Welcome to the world of Miyazaki Hayao, creator of such anime as Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, Porco Rosso, Ponyo , Castle in the Sky and many others. Grand opening of the magical world of anime was on October 1, 2001.
There in the area of Inogashira Park on the corner is the Ghibli Museum. Take a bus, a 6 minute ride from Mitaka station on the JR Chuo line. Open from 10:00ー17:00 weekends to 19:00. Make sure to make a reservation online when visiting. Once you arrive and are handed an entry ticket, don’t be surprised, the ticket you recieve after giving them the reservation slip at the entrance you get a 35mm film strip that features a scene from one of the Studio Ghibli films,
yes , this becomes a collectors item!
World within the world, dedicated to the technique and art of animation making. The Museum is something you might see on a hilltop somewhere in Europe such as Italy or Greece. Concrete structures with circular terraces, colored with brilliant colors, outdoor balconies and gardens, inside having spiral iron stairs and balconies surrounding the interior of the building, welcome every adult and child that visits every day of the year.
The fresco painting on the ceiling of the entrance features many of the Studio Ghibli characters. It’s a fairytale wonderland, filled with charm and magic. From how animation is made to the completion of the movie. Lures children wanting to become an animation creator.
On the second floor the Catbus Room welcomes children with a feel good interior. Children under the age of 12 are allowed to enter the bus. The world of Totoro is right there in the room.
Other features in the museum are the rooftop garden with a giant copper hammered statue of a Robot from Castle in the Sky. The Straw Hat Cafe, only place at the venue that serves food.
Tri Hawks is their library and bookstore. Then there is the souvenir shop called Mamma Aiuto, named after the sky pirates from the movie Porco Rosso.
Original and one of a kind museum to visit while in Tokyo. “ Let’s get lost together” is the slogan of the museum, you will understand it more once visited.