As a fan of Studio Ghibli, visiting Ghibli Park in Aichi, Japan had always been high on my bucket list. Some of my favorite Studio Ghibli films have got to be the whimsical worlds of Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle. So, finally stepping into those stories in person felt surreal and I was soooo excited. Every detail was alive with nostalgia, warmth, and a touch of magic.
The Hike to Dondoko Forest
Our visit began at the Dondoko Forest. We made our way up the gentle hike to Dondoko Forest – the area inspired by My Neighbor Totoro. The walk itself was peaceful and scenic, winding through trees that felt straight out of the film.
At the top, we were greeted by a huge, round Totoro waiting quietly inside his wooden house. It was impossible not to be in awe! Standing before it felt like meeting the character in person and you could even go inside it and view the world from its point of view! The rustic surroundings and the cozy atmosphere of the forest made it such a beautiful start of our day.
Don’t miss out the little shop right beside it! It was selling some cute Totoro keychains and omamori bag charms that was exclusive to the Dondoko Forest. Tip: I don’t think I saw these merchandise being sold at the gift shop. So if you like it, just get it right there before you miss it!
The Valley of Witches
Our next stop was the Valley of Witches, a section of the park inspired by Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service. It felt like walking into a storybook with the cobblestone paths, whimsical buildings, and the incredible sight of Howl’s Moving Castle.
The amount of detail in the craftsmanship of Howl’s moving castle was jaw-dropping even when we only saw it from the outside. You can actually see its limbs moving and smoke pumping out from the chimney. From the pipes and gears of the castle to the tiny details in each shop window, everything captured the charm and wonder of Ghibli’s world. It truly felt alive as if in the animation movie!
We even spotted Heen wandering along a small pavement, the little dog from Howl’s Moving Castle. It was such a small but delightful surprise that made me so excited for the nth time now. Tip: If you want the Heen soft toy, do go straight to The Valley of Witches first to get it because it gets sold out as soon as the park opens its gates.
Entering the Grand Warehouse
Right after lunch (we had burgers and fries from the Mos Burger food truck), it was nearly time for us to enter the Grand Warehouse! Thereafter, this was the part that I was looking forward to the most and just imagine my excitement when we were queuing for it. Quick tip: Buy your tickets early (ticket sales open two months in advance) so you get to pick your desired time slot.
We only managed to get tickets for the 3.30pm time slot and the park closes at 5pm. As a result, the moment we stepped in, it was a flurry of excitement and a bit of a mad rush, but so much fun.
The space was filled with intricate recreations of Ghibli’s iconic scenes. As a huge Spirited Away fan, seeing the bathhouse, the scene of No Face in the train, and Yubaba in her office space come to life left me in such awe. We queued around 30 minutes to take a photo at the famous train scene with No Face, and honestly, it was worth every minute even though my heart was racing with the little amount of time left.
We even managed to watch a 10-minutes Totoro film that was screened exclusively inside the park! They even gave each of us a cute ticket stub that was like a film strip and you can keep it as a souvenir. Each stub shows a different scene and I really really loved that detail. It was such a heartwarming bonus that made the whole experience even more special.
The Fifteen-Minute Shopping Spree
Before we knew it, time had flown by. We were dashing around the gift shop in the last 15 minutes before the park closes. Surrounded by Totoro plushies, crystal puzzles, soot sprites keychains, and many other limited-edition Ghibli goods, it was pure chaos inside me as I was torn between buying everything!
If you’re a collector or Ghibli lover, definitely budget time (and maybe a little extra cash!) for the shop. Any visitor there would surely be tempted to bring a bit of that magic home.
Getting around Ghibli Park
If you want to experience getting ferried around by the cute, grinning Cat Bus from ‘My Neighbor Totoro’, do make sure to look out for it when you are at Mononoke Village or Dondoko Forest. Tickets are available for specific time slots which connects both places in a ten minutes ride through the forest. You can easily purchase tickets at ticket machines in the park and costs 1000 yen one way.
💡 Tips for Visiting Ghibli Park
If you’re planning your own visit, here are a few helpful tips:
- 🎟️ Get the O-Sanpo Premium Pass – it’s the only way to access certain interior areas, like Howl’s Castle and other special exhibits. I personally think that is the best way to fully enjoy the Ghibli Park!
- ⏰ Book tickets early – Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Entry slots are timed and often sell out quickly. Ticket sales begin two months in advance and you can get it easily through Klook. So do make sure you time that purchase well ahead of time!
- 🛍️ Arrive on time – The queue to the Grand Warehouse starts about 30 minutes before your time slot. You will want every minute inside the Grand Warehouse and the gift shop.
- 🕐 Set aside at least half a day — You will have a lot of fun walking from the themed zones through the walking trails, and many photo opportunities with various Ghibli themed spaces. Set aside enough time to explore at a relaxed pace.
How to get to Ghibli Park
There are a few ways to get to Ghibli Park. If you are coming from Tokyo or Osaka, take a train or inter-city bus down to Nagoya first, then:
■Train
Take the Higashiyama Subway Line from central Nagoya to its terminal station, Fujigaoka (30 minutes, 290 yen, frequent departures). From Fujigaoka, take the Linimo elevated train and get off at Aichikyuhaku Kinenkoen Station. It is just in front of the north entrance gate of the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (15 minutes, 340 yen, frequent departures). The park is just outside the station from Exit 2.
■Shuttle Bus from Nagoya Station
There are also direct buses between the Meitetsu Bus Center next to Nagoya Station and the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. The ride takes 40 minutes and costs 1200 yen one way. Buses operate roughly hourly.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Visiting Ghibli Park was more than just a day out. It was like walking through the worlds that shaped my imagination of the enchanting world. Each area, from the Grand Warehouse to Dondoko Forest and the Valley of Witches, felt alive with a whisk of magic.
If you’ve ever been touched by a Ghibli film, this park is an absolute must-visit. It captures the same quiet magic, warmth, and wonder that make these stories timeless.
May your trip to the Ghibli Park bring you as much joy as it brought me!
