Studio Ghibli theme park
October 14, 2022 12:35 AM Subscribe
Fittingly, the location is the site of Aichi Expo 2005, which "emphasized the close links binding humanity to nature in the 21st century." (I have quite vivid and fond memories of that Expo and park, especially exhibits and performances by indigenous groups from around the world.)
Some of my relatives live quite close to that area; another relative is a huge Ghibli fan who has been stuck abroad throughout the pandemic and is longingly following updates about the theme park...
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 3:01 AM on October 14, 2022
Some of my relatives live quite close to that area; another relative is a huge Ghibli fan who has been stuck abroad throughout the pandemic and is longingly following updates about the theme park...
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 3:01 AM on October 14, 2022
I visited the Studio Ghibli museum in Mitaka in 2019 and it was one of the most wonderful places I have ever been to. This article does nothing to suggest that the theme park won't be more of the same; much more. I can't wait to go.
posted by merlynkline at 5:03 AM on October 14, 2022
posted by merlynkline at 5:03 AM on October 14, 2022
It's quite difficult to go to the Ghibli Museum, I've found - for foreigners, they sell tickets a month in advance, on one specific day, presumably because the interest massively outstrips the building capacity. So this makes sense.
posted by Merus at 5:15 AM on October 14, 2022
posted by Merus at 5:15 AM on October 14, 2022
the location is the site of Aichi Expo 2005
I tried to go to that Expo but failed! Huge queues the day I went, which was towards the end of things, and eventually they closed admissions and sent us all away.
I was lucky enough to make it to the Ghibli Museum twice though, same era. The zoetrope in the first room downstairs is the closest thing I've ever seen to real magic.
I desperately need to visit the theme park. It looks immersive and wonderful.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 8:23 AM on October 14, 2022
I tried to go to that Expo but failed! Huge queues the day I went, which was towards the end of things, and eventually they closed admissions and sent us all away.
I was lucky enough to make it to the Ghibli Museum twice though, same era. The zoetrope in the first room downstairs is the closest thing I've ever seen to real magic.
I desperately need to visit the theme park. It looks immersive and wonderful.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 8:23 AM on October 14, 2022
I was living in Japan during the Expo so made a point to go there for a day trip. It was pretty meh but I'm still glad I went. The Ghibli theme park seems like a good use of the space. I went to the museum in Mitaka for the first time this summer, it was always closed when I wanted to go earlier, and it was quite enjoyable although the gift shop was way too small. We were in a Ghibli shop in Fukuoka earlier in the trip and my kids wanted something but I told to them wait until we went to the museum because obviously they'd have a better selection there. I was so so so wrong.
I've got a friend that lives in Nagoya and every time I go back to Japan I visit him and his family but it's always a day trip where maybe we will see something (previous highlights are the Nagoya TV Tower, Komeda Coffee, and Oasis 21). Maybe now we'll actually stay for longer than a day and see a bit more of the city. Or maybe it'll just be a long day trip and taking a late Shinkansen back.
The zoetrope in the first room downstairs is the closest thing I've ever seen to real magic.
Yes, that room was the highlight of the museum for me.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 4:39 PM on October 14, 2022
I've got a friend that lives in Nagoya and every time I go back to Japan I visit him and his family but it's always a day trip where maybe we will see something (previous highlights are the Nagoya TV Tower, Komeda Coffee, and Oasis 21). Maybe now we'll actually stay for longer than a day and see a bit more of the city. Or maybe it'll just be a long day trip and taking a late Shinkansen back.
The zoetrope in the first room downstairs is the closest thing I've ever seen to real magic.
Yes, that room was the highlight of the museum for me.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 4:39 PM on October 14, 2022
> It's quite difficult to go to the Ghibli Museum, I've found - for foreigners []
Huh, my memory was that they made it quite easy. There was a reservation system that gave priority to international visitors, which is how our group got in. [Just checked and heard that this program has been changed or discontinued...darn]
Prices range from $3.50 to $9 for children and from $7 to $17 for adults.
Another thing I remember about the Mitaka museum, apart from its charm and calm, was that it was surprisingly affordable. (I dunno, maybe I've spent too much time in HCOL areas surrounded by Disneyland-level prices.) Really appreciate that the admission isn't price-gougy even for this much bigger park.
The result is believed to be Japan’s first “hybrid park,” built around an existing public space to minimize harm to the environment. Mindful of sustainability, its creators sourced as many materials as possible locally.
I'd want to know more but this is probably my favorite part!
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 4:44 PM on October 14, 2022
Huh, my memory was that they made it quite easy. There was a reservation system that gave priority to international visitors, which is how our group got in. [Just checked and heard that this program has been changed or discontinued...darn]
Prices range from $3.50 to $9 for children and from $7 to $17 for adults.
Another thing I remember about the Mitaka museum, apart from its charm and calm, was that it was surprisingly affordable. (I dunno, maybe I've spent too much time in HCOL areas surrounded by Disneyland-level prices.) Really appreciate that the admission isn't price-gougy even for this much bigger park.
The result is believed to be Japan’s first “hybrid park,” built around an existing public space to minimize harm to the environment. Mindful of sustainability, its creators sourced as many materials as possible locally.
I'd want to know more but this is probably my favorite part!
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 4:44 PM on October 14, 2022
I think the Ghibli Museum is only difficult to get tickets to as a foreigner if you're already in country and didn't buy your tickets in advance, or I suppose if you're going during a really busy time of year. It did require pre-trip planning when we went, but it was fairly drama-free from what I remember.
Just checked and heard that this program has been changed or discontinued...darn
The Museum restricted tickets to domestic visitors during the pandemic, and because tourist travel has only just restarted in earnest in Japan, I'm guessing it might be a while before the program resumes. I don't think it's permanently canceled as all the language I've seen says it's a temporary restriction.
Funnily enough, it might still be possible to buy the tickets if you are in Japan, but as mentioned above, that's probably the most difficult method for a foreign visitor to buy a ticket, so...
posted by chrominance at 8:07 PM on October 14, 2022
Just checked and heard that this program has been changed or discontinued...darn
The Museum restricted tickets to domestic visitors during the pandemic, and because tourist travel has only just restarted in earnest in Japan, I'm guessing it might be a while before the program resumes. I don't think it's permanently canceled as all the language I've seen says it's a temporary restriction.
Funnily enough, it might still be possible to buy the tickets if you are in Japan, but as mentioned above, that's probably the most difficult method for a foreign visitor to buy a ticket, so...
posted by chrominance at 8:07 PM on October 14, 2022
Now I want to run a Ghibli-themed LARP!
posted by Flight Hardware, do not touch at 7:16 AM on October 15, 2022
posted by Flight Hardware, do not touch at 7:16 AM on October 15, 2022
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I want to go there.
posted by McNulty at 2:07 AM on October 14, 2022