Name: Ghibli Museum
Address: 1-chōme-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan
Rating: 4.6

Whimsical museum dedicated to the famed animation studio with a play area, theater & rooftop garden.

Tokyo Disneyland

Provided by Google

Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo Skytree

Sensō-ji

While the museum is visually stunning, photography is prohibited inside to encourage visitors to fully immerse themselves in the experience.

Photography Restriction

The museum's cafe offers adorable and delicious food, reflecting the whimsical nature of Ghibli films.

Charming Food

Tickets for the Ghibli Museum are time-specific, requiring visitors to arrive at a designated time slot for entry.

Ticket System

Tickets purchased outside Japan for foreign visitors are valid for the entire day, allowing more flexibility in exploring the museum.

Flexible Tickets

Ghibli Museum

The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is not simply a repository of animation cells; it's a meticulously crafted experience designed to evoke the whimsical spirit of Studio Ghibli's films. Conceived by Hayao Miyazaki himself, the museum's architecture mirrors the fantastical structures found in his movies, featuring winding staircases, hidden passages, and vibrant colors that defy conventional museum design. One of its unique aspects is the deliberate avoidance of a prescribed route, encouraging visitors to explore and discover at their own pace, mirroring the sense of adventure found in Ghibli's narratives. The rooftop garden, featuring a life-sized Robot Soldier from *Castle in the Sky*, offers a tangible connection to the studio's iconic imagery. The museum's exclusive short films, screened only within its walls, provide a rare glimpse into Ghibli's ongoing creative process. Even the museum's playful rejection of photography inside is a deliberate choice, urging visitors to fully immerse themselves in the experience and retain memories through personal observation rather than digital documentation.

Introduction

The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka features the Saturn Theater, a small cinema in its basement dedicated to showing exclusive short animated films produced by Studio Ghibli. With only about 80 seats, the theater offers a unique viewing experience enhanced by its decor: a blue sky and colorful flowers painted on the ceiling and walls. At the end of each film, the windows open, allowing sunshine to stream into the theater.

These short films are a significant draw for visitors, as they are not available for viewing anywhere else. The museum regularly rotates the films screened, ensuring a fresh experience for returning guests. Examples of shorts that have been shown include "The Whale Hunt," "Koro's Big Day Out," "Mei and the Baby Cat Bus," "The Day I Bought a Star," "House Hunting," "Mon Mon the Water Spider," "A Sumo Wrestler's Tail," "Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess," "Treasure Hunting," and "Boro the Caterpillar."

Currently, the film "Mon Mon the Water Spider" is being screened throughout June 2025. This film tells the story of Mon Mon, a water spider who falls in love with a damsel water strider. The story is based on the panorama box of the same name displayed in the museum's "Beginning of Movement" room.

Exclusive Short Films

The Ghibli Museum's rooftop garden is home to a towering Robot Soldier, a recreation of the robot from "Castle in the Sky," which overlooks the Tokyo skyline. This iconic statue, designed with meticulous attention to detail, stands as a testament to Miyazaki's vision and Studio Ghibli's artistry. The robot's presence offers visitors a tangible connection to the animated world, allowing them to step into the imaginative realms of Ghibli's films.

Visitors eager to see the Robot Soldier must ascend a spiral staircase to reach the rooftop garden. The pathway behind the Robot Soldier leads to another garden, filled with plants, flowers, and water features, reflecting Miyazaki's environmentalist values. The robot's shape and spikes against the sky and surrounding greenery make for a dramatic photo opportunity.

The rooftop garden provides a peaceful retreat where visitors can relax and immerse themselves in the Ghibli atmosphere. The Robot Soldier serves as a reminder of the creativity and artistry that define Studio Ghibli's timeless works.

Rooftop Robot Sculpture

The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka embodies immersive storybook design through its architecture and exhibits, creating a portal into the world of Studio Ghibli's beloved animated films. Hayao Miyazaki was deeply involved in the museum's creative aspects, ensuring the architecture and decor reflected the studio's whimsical style. The building blends modern interior design with fairytale-esque elements like stained-glass windows and spiral staircases, nestled in Inokashira Park to create a seamless transition into a fantastical realm.

Visitors are encouraged to wander without a set route, discovering hidden passages and secret ways to explore the three floors accessible by staircase, spiral staircase, and elevator. The museum's interior design ensures visitors appreciate the experience without distractions, fostering a sense of being the main character in a storybook world.

Exhibits showcase the animation process with models and elaborate background art from various films. The Saturn Theater screens exclusive Ghibli short films, offering a unique peek into the studio's creative process. Miyazaki's passion is evident in the illustrations and artwork created for special animation exhibitions, with many pieces never published before. These exhibitions delve into specific films, characters, and animation aspects, enhancing the museum's immersive quality. The rooftop garden, with its manicured green space and playful details, further captures Ghibli's dreamy atmosphere.

Immersive Storybook Design

The Ghibli Museum showcases animation techniques through various exhibits, providing insight into the artistry behind Studio Ghibli's films. A permanent exhibition room recreates a Studio Ghibli art director’s studio, displaying the meticulous detail involved in crafting the films' backdrops, emphasizing the studio's unique approach to animation where backgrounds receive as much attention as foreground action. The museum also features a three-dimensional zoetrope named "Bouncing Totoro," illustrating the principles of animation with models of characters from "My Neighbor Totoro."

Another exhibit, "Where a Film is Born," replicates an animation studio, revealing the creative processes of animation filmmaking, including illustration techniques. This five-room exhibit displays drawings and illustrations covering the walls, alongside books and toys that inspire the animators. Visitors can explore the stages of creating an animated film, from sketches and storyboarding to keyframing, cleanup, coloring, and background painting. The main exhibition hall demonstrates the magic of animation with oversized and intricate mechanical contraptions. These exhibits collectively highlight Studio Ghibli's dedication to both traditional and innovative animation methods.

Animation Techniques Showcase

Hayao Miyazaki's visionary spirit is the cornerstone of the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. Established with the ambition of creating animated films that transcended age and cultural barriers, Miyazaki envisioned a haven where fans could fully immerse themselves in the enchanting realms he brought to life. The museum's concept was born from his desire to offer a firsthand experience of the magic behind Studio Ghibli's animation.

Miyazaki personally designed the museum, employing storyboards similar to those used in his films. Eschewing a set path, he encouraged visitors to wander freely through his captivating world, embodying the museum's motto: "Let's lose our way together." Inspired by European architecture, the museum's exterior exudes playfulness and charm, mirroring the magical realms depicted in Studio Ghibli's films.

Inside, special installations offer an exclusive peek into Miyazaki's artistic journey, showcasing hand-drawn storyboards, intricate concept art, and miniature sets. These exhibits unveil the dedication, passion, and meticulous craftsmanship that define his artistic endeavors, providing a comprehensive understanding of the intricate process behind creating an animated film. Miyazaki wanted the Ghibli Museum to be a place where kids can explore freely. The museum stays true to the visions of Miyazaki-sensei with the sole purpose to inspire, educate, and entertain.

Ghibli Museum

Did You Know?

Photography Restriction

Charming Food

Ticket System

Flexible Tickets

Highlights from Reviews

Location