Studio Ghibli is an anime studio known for their movies, they’re whimsical, fantastical and just seem like a fairy tale told in a movie.
Founded in 1985, it has fans all around the world for their unique form of storytelling and artform, with their movies making a big emphasis on nature and landscapes.
It has made a lot of people dream about visiting the places they see in the movies, a thing that was impossible. Until now.
What is Ghibli Park?
Ghibli Park is a park that seeks to bring different places for Studio Ghibli’s movie into real life. It’s being built on and within the grounds of Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park (Moricoro Park) and will be enclosed by a forest.
Because of this, there will not be any big attractions or rides at the park, the idea is to take a stroll, feel the wind and discover the wonders of Ghibli that will surround you.
What will the park have?
Currently there are five lands announced that are drawn from Ghibli movies, these will be built on a 200-hectare plot of lands, seeking to create a sense of wonder among its visitors.
For reference, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is around 50 hectares, and Animal Kingdom is around 230.
There are three lands that will open on the first face on November 1st, 2022. While the other two don’t have an official opening date but are rumored to open in 2023.
Opening on November 1st
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse: This is a large indoor area designed to be accessible any time of the year, even if it rains or snows. It will feature Japanese and Western-style buildings that are going to host the dining locations, shops, playing areas and exhibition spaces, with the dining area inspired by Spirited Away.
Hill of Youth: Allegedly, this area will be at the entrance of the park and will contain a lot of 19th century-inspired accents, with a steampunk elevator inspired in Howl’s Moving Castle to view the whole land, and buildings inspired by the antique shop featured in Whisper of the Heart.
Dodonko Forest: This area is inspired by My Neighbor Totoro, featuring a replica of Mei and Satsuki’s (the main character’s) house from the movie. It will have a lush rural landscape and is planned to have walking tours and paths.
Opening later
Mononoke Village: This area will evoke the Muromachi period (1336 – 1573) that inspired the movie Princess Mononoke, with Irontown featuring prominently. It will also have giant sculptures of the movie’s spirits and creatures.
Valley of Witches: This area will include a small amusement park, with a replica of Kiki’s parents’ house (from Kiki’s Delivery Service) and Howl´s Castle (from Howl´s Moving Castle).
While you wait…
The Aichi Tourism Bureu (the area where the park is being built) released a new trailer called “Play along with the Wind” that was produced by Studio Ghibli, a rare occurrence for the studio that specializes in animation.
The video shows different sightseeing spots in Aichi prefecture, including a small sequence of Satsuki and Mei’s house from My Neighbor Totoro.
If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli, you’ll want to watch the video carefully because, according to Time Out Magazine, the studio has said that each item seen inside the suitcase at the beginning of the short film has a hidden story.