Two unique Studio Ghibli attractions in Japan attract Ghibli fans from all over the world: The Ghibli Museum in Tokyo and Ghibli Park in Nagoya. I visited both the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park – both are incredible, magical places to visit on a trip to Japan. This guide breaks down some of the key questions you might have when deciding for yourself which to visit: Ghibli Museum or Ghibli Park?
Fans of Hayao Miyazaki’s whimsical and heartfelt movies including Spirited Away, Ponyo, Totoro, and the latest The Boy and the Heron will adore visiting both Ghibli Park and the Ghibli Museum. You might be asking though if you’re short on time, which should you visit, the Ghibli Museum or Ghibli Park?
If you’re a Ghibli fan, be sure to also check out my list of Ghibli things to do in Tokyo too. You won’t want to miss them!
Quick intro to the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park
Before jumping into Ghibli Park vs Ghibli museum, let’s get the basics straight. What is exactly are the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park?
The Ghibli Museum is the original place of interest for Studio Ghibli fans visiting Japan. The Ghibli Museum opened in 2001 in Mitaka, Tokyo. It showcases through permanent and rotating exhibits the behind-the-scenes work of developing a Ghibli animation film. The Ghibli Museum is also known for having an in-house movie theater, The Saturn Theater, where exclusive Ghibli short films are screened. Read more about visiting the Ghibli museum in my post here.
Ghibli Park on the other hand, opened in late 2022 in Aichi prefecture near Nagoya. It is located within a large public park, the Aichi Commemorative Park. Ghibli Park consists of various ticketed-entry sections scattered throughout the public park. Sections include the Ghibli Grand Warehouse, the Valley of Witches, the Mononoke Village, and Totoro’s Dondoko Forest. Life-size replicas of Howl’s Moving Castle, Satsuki and Mei’s house, and Kiki’s Bakery, a real bakery (!) can also be explored here.
Is it worth going to both the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park on a trip to Japan?
Answer: If Studio Ghibli movies and characters are some of your favorite things about Japanese culture and you consider yourself a Ghibli super-fan, then yes: visit both the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park! The two attractions complement each other and provide different experiences to Ghibli fans.
If you are looking for the ultimate, all-in-one Ghibli experience, then Ghibli Park is the full-day and immersive Ghibli attraction for you.
If you are short on time but still want to experience some Studio Ghibli magic, then the Ghibli Museum near Tokyo is your time-efficient and cost-effective experience.
Keep reading for more details on visiting Ghibli Park vs Ghibli Museum!
Similarities and Differences between the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park
Similarities
Some similarities exist between both the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park. They both have theaters that shows Ghibli short films that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world (find the film schedules at the Ghibli Museum here and Ghibli Park here).
Both showcase some behind-the-scenes animation processes like drawings and storyboards. Both have awesome, one-of-a-kind souvenir shopping opportunities.
They both evoke a sense of wonder and magic, like stepping in to another world!
Differences
The most obvious difference between the two Ghibli attractions is their location and layout. While the Ghibli Museum is in Mitaka and a half-day trip from Tokyo, Ghibli Park is a full-day experience near Nagoya.
The Ghibli Museum exhibits are all enclosed within one museum building (including its rooftop and terrace) while Ghibli Park consists of clustered attractions scattered throughout a public park space.
To summarize:
The Ghibli Museum showcases Ghibli-centric animation and their film-making process.
The Ghibli Park immerses visitors in various, life-sized worlds created by Studio Ghibli.
How much time to spend at the Ghibli Museum vs Ghibli Park?
Answer: You can spend a half-day (2-3 hours) at the Ghibli Museum, and a full day (8 hours) at Ghibli Park.
The Ghibli Museum entry times are set when purchasing tickets: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. Official Ghibli museum hours are from 10am to 6pm. Each time I visited the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka (which is an unashamed 4 times) I stayed around 2-3 hours. Pair the museum visit with a stop at Hiroshige’s Cream Puff factory where they sell kawaii Totoro-shaped cream puffs and a wander around nearby Kichioji Park, and you have a perfect half-day excursion from Tokyo.
Ghibli Park hours are from 9am to 5pm. Big Ghibli fans will use every second of those opening hours! When I visited Ghibli Park, I arrived right at 9am, and by about 4:30 I needed to rush to see sections of the park I had yet to explore! Visitors to Ghibli Park should expect to spend a full day there. Because Ghibli Park is located about 50 minutes from Nagoya city center as well, it’s best to stay the night in Nagoya before your entry day so you can arrive right when it opens.
Which is better for short trips to Japan - Ghibli Museum or Ghibli Park?
Answer: If you are short on time, plan to visit Ghibli Museum in Tokyo instead of Ghibli Park in Nagoya.
There’s no doubt about it – Ghibli Museum is easier to access on a short trip to Japan versus Ghibli Park. The Ghibli Museum is located between Kichijoji and Mitaka Stations, which can be reached in about 20 minutes from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo.
Check out specifics and directions (on an adorable map) on how to reach the Ghibli museum on its website here. Since you’ll probably only spend a half-day at the museum, the rest of your day can be filled with other Ghibli things to do in Tokyo, or other cute and kawaii Tokyo activities!
Ghibli Park on the other hand, is located near Nagoya and is a full-day excursion. Since you’ll want to enter the park right at 9am when it opens, you’ll likely have to spend the night in Nagoya too.
I love Nagoya and recommend spending at least one full day in Nagoya to experience Japanese history and culture (including explore the Toyota Museum of Technology and Nagoya Castle). But I it’s not a traditional stop on a first-timer’s Japan itinerary.
Looking for other things to do in Tokyo?
- Read up on my Tokyo itinerary – The Perfect Three Days in Tokyo Itinerary
- Check out the highlights – Top 15 Things To Do In Tokyo
- See Tokyo’s weird and quirky side – 40 Weird And Unique Things To Do In Tokyo
- Learn where to escape the crowds – Off-The-Beaten-Path Places In Tokyo
- Get out of the city for a day – Best Day Trips From Tokyo
- Gain some elevation over Tokyo – Six Amazing Tokyo Viewpoints
Which is better value for money, Ghibli Park or Ghibli Museum?
Answer: Ghibli Museum is cheaper to enter and cheaper to access than Ghibli Park, making it a better value for money between the two.
The Ghibli Museum ticket is a super-affordable 1000 yen per person (less than $7 USD). The museum can be reached by train from central Tokyo in under $5 USD. Although the museum is smaller than the park, it’s a great budget-friendly activity for Ghibli fans.
Ghibli Park tickets range from 3,500-4000 yen (~$25 USD) per person to 7,000-7,500 yen (~$50 USD) per person. The regular pass allows for access to each of Ghibli Park’s themed regions but without access to inside the buildings. The Premium pass includes entry to each of the regions and Ghibli buildings like the House of Witches, Howl’s Moving Castle, and the World Emporium antique store from a the movie A Whisper of the Heart.
If you factor in an overnight stay in Nagoya and getting to and from Nagoya to the park, Ghibli Park has a significant time and money cost compared to the Ghibli Museum. For super fans of Ghibli though, it’s still totally worth it!
Which is better for kids, Ghibli Park or Ghibli Museum?
Answer: Both Ghibli Park and the Ghibli Museum are very kid-friendly and are amazing places to visit with kids. Overall, Ghibli Park is a more unforgettable experience for kids vs the Ghibli Museum.
Ghibli Park wins this category because it has larger Ghibli-themed play areas for kids and more interactive exhibits that kids can touch and explore (especially in the Premium pass buildings). The Valley of Witches and Mononoke Village both have outdoor, Ghibli-themed playgrounds for kids. Ghibli Park also has a beautiful carousel that kids (and adults) will love.
Ghibli Park’s location in a large public park also means lots of running space for kids, and even unaffiliated slides and jungle gyms for energetic young ones too.
The Ghibli Museum on the other hand, has a playroom for toddlers where they can climb on a Cat Bus, and a small outdoor rooftop space to take pictures with the Laputa robot. It’s also located near Kichijoji Park and a local zoo.
Ultimately, both Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park are magical places for kids and adults, and kids are sure to enjoy both experiences.
Which is less crowded, Ghibli Park or Ghibli Museum?
Answer: Ghibli Park feels less crowded than the Ghibli Museum due to each ticketed section being spread out across a public park.
Both Ghibli Park and Ghibli Museum are wildly popular tourist attractions in Japan for both locals and international visitors. Both locations sell out of tickets in a matter of hours when they go on sale each month, meaning they are at max capacity basically every day of the week.
Because Ghibli Park is spread out across different locations within a larger park, it feels much less crowded than the Ghibli Museum. The Museum does not have a large interior, so you can expect to be surrounded by people at all times. At the Park, even on the weekends, you might find yourself wandering alone through Dondoko Forest or through certain sections of the Ghibli Grand Warehouse.
That being said, expect to wait in lines or navigate crowds in both Ghibli attractions, especially when lining up for photo opps.
Which is more interactive, Ghibli Museum or Ghibli Park?
Answer: Ghibli Park is more interactive, especially with the Premium Pass to explore Ghibli-famous buildings.
One of the saddest misconceptions I read about Ghibli Park online is that it’s only for taking Instagram photos. This is completely untrue! For true Ghibli fans, experiencing the inside of buildings like Howl’s Moving Castle and Totoro’s Satsuki and Mei’s house, is a one-of-a-kind experience.
The interior of the Studio Ghibli buildings at the Park are treated like interactive arts of work: no photos, but explore to your heart’s desire. Visitors are encouraged to open closets, desks, books, and backpacks to see things from the perspective of their favorite characters.
In Satsuki and Mei’s house, you can rummage through the toys that they play with, the letters that they wrote, and pump water out from the well in the backyard. In Kiki’s house you can see her drawings at her desk and peek inside her travel pack to see what she brought with her when she left home on her witch’s broomstick. In Howl’s Moving Castle, leaf through magician’s books and decode cryptic wizard text.
The Ghibli Museum also has its fair share of interactive exhibits, especially the animation room where you can take a peek into how the animations are created and filmed. Their A Film Is Born room also allows guests to flip through books and photo albums of Ghibli inspirations and storyboards.
Which is better overall, Ghibli Park or Ghibli Museum?
Answer: Ghibli Park is the ultimate Ghibli experience, and in my opinion, has more to offer than the Ghibli Museum.
Ghibli Park is a one-of-a-kind and must-visit Ghibli attraction in Japan. The combination of exploring Ghibli icons like Howl’s Moving Castle, eating bread from the real Kiki’s Bakery, and exploring the Grand Warehouse (which could be compared to the Ghibli Museum on steroids) puts Ghibli Park above Ghibli Museum in my book.
However, true Ghibli fans should definitely visit both Ghibli Park and Ghibli Museum because you will love and appreciate both. If you can, visit the museum first to get a first taste of the magic of Ghibli, then fully immerse yourself in the world of Ghibli at Ghibli park.
Are You Prepared For Your Trip To Japan?
Be sure to check out my Japan home page for Japan travel information, insider tips, reading list, and must-haves for traveling to Japan!
- Book Your Flights – To find the cheapest flights, flexibility is key. I use both Google Flights for their low fare calendar, and Skiplagged, which uses airfare loopholes to get the lowest prices. For a trip to Japan, check flights to both Tokyo airports (Haneda, Narita) and to Osaka (Kansai).
- Getting Around Japan: Prepare your JR Pass and Suica transit card before you depart.
- Book Your Accommodation – Check out Booking.com for the largest selection of accommodation in Japan. Consider having a bit of fun at one of these Weirdest Hotels in Japan too 🙂
- Book Local Excursions – Don’t miss out on world-class experiences, like Teamlab Borderless or Tokyo Disneyland, by booking tickets online now. Check GetYourGuide and Klook for fun experiences all around Japan.
- Stay Connected: Order a pocket WiFi for airport pickup if you’re traveling with family or with a large group. Solo traveling to Japan? Order a SIM card just for you.
- Pack Your Essentials – Check out my posts about Long Term Travel Gear, and Carry-On Luggage Packing Essentials.
- Read more on my Travel Resources page!
