Ghibli Park vs Museum:
How to Get Tickets
Entering the world of Miyazaki is a dream for many, but getting tickets is a nightmare. Here is your strategy guide.
01. Ghibli Museum (Tokyo)
Located in Mitaka, Tokyo. It's a small, whimsical museum designed by Miyazaki himself.
- Highlights: The Catbus (kids only), the rooftop Robot Soldier from Laputa, and exclusive short films.
- Vibe: Intimate, artistic, no photos allowed inside.
- Time: 2-3 hours.
02. Ghibli Park (Nagoya)
Located in Aichi Expo Park, near Nagoya (1 hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen). It's a massive park with distinct areas.
Ghibli's Grand Warehouse
The main indoor area. Exhibits, photo spots (No Face train scene), and shops.
Hill of Youth
Features the antique shop from *Whisper of the Heart*.
Dondoko Forest
Satsuki and Mei's house from *My Neighbor Totoro*.
Valley of Witches
New area featuring *Kiki's Delivery Service* and *Howl's Moving Castle*.
03. Buying Strategy (CRITICAL)
You must buy them online in advance. There are NO tickets at the door.
When to buy:
- Ghibli Museum: Tickets go on sale on the 10th of the previous month at 10:00 AM JST. (e.g., Buy Oct tickets on Sep 10).
- Ghibli Park: International tickets go on sale 2 months in advance on the 10th at 2:00 PM JST.
Pro Tip: Use a VPN if the site is blocking you, and have multiple devices ready. If you fail, check Lawson Ticket (Japanese site) if you can navigate Japanese.
04. Which one is better?
| Feature | Ghibli Museum | Ghibli Park |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Tokyo (Easy) | Nagoya (Day Trip) |
| Scale | Small / Intimate | Huge / Sprawling |
| Rides | None | Carousel / Flying Machine |
| Photos | Banned Inside | Encouraged |
Good Luck!
May the odds be ever in your favor. It's worth the stress.