TripToJapan.com Editorial Team
Ghibli Park is in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, inside Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. Its five areas recreate places from Studio Ghibli films. Choose your ticket by the areas and buildings you want to enter, then plan transport through Nagoya around your assigned entry time.
Every visitor needs a valid ticket. Overseas tickets are sold through the official channels listed by Ghibli Park, and the available pass, sale date and entry rules can change. Check the official ticket page and calendar before you build the rest of your day.
Ghibli Park opened on November 1, 2022, in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture. It is not a theme park in the Disneyland sense. There are no roller coasters and no thrill rides. Instead, Studio Ghibli designed it as a walk-through experience where buildings, landscapes, and interiors from their films have been rebuilt at life size and placed inside a forested public park.
Five areas make up the park: Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village, and Valley of Witches. The first three opened with the park in November 2022, Mononoke Village followed in November 2023, and Valley of Witches completed the set on March 16, 2024.
The park is spread across a large site and timed entry applies to Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse. Plan the day around the pass and entry time shown on your booking rather than an assumed visitor cap.
The surrounding Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (locally called Moricoro Park) is free to enter. You can walk the grounds, use the playgrounds, and see the exterior of some Ghibli structures without a ticket. However, you cannot enter any Ghibli buildings or ticketed zones without a valid reservation.
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The connection between this site and Studio Ghibli goes back to 2005. When Japan hosted the World Expo in Aichi Prefecture that year, one of the exhibits was a full-size replica of Satsuki and Mei's House from My Neighbor Totoro. The house became so popular that it remained on-site as a permanent attraction after the Expo closed.
Years later, Studio Ghibli chose the same park as the location for a much larger project. Rather than building a conventional amusement park, Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki and the design team created spaces that blend with the existing forest. The result opened in phases: Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, and Dondoko Forest in November 2022, Mononoke Village in November 2023, and Valley of Witches (the fifth and final area) on March 16, 2024.
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Every visit to Ghibli Park requires an advance online reservation. There are no walk-up ticket windows and no day-of sales at the gate. Tickets go on sale on the 10th of each month at 2:00 p.m. Japan time (JST), covering visits two months ahead. So if you want to visit in September, you need to be online at 2:00 p.m. JST on July 10.
The official overseas ticket page publishes the sale timing and links to the current purchase channels. A sale opening can be busy, so prepare your party details and choose dates before the sale window. Availability is not guaranteed.
Follow the identity and ticket instructions shown by the seller at checkout. Keep the booking confirmation and the identification documents requested for your party; names and entry rules can differ by ticket channel.
Important Note: Ghibli Park tickets are non-transferable. The name on the ticket must match the ID of the person entering. Avoid third-party resellers charging above face value, as resold tickets will be rejected at the gate.
Two main passes are available for international visitors, along with building add-ons and ride tickets.
O-Sanpo Day Pass Premium (all five areas, all buildings included)
Adults: 7,300 yen (weekday) / 7,800 yen (weekend and holiday)
Children (ages 4–12): 3,650 yen (weekday) / 3,900 yen (weekend and holiday)
Ages 0-3: Free
Premium suits visitors who want all five areas and the included building interiors. Some rides and activities still cost extra. Compare it with Standard against your interests and available time.
O-Sanpo Day Pass Standard (Grand Warehouse, Mononoke Village, Valley of Witches outdoor areas)
Adults: 3,300 yen (weekday) / 3,800 yen (weekend and holiday)
Children (ages 4–12): 1,650 yen (weekday) / 1,900 yen (weekend and holiday)
Ages 0-3: Free
The Standard pass gives you access to Grand Warehouse, Mononoke Village, and the outdoor areas of Valley of Witches. To enter buildings inside Valley of Witches, you need to purchase same-day add-on tickets (subject to availability).
Valley of Witches Building Add-Ons (Standard pass holders only)
Okino Residence: 400 yen adult / 200 yen child
House of Witches: 400 yen adult / 200 yen child
Howl's Castle: 1,000 yen adult / 500 yen child
Optional rides and transport
Check the current ride information for separate charges and age restrictions.
If you use the Cat Bus mobility service, check its operating route, fare and accessibility before relying on it for a transfer.
Do not use an old Satoyama Pass price as an overseas-ticket estimate. The current overseas page lists the O-Sanpo Day Pass Premium and Standard options; domestic ticket choices are documented separately in Japanese. Check the channel that applies to your residence and booking.
For overseas visitors, compare the Premium and Standard O-Sanpo Day Pass on the official ticket page.
Do not add a domestic pass or its price to an overseas booking budget unless the official sales channel confirms that you can use it.
Ticket options and sales conditions can change. Recheck the official Ghibli Park ticket page before paying, including the pass areas, assigned Grand Warehouse time and any service charge.
Important Note: A service charge applies at the time of booking. All prices listed above are face-value ticket prices as published on ghibli-park.jp.
The booking process for international visitors follows four steps:
Step 1: Check the official Ghibli Park ticket page and park calendar to see which dates have availability.
Step 2: Set a reminder for the 10th of the month, two months before your planned visit month, at 2:00 p.m. JST. Tickets for September visits go on sale July 10, October visits go on sale August 10, and so on.
Purchase through one of the overseas channels linked on the official Ghibli Park ticket page: Lawson Ticket or Klook. Use the current ticket page and calendar for the sale date, pass choice and identity requirements. Do not rely on a multi-device or queue tactic as a guarantee of tickets.
Step 4: On the day of your visit, bring the passport that matches the booking. The group leader's name must match the ID. Entry will be refused if the names do not match.
Domestic sales use a separate Japanese page. If you are visiting from overseas, use the overseas ticket page and its listed channels unless the operator directs you otherwise.
If your preferred date is sold out, use the options below to revise your plan.
If a date is sold out, check the official calendar and ticket channel for any newly released availability. Cancellations, inventory changes and sale rules are controlled by the operator, so a daily check is only a possibility and never a booking strategy you can rely on.
Weekdays may offer a different availability pattern from weekends and holidays, but the operator does not promise an easy month. Compare the dates visible in the official calendar instead of assuming that a particular month will be quiet.
A travel planner can help fit Ghibli Park into a route after you have a valid ticket or a realistic date plan. A planner cannot create park inventory or guarantee entry, so confirm the official booking first.
For overseas visitors, compare the pass options currently shown on the official ticket page. The site may change which buildings or areas are included, so verify the live ticket description before booking.
Travel via Nagoya and Fujigaoka to Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen station on Linimo, or check the bus options on the official directions page. Allow for the walk from the station or bus stop to your first ticketed area.
Ghibli Park has no dedicated car park. If driving, check Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park parking, current fees and the walk from your chosen entrance.
Route: Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station by Tokaido Shinkansen, then Nagoya subway to Fujigaoka and Linimo to Aichi-kyuhaku-kinen-koen Station. Journey times, train types and fares vary by date and service. Check the current JR Central, Nagoya subway and Linimo timetables before choosing an entry slot.
Calculate the full journey from your accommodation, including transfers and the walk to the booked area. A Shinkansen journey time alone does not describe the door-to-door trip.
A Tokyo day trip is possible only when the ticket time and transport schedule leave enough margin. Check the live railway timetable and the park’s entry and closing information before committing to a same-day return.
The national Japan Rail Pass does not make every Tokaido Shinkansen service interchangeable. Nozomi and Mizuho use a dedicated additional ticket with a national pass, while Hikari and Kodama follow the pass rules. Regional pass coverage differs, so confirm the exact pass terms before counting the Shinkansen as included.
From Shin-Osaka, take a Tokaido Shinkansen service to Nagoya, then the same Nagoya subway and Linimo route. Check the official booking calendar and current rail fare for your date instead of using an old fixed yen figure.
From Kyoto, take a Tokaido Shinkansen service to Nagoya, then the same Nagoya subway and Linimo route. Journey times and fares vary by train and date, so confirm them before choosing a park entry time.
Calculate the complete journey from your hotel using the actual train, local connection and entry time. Leave extra transfer time if travelling with children or luggage.
A day trip from Osaka or Kyoto can work when the park entry time and the return timetable fit together. Leave a margin for station transfers, queues and the possibility of a changed railway schedule.
Once you reach Nagoya Station, the route to Ghibli Park follows two transit lines:
Take the Nagoya subway Higashiyama Line from Nagoya Station toward Fujigaoka, following the current route and fare information from the operator.
Transfer at Fujigaoka to the Linimo and get off at Aichi-kyuhaku-kinen-koen Station. Check the operator’s current timetable and fare before your visit.
A Linimo day pass may be useful for a day with several Linimo stops. Compare the live day-pass price with the individual rides you expect to take.
Leave time to walk between the areas. Check the park map and current mobility-service details for your route; a shuttle should not be treated as a guaranteed connection.
The five areas are spread across the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park and connected by walking paths and the Cat Bus shuttle. Each area draws from different Studio Ghibli films. Plan for 6–8 hours if you want to visit all five at a comfortable pace.
Grand Warehouse is the largest area, fully indoors, and the only one with an assigned entry time on your ticket. Most visitors start here.
The warehouse contains life-size sets and rotating exhibits. Cinema Orion screens short Ghibli films, but the programme changes, so check the current park information for the film and schedule available on your date.
Exhibitions and temporary closures change. Check the official news and park information pages before you travel rather than relying on an old exhibition date.
Allow several hours for the Grand Warehouse if its exhibits are your priority. Follow posted photography rules; permission varies by area.
Premium wristbands are issued at your first visited area, with the party and named ticket holder together. Complete pickup by noon; use the ticket QR code for the Grand Warehouse at your booked time.
Hill of Youth draws from Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns. The area centers on a replica antique shop and the Cat Bureau, set on a hilltop with views over the surrounding park.
This is the smallest area, and many visitors treat it as a quick stop on the way to or from other zones. The elevator tower at the entrance is a recognizable photo spot.
Time needed: 15–30 minutes as a planning estimate. Entry timing and queues depend on the day and the areas included in your ticket.
Dondoko Forest is the Totoro zone. The centerpiece is the life-size Satsuki and Mei's House from My Neighbor Totoro, the same structure that was originally built for the 2005 World Expo and has remained on-site ever since. You can go inside, walk through the rooms, and see the details up close.
A forested walking trail leads through the surrounding woods, with Totoro-themed sculptures placed along the path. The area is at its most atmospheric in spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (fall color), when the forest canopy matches the film's natural setting.
Time needed: 30–60 minutes.
Follow the posted footwear and entry instructions when entering Satsuki and Mei’s House. The building may require shoes to be removed, so footwear that is easy to take off can be practical.
Mononoke Village draws on Princess Mononoke and includes Tatara-ba, the Lord Okkoto slide and the Demon Spirit structure. Check the official area page for the workshop available on your date.
Workshops have separate fees and age or supervision rules. The Lord Okkoto slide can close in rain, and the Demon Spirit structure is not for climbing.
Decide how much time to allow from the activities you choose and current queues. A workshop requires more time than a short walk through the area.
Valley of Witches opened on March 16, 2024, making it the newest and final area of Ghibli Park. It draws from three films: Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Earwig and the Witch.
The centerpiece is a life-size Howl's Moving Castle standing 20 meters tall, the largest structure in the park. Sections of the castle move, and the chimney emits smoke, recreating the feeling of the film's walking fortress. Inside, multiple floors of rooms reproduce scenes from the movie in painstaking detail.
Nearby, the Okino Residence from Kiki's Delivery Service and the House of Witches from Earwig and the Witch are open for walk-throughs. The Guchokipanya Bakery (also from Kiki's Delivery Service) sells real artisan bread, and it is one of the most talked-about food experiences in the park.
The area includes the Merry-Go-Round and other Valley of Witches attractions. Check the current park information for operating details, fees and any temporary restrictions.
Building entry with a Standard pass requires add-on tickets:
Okino Residence: 400 yen adult / 200 yen child
House of Witches: 400 yen adult / 200 yen child
Howl's Castle: 1,000 yen adult / 500 yen child
Premium pass holders enter all buildings at no extra cost.
Leave time for the buildings and rides you choose. Re-entry depends on the pass: Standard allows it only in Valley of Witches; Premium has broader re-entry, with Grand Warehouse re-entry from 3 p.m.
The park has limited dining options compared to a full-scale theme park, so planning your meals in advance matters. Here is what is available:
Flying OVEN is in Valley of Witches. The Transcontinental Flight Café is in the Grand Warehouse. Match meals to the area your pass allows and check the official food page for menus, prices and hours.
Guchokipanya Bakery sells bread and its menu and sales conditions can change. Check the current Valley of Witches information on the official site before planning a meal around it.
The Milk Stand Siberi An is in the Grand Warehouse. Its drinks and snacks can sell out; check the current food information before relying on a specific item.
Rotunda Kazegaoka at the North Entrance offers a café outside the ticketed areas. Before leaving an area for food, check the re-entry rule for your pass.
The official food page also lists a convenience store at the North Gate. Check opening hours before relying on it for supplies.
Eat food brought from outside in the wider Expo park, outside Ghibli Park areas. Follow the official food and drink rules, including restrictions inside exhibition rooms.
Ghibli Park can be a memorable experience for families, but the right experience depends heavily on your children's ages. Here is a breakdown:
Children ages 0-3 enter free. For young children, plan rest and feeding stops and check the official map for changing and nursing facilities.
For younger children, consider the walking involved and choose activities they can use. Check each activity's age and supervision rules before planning around it.
Ages 7–12: This is the sweet spot for Ghibli Park. Children this age are old enough to recognize characters and scenes from the films, and young enough to enjoy the play areas and rides. Howl's Castle and the carousel in Valley of Witches tend to be highlights for this group.
Teens: Best if they are genuine Ghibli fans. The park is contemplative and craft-focused, not thrill-based. Teens expecting roller coasters or fast-paced attractions may be underwhelmed. Teens who love the films will appreciate the detail and the photo opportunities.
Strollers generally stay outside buildings, with some exceptions. Use the designated parking areas and bring a carrier if useful.
Wheelchairs can enter most areas, but some locations have restrictions. Check the official accessibility information for the specific buildings you want to visit.
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Visitors frequently confuse Ghibli Park and Ghibli Museum, or wonder whether they need to visit both. They are separate facilities in different cities, and each offers a distinct experience.
Ghibli Museum is in Mitaka, Tokyo; Ghibli Park is in Nagakute, Aichi. Plan separate visits and tickets, with enough time for the intercity journey.
Scale: The Museum is a single building designed by Hayao Miyazaki. A visit takes 2–3 hours. The Park spans five areas across a large outdoor site and requires a full day (6–8 hours) for a thorough visit.
The Museum focuses on animation and exhibits; the Park focuses on life-size film settings across several areas. Both have short-film screenings, so check each venue's current programme.
The Museum and the Park are separate facilities in different cities. Check each operator’s current ticket page for sale timing and booking rules; do not assume that a monthly lottery or a fixed sale method still applies without checking.
Which should you choose? If your itinerary keeps you in the Tokyo area, visit the Museum. If you are traveling through the Nagoya or Chubu region (or passing through on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka), visit the Park. Dedicated Ghibli fans should plan for both, scheduling them on separate days in separate cities.
Important Note: The Museum and the Park are roughly 350 km apart. Each requires a half day to a full day. Do not try to visit both in a single day.
Ghibli Park works well as either a day trip from a major city or a planned stop on a multi-city route. Here is how to think about the logistics:
For a Tokyo day trip, work backward from your booked park entry and confirm the return train before paying. An overnight stay in Nagoya may give you more flexibility.
From Osaka or Kyoto, a day trip may work if the rail connections and ticket time fit. Compare the full journey rather than assuming every service has the same duration.
Stop on a multi-city itinerary: Ghibli Park fits naturally into a Tokyo → Nagoya → Kyoto → Osaka route. Instead of taking the Shinkansen straight through from Tokyo to Kyoto (which many travelers do), add a one or two night stop in Nagoya. Day one: Nagoya sightseeing (things to do in Nagoya include Nagoya Castle and Osu Shopping District). Day two: Ghibli Park. Day three: continue to Kyoto.
Sample one-day Ghibli Park schedule:
Start with the area and time on your booking; follow any required wristband pickup rule.
Fit other included areas around that reservation and the current opening and last-entry times.
Allow time for meals, walking and queues. Plan the journey back before the final connection.
Treat this as a planning sequence, not a fixed timetable. Prioritise the areas you most want to see and remove stops if the day becomes rushed.
Build a budget from the ticket you select and transport for your actual date. Include every journey for every traveller using the calculation below.
Transport (round trip for two adults)
For two adults returning the same day, price four one-way Shinkansen journeys, plus four one-way local journeys per local transport leg.
If you already hold a pass, check each train's coverage and any additional ticket needed. Nozomi and Mizuho require a separate supplement with the national Japan Rail Pass.
Tickets (two adults, weekday)
Two adult weekday Premium tickets: 14,600 yen before booking service charges, based on the current official ticket page.
Two adult weekday Standard tickets: 6,600 yen before booking service charges and any building add-ons. Recheck the ticket page before purchase.
Food
Choose meals from the current menus and add drinks and snacks separately.
Do not assume a fixed food allowance covers each restaurant or dietary need.
Souvenirs
Set a souvenir allowance that fits your budget; it is optional spending rather than an admission cost.
Total your actual rail and local fares, tickets, service charges, food and optional spending. If converting to another currency, use the exchange rate and fees available when you pay.
Ways to reduce the cost:
Compare eligible pass-covered trains with individual tickets, including any supplements.
Choose Standard if its included areas fit your plans; add the cost and availability risk of any desired building tickets.
Use the overseas ticket choices if booking from overseas. Do not budget with domestic-only Satoyama pricing.
Compare the official weekday and weekend prices for your dates.
Check the current payment and facilities information before travel. Carry a payment method suitable for the services and transport you plan to use.
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