The magical worlds of Miyazaki’s animations collide to create a museum where visitors are as important as the exhibits displayed.
Founded by master animator Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli has produced some of Japan’s finest animation works, including creations such as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and the 2003 Oscar winner Spirited Away. Miyazaki didn’t want the museum to be just a showcase for his work, but a place for discovery and enjoyment.
The building itself plays a pivotal role in realizing the museum’s motto “Let us get lost together” by being a vibrant, meaningless, labyrinthine structure with spiral staircases for climbing and miniature doors for ducking. However, it is also the attention to detail that sets this museum apart. If you look hard enough, there is always something that others have missed, be it a miniature Totoro hiding behind a flower pot or a forest spirit hanging from the ceiling, and when you see it, you will smile for yourself and I hope not. Another Sees It Too You’ll discover even more secrets as you sit in the cozy Saturn Theater to watch a screening of a Ghibli short that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
You don’t need to be familiar with the works of Studio Ghibli to enjoy exhibits that take a look at the science and history of animation. There are also guest exhibits showing works from other animation studios.
Please note that the Ghibli Museum is extremely popular and the number of visitors is strictly limited. Inside Japan Tours can arrange the tickets for your trip, but they are subject to availability and success is not guaranteed.
