The long wait has finally come to an end.
Ghibli Park will be opening on November 1st 2022 in Nagoya, Japan. Originally due to open in 2020, the park’s opening was pushed back due to unexpected delays. Though there is not much information released about the park, here is everything we know so far.
The park has 5 different themed areas: Hill of Youth, Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Mononoke’s Village, Valley of Witches, and Dondoko Forest. Each area is based on some of Studio Ghibli’s most iconic movies. Only Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, and Dondoko Forest will be open during the November grand opening. The other two areas, Valley of Witches and Mononoke’s Village, are rumored to be opening in the autumn of 2023.
The official website stated that there will be no official big attractions or rides at Ghibli Park. Instead, visitors are meant to take a stroll and immerse themselves in the Ghibli experience.
Here is what you can expect from the different areas of the park:
Hill of Youth
European style architecture and buildings, which you may recognise from movies such as ‘Laputa: Castle in the Sky’ and ‘Howl’s Moving Castle”. The iconic orange building from ‘Whisper of the Heart’ will also be at Hill of Youth.
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse
The warehouse is situated at a former public swimming pool, which was closed down and transformed into Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse. By grand, they really meant grand. The entire area is 3 times as big as the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo’s Mitaka neighborhood.
The Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse is an indoor attraction for all ages and seasons. Some highlights of the attraction include a children’s playground from ‘My Neighbour’s Totoro’, an exhibition room, a cinema, shops, restaurants, and surprise! A literal warehouse.
It is also confirmed that the iconic tunnel that Chihiro passed through in ‘Spirited Away’ is currently being built in the Grand Warehouse. There will also be an area dedicated to ‘Arrietty’, where visitors experience the world from tiny Arrietty’s perspective.
Dondoko’s Forest
The last area that will be opened in November is Dondoko’s forest. It is a large lush area that features the Satsuki’s and Mei’s house from ‘My Neighbour Totoro’. It will also house a large wooden Totoro statue called ‘Dondoko-do’.
These two areas below will not be opening with the rest of the park in November 2022. However, here is what we know about them so far:
Valley of Witches
Fans of ‘Howl’s Moving Castle and “Kiki’s Delivery Service” might be able to recognise where the inspiration for this area comes from. Valley of Witches is designed to be a whimsical European town that features restaurants, parks, and rest areas.
At Valley of Witches, you will be able to drop by Kiki’s house, including the inside of Kiki’s bedroom. There will seemingly be a recreation of the iconic bakery where Kiki works and lives in and you will be able to purchase loaves from there.
As a huge fan of the movie ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’, the 16-metres tall real-life recreation of Howl’s Moving Castle might just be the best part of Ghibli’s Park. Calcifer’s stove area, kitchen, living area as well as Howl’s bedroom will all be available for a visit.
Mononoke’s Village
Fans will spot a real-life recreation of the Irontown in ‘Princess Mononoke’ in Mononoke’s Village. Not much information is released about this area but many mystical creatures from the movie will also appear here.
