Immerse yourself in the world of the film! A report from Ghibli Park, where the new area "Valley of Witches" has opened

*Prices include tax.
*Photography is not permitted at Ghibli Park during normal business hours, with some exceptions.

A must-visit for visitors even from far away, experience the world of Ghibli at the site of the former Expo

Nagakute City is adjacent to Nagoya City. In 2005, the Aichi Expo was held, and the site of the expo has been developed into the lush Expo Memorial Park. Ghibli Park, located within the park, opened in November 2022, and admission to three areas, "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse," "Hill of Youth," and "Dondoko Forest," has begun. Since then, the park has been gradually developed while taking into consideration the history and environment of the park. "Mononoke Village" opened in November 2023, and the new area "Valley of Witches" opened on March 16, 2024, completing the five areas originally planned.

As the official airline of the "Expo 2005 Aichi," JAL welcomed customers from all over the world and is also an official partner of "Ghibli Park."

To get to Ghibli Park from Chubu Centrair International Airport, the gateway to Aichi Prefecture, take the Meitetsu train, subway, or airport bus to Fujigaoka Station, then take the Linimo (Aichi Rapid Transit Tobu Kyuryo Line) to Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen Station. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are also direct buses from Chubu Centrair International Airport.

A new area called "Valley of Witches" that expresses the world of works featuring witches

First, head to the new area, "Valley of Witches." In front of the entrance gate, a face based on the witch Bella Yaga from "Earwig and the Witch" will greet visitors with its mouth wide open.

When you enter "Valley of Witches," you'll feel as if you've wandered into the world of a Ghibli film! "Witch's House" contains Bella Yaga's mysterious workshop, Aya's bedroom, a bathroom, and a kitchen, and it feels as if the characters might jump out at any moment.

The European-style building is the "Guchokipanya Bakery" that appears in "Kiki's Delivery Service." When you step inside, you'll be greeted by the delicious smell of fresh bread! You can actually buy bread at the bakery on the first floor. There is a wide variety of breads available, including popular European breads inspired by the film, as well as Ghibli Park originals such as "Napolitan" and "Uiro Canelé."

Climbing the stairs in the backyard of the "Guchokipanya Bakery," you'll find the attic where Kiki and Jiji slept. There are food preparations and a broom leaning against the wall... You can imagine Kiki working hard on her witch training.

The Okino Residence is where Kiki lived before she set off on her journey to train as a witch. On the first floor is the witch shop where her mother Kokiri makes potions, as well as a guest room and a kitchen. On the second floor is Kiki's room and her father's study where he studies witches.

There was also "Howl's Castle" from "Howl's Moving Castle". It was amazing to see a part of the 20m-tall castle suddenly start moving and emit smoke like a living thing! It was truly a "moving castle". On the second floor, there was Howl's bedroom, Howl's costume room, Howl's studio, bathroom, and more, and you could feel immersed in the elaborate worldview.

This is a hat shop run by Sophie, the main character of "Howl's Moving Castle." The shop on the first floor, "Hatter's Hat Shop," sells hats and candies with motifs from the work. The bookstore on the second floor, "Witch's Bookshelf," has a selection of books related to witches and magic, which you can also purchase.

The "Merry-go-round" (1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and under) is based on the image of a traveling amusement park that comes to the village once a year. It is decorated with motifs of vehicles, animals, and characters that appear in Studio Ghibli films.

Another amusement attraction, the Flying Machine (500 yen), is based on the world of "Castle in the Sky" and is aimed at children ages 3 to 12 (adults may ride only if accompanied by a child of the age).

There are also restaurants and shops in the area. The brick-built restaurant "Flying Oven" serves oven-baked dishes such as pies and quiches, as well as desserts. "Witch's Valley Shepherd's Pie" (2,500 yen) is a traditional British dish made with lamb on the bone.

The hot dog stand, Hot Tin Roof, sells "Cat's Paw Dog" (990 yen each), which are large sausages sandwiched in buns shaped like cat's paws, as well as french fries, drinks, and more.

The merchandise shop "Witch Coven 13" sells products inspired by "Kiki's Delivery Service," "Howl's Moving Castle," and "Earwig and the Witch," with motifs of buildings and items from "Valley of Witches." These include pouches (1,980 yen each) and handkerchiefs (1,540 yen each) developed in collaboration with "LIBERTY," and plates (4,950 yen each) and mugs (4,400 yen each) developed in collaboration with "ARABIA."

Check out the new exhibits such as "The Boy and the Heron" at "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse"!

The "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse" is the only indoor area among the five areas. It contains the "Public Warehouse" where the creations and sculptures displayed at Ghibli-related exhibitions are stored, the Central Exhibition Room where special exhibitions are held where you can immerse yourself in famous scenes from the works, a video exhibition room where short animations are screened, a children's play area, cafes and shops, and more, condensing the charm of "Ghibli."

Starting this March, new objects have been installed in the "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse." As part of the exhibits related to "The Boy and the Heron", there is a blue heron perched on the roof of the central exhibition room, and a pelican on a nearby roof... It's fun to stroll around and find objects that you might miss if you don't look closely.

Standing near the elevator is Oshirasama from "Spirited Away." This is also a new object.

"Hill of Youth" inspired by "Whisper of the Heart"

The first thing you see after passing through the "Main Gate" at the north entrance of Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park is the "Elevator Tower." It was designed based on the science fiction worldview of the late 19th century. After passing through the "Hill of Youth" gate, you will come to the "Rotary Square" from "Whisper of the Heart," and around it are the antique shop "World Emporium" visited by the main character Tsukishima Shizuku, and the "Cat's Office" from "The Cat Returns."

When you enter the World Emporium, you will find antique furniture and clocks placed in every nook and cranny on the second floor. The mechanical clock is also eye-catching. On the first floor is the violin workshop where Seiji Amasawa learned how to make violins.

The "Cat Office" is cat-sized, so humans cannot enter, but if you peek through the small window you can see Baron and Muta relaxing in a room surrounded by furniture and accessories.

While walking along the mountain path in Dondoko Forest, we came across some play equipment modeled after Totoro!

If you walk up the mountain path in Dondoko Forest, you will find Dondoko-do at the end! Children up to elementary school age can enter and play inside the cute wooden playground equipment. Wood from Aichi Prefecture is used, and the earthen walls are made by plasterers who have inherited traditional techniques.

"Satsuki and Mei's House" has a realistic kitchen, bathroom, living room, Japanese-style room, Western-style room, etc., and you can feel the lifestyle of the main characters, sisters Satsuki and Mei, and their father Tatsuo. I felt like Makkuro Kurosuke was somewhere and searched for him.

"Mononoke Village" where you can see the rural landscape inspired by "Princess Mononoke"

This area is filled with the scenery of Satoyama, reminiscent of the original Japanese landscape. There are impressive objects modeled after Tatarigami, which appears in "Princess Mononoke", and Okkoto-nushi's slide! Near Tatarigami, there is also a watchtower from an Emishi village.

At this hands-on learning facility, modeled after the Tatara ironworks that appears in "Princess Mononoke," you can try grilling Aichi Prefecture's local dish "Gohei mochi" over charcoal (1,200 yen per person/ages 10 and over). Rice wrapped around a skewer is grilled over the charcoal of a shichirin charcoal grill, then coated with your favorite sauce and grilled again to finish. You can eat it hot and fresh.

Travel between areas of Ghibli Park on the latest "Cat Bus"

The "APM Cat Bus" (one way 1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for children, free for those under 3 years old) runs on the outer path of the park connecting "Mononoke Village" and "Dondoko Forest." It is an experiential mobility vehicle, short distance low speed type EV, that was developed by Toyota Motor Corporation and designed with the image of the Cat Bus in mind. Riding the Cat Bus through the forest is an exciting experience.

*The APM Cat Bus is not a Ghibli Park facility. Please check this website before using it.

What did you think? Ghibli Park, which consists of five areas, is very large, and there are many other attractions in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park that allow you to experience the world of Ghibli works. Why not go and visit the world of Ghibli works that you admire?

Ghibli Park

© Studio Ghibli

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