Warehouse Area” and “Dondoko Forest Area” have been revealed.

Youth Hill Area: With facilities for “Whisper of the Heart” and “The Cat Returns”

The Youth Hill Area, which will serve as the main gate, will be lined by buildings resembling the antique shop Chikyuu-ya from “Whisper of the Heart” and Cat's Office from “The Cat Returns”. It seems to be an area inspired by 19th century science fiction.

"Youth Hill Area" - Image illustration. ©Studio Ghibli
"Youth Hill Area" - Image illustration. ©Studio Ghibli
"Youth Hill Area" - Design concept. ©Studio Ghibli
"Youth Hill Area" - Design concept. ©Studio Ghibli

“Ghibli Large Warehouse Area”, Where the Mysterious Town of “Spirited Away” Appears

The mysterious town of "Spirited Away" appears in the "Ghibli Warehouse Area", complete with exhibition room and cafeteria. There will also be a video exhibition room with around 2.5 times the number of seats at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. What content will be screened has yet to be announced.

“Ghibli Large Warehouse Area” Image Illustration. ©Studio Ghibli
“Ghibli Large Warehouse Area” Image Illustration. ©Studio Ghibli
“Ghibli Large Warehouse Area” Design Concept.  ©Studio Ghibli
“Ghibli Large Warehouse Area” Design Concept. ©Studio Ghibli
“Ghibli Large Warehouse Area” Street Concept. ©Studio Ghibli
“Ghibli Large Warehouse Area” Street Concept. ©Studio Ghibli

“Dondoko Forest Area” - Recreating the Natural Space of Satsuki and Mei's House From "My Neighbor Totoro"

The “Dondoko Forest Area” will have a company (Yashiro) and a footpath that appear in the movie, in addition to the existing Satsuki and Mei's House from "My Neighbor Totoro".

“Dondoko Forest Area” Image Illustration. ©Studio Ghibli
“Dondoko Forest Area” Image Illustration. ©Studio Ghibli
Existing Satsuki and Mei's House. ©Studio Ghibli
Existing Satsuki and Mei's House. ©Studio Ghibli

“Princess Mononoke Area” and ”Witches’ Valley Area” To Be Opened in 2023

The remaining two areas, “Princess Mononoke Area” and ”Witches’ Valley Area”, are scheduled to open in 2023, with details revealed in the future.

“Princess Mononoke Area” Concept Illustration. ©Studio Ghibli
“Princess Mononoke Area” Concept Illustration. ©Studio Ghibli

The Princess Mononoke Area will consist of themes from Irontown and a charcoal kiln from Princess Mononoke.

”Witches’ Valley Area” Concept Illustration. ©Studio Ghibli
”Witches’ Valley Area” Concept Illustration. ©Studio Ghibli

Finally, the Witches’ Valley Area will be lined by buildings inspired by "Howl's Moving Castle" and Okino House, home to the main character of Kiki's Delivery Service.

According to the announcement, there is a possibility that admission will be done completely online. It is also said that there are different approaches under consideration, including ticket lottery and letting people visit the outside of the park or gift shops, so that there are a number of ways to enjoy the facilities.

If you're a Ghibli fan, why not plan a trip to Japan in time for the opening in 2022?

The Ghibli Park Promotion Division is estimating that there will be around 1 million visitors a year at the time the facilities first open, with 1.8 million at the time the park is completed and fully opened in 2023.

  • Ghibli Park
    ジブリパーク
    • Address Ibaragabasama Otsu 1533-1 Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture (in Aichi Expo Memorial Park), 480-1342
    • Nearest Station Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park Station (Aichi Rapid Transit Tobu Kyuryo Line)
*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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