Ghibli Park
Toshio Suzuki stood before the press in 2017 to reveal a plan that would reshape the landscape of Nagakute. He announced a theme park dedicated entirely to the world of My Neighbor Totoro. The location chosen was the Aichi Expo Park, an area that had hosted the World Expo 2005 just twelve years prior. This site already contained a replica of the house from the film, which served as a foundation for future expansion. Plans initially targeted an opening date of 2020, but the vision quickly grew beyond a single movie. By 2019, Studio Ghibli formed partnerships with the Aichi Prefecture and the Chunichi Shimbun newspaper. Hayao Miyazaki joined the planning process directly, while his son Goro took on the role of director and lead designer. The scope shifted from a small attraction to a massive five-area complex covering nearly 300 hectares.
Groundbreaking occurred in 2020 after years of initial planning and partnership negotiations. Construction moved forward through 2021 and into early 2022 as teams prepared the grounds for multiple zones. February 2022 brought news that the park would officially open on November 1st of that same year. Three areas were ready for visitors at launch: the Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, and Dondoko Forest. A second phase of construction began immediately to prepare the remaining districts. June 2022 marked a shift when officials announced delays for the Valley of Witches area. This section was pushed back to March 2024 to allow for more detailed work. The final zone, Mononoke Village, opened alongside the delayed valley district in the spring of 2024. The entire project spanned four years from groundbreaking to full completion.
The heated swimming pool that once sat at Expo 2005 closed its doors in 2018 before becoming Ghibli's Grand Warehouse. Inside this converted space, an Air Destroyer Goliath measuring six meters long floats above ruined gardens from Castle in the Sky. Visitors walk through numerous exhibitions featuring scene recreations designed specifically for photo opportunities. These walkthroughs cover a lengthy series of moments from the studio's filmography. Cinema Orion operates within the building to show short films available only here and at Tokyo's Ghibli Museum. The structure itself stands as a testament to adaptive reuse, turning a public facility into a cinematic shrine without adding new rides or roller coasters.
An observation tower rises above the Hill of Youth area styled to match the time period of Howl's Moving Castle. This structure offers views across the park while maintaining the aesthetic of the animated film. Below the tower sits World Emporium, an antique shop adapted directly from Whisper of the Heart. A Cat Bureau building appears nearby, recreated as a tiny structure sized for cats rather than humans. The design team ensured every element reflected the source material without introducing modern amusement park thrills. Visitors can explore these spaces freely while walking among trees and hills that mimic the countryside settings found in Miyazaki's works.
Satsuki and Mei Kusakabe's house closed its doors in November 2021 for extensive renovation work before reopening with the rest of the park. The name Dondoko Forest comes from the dance performed by Satsuki, Mei, and Totoro during a specific scene in My Neighbor Totoro. Behind the house lies a wooden playground located on top of the forest hill. Park officials describe this spot as where 'Dondoko-do' awaits visitors at the summit. The existing replica built during Expo 2005 was restored to its original condition to serve as the heart of this district. No new construction replaced the house; instead, careful restoration preserved the integrity of the original model.
Irontown stands as a village settlement within Mononoke Village representing Princess Mononoke. A traditional charcoal burner's hut sits nearby allowing guests to experience daily life in Emishi Village models. Workers operate iron forge bellows under the supervision of staff members dressed in period-appropriate costumes. Models of many mystical creatures featured in the film line the pathways throughout the area. The design emphasizes interaction rather than passive observation. Visitors can engage directly with the environment through hands-on activities that mirror the labor depicted in the movie. This approach keeps the focus on atmosphere and storytelling instead of thrill rides or mechanical attractions.
the 16th of March 2024 marked the official opening date for the Valley of Witches district after months of delay. A life-sized replica of Howl's Moving Castle rises four to five stories high as the centerpiece of this zone. Restaurants and two small children's rides occupy the surrounding space including Zamperla Magic Bikes themed to Castle in the Sky. A carousel featuring elements from three films plus Princess Mononoke completes the ride selection. Kiki and her parents' home appears alongside the bakery Gütiokipänjä for visitors to explore. The area draws inspiration from both Kiki's Delivery Service and the wastelands found within Howl's Moving Castle while maintaining a strict no-big-rides policy.
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Common questions
When did Ghibli Park officially open its first three areas?
Ghibli Park officially opened its first three areas on the 1st of November 2022. The Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, and Dondoko Forest were the initial zones available to visitors at that time.
Who are the key figures behind the planning of Ghibli Park?
Hayao Miyazaki joined the planning process directly while his son Goro took on the role of director and lead designer. Toshio Suzuki announced the plan in 2017 and Studio Ghibli formed partnerships with the Aichi Prefecture and the Chunichi Shimbun newspaper by 2019.
What is the total size of the five-area complex for Ghibli Park?
The scope shifted from a small attraction to a massive five-area complex covering nearly 300 hectares. This entire project spanned four years from groundbreaking in 2020 to full completion in spring 2024.
Where is the Valley of Witches district located within Ghibli Park?
The Valley of Witches district is located as one of the final zones alongside Mononoke Village in the spring of 2024. It officially opened on the 16th of March 2024 after being pushed back from its original schedule.
How was the Grand Warehouse building converted for use at Ghibli Park?
The heated swimming pool that once sat at Expo 2005 closed its doors in 2018 before becoming Ghibli's Grand Warehouse. Inside this converted space an Air Destroyer Goliath measuring six meters long floats above ruined gardens from Castle in the Sky without adding new rides or roller coasters.