What Is the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka?
The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka (Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Bijutsukan) is a museum located inside Inokashira Onshi Park's West Garden in Shimorenjaku, Mitaka City, Tokyo, where you can fully experience the world of Studio Ghibli.
Hayao Miyazaki has stated that he aimed to create a museum where visitors leave feeling that their hearts have been enriched a little, and he wanted the building itself to be designed like a single film.
Because of this, the appeal of this place is not limited to the exhibits.
One of its biggest features is that you can feel yourself drawing closer to the world of Ghibli's works through the way light filters in, the way the breeze flows, and even the movement along the staircases and corridors.
For first-time visitors, even those who are not Ghibli fans can enjoy the architecture and clever design elements themselves, making this a museum with a truly unique appeal.
Top Things to See at the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
The Building Itself Feels Like an Exhibit
On the way to the museum, you will find guide signs along the path, and a large Totoro greets you near the entrance.
However, that is actually a "fake reception desk," and the real entrance is just beyond it.
Once inside, colorful stained glass windows and an open central hall extend before you, leaving a lasting impression even as you simply walk through.
Spiral staircases, iron walkways, and other handcrafted details fill the space, giving you the feeling of stepping into a story-like world even before you reach the exhibition rooms.
Enjoy Exhibits and Short Films Together
The permanent exhibition room "Where a Film Is Born" is designed to convey the inspiration and hands-on craftsmanship behind filmmaking.
The screening room "Saturn Theater (Doseiza)" on the basement floor is a small cinema that seats about 80 people, where short animated films created exclusively for the museum are shown.
Each visitor can watch one film per visit, and the film-strip-shaped admission ticket you receive at entry doubles as your movie ticket.
Since the short films, which can only be seen here, are rotated regularly, there is always something new for repeat visitors to enjoy.
Don't Miss the Rooftop and Reading Room
Inside the museum is a reading room called "Tri Hawks," stocked with picture books and children's books recommended by museum director Hayao Miyazaki and the staff.
Books you take a liking to can sometimes be purchased at the gift shop "Mamma Aiuto," making it a great reference for souvenir shopping.
On the rooftop garden, a statue of the Robot Soldier from "Castle in the Sky" stands tall, offering a more open atmosphere that feels different from inside the museum.
To reach the rooftop, you climb a narrow spiral staircase, and the view that opens up the moment you reach the top is one of the highlights.
Note that the rooftop may be closed during bad weather.
Ghibli Museum Tickets and What to Know Before You Visit
The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka requires advance reservations for a specific date and time, with no same-day or on-site ticket sales.
Tickets are sold through the Lawson Ticket (Loppi) website only and are not available at the museum's ticket counter.
Tickets go on sale on the 10th of each month at 10:00 AM for entry the following month.
Popular weekends and holidays can sell out shortly after release, so it is best to book as soon as your plans are confirmed.
Opening hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and you can choose from seven entry times: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, and 16:00.
You must enter within one hour of your designated entry time, and there is no time limit once inside.
Admission fees (tax included) are 1,000 yen for adults and university students, 700 yen for high school and junior high school students, 400 yen for elementary school students, 100 yen for children aged 4 and older, and free for children under 4.
The museum is generally closed on Tuesdays, with additional long-term closures scheduled each year.
Re-entry is not permitted, so make sure to organize your belongings and meet up with companions before entering.
There are 96 free coin lockers (100-yen return type) inside the museum, allowing you to store large bags and explore freely.
How to Get to the Ghibli Museum from Mitaka and Kichijōji Stations
From the south exit of JR Mitaka Station, it is about a 15-minute walk along the Tamagawa Aqueduct.
You will find guide signs pointing toward the museum along the way, making it feel like a pleasant stroll.
If walking is difficult, you can take the "Mitaka City Bus (community bus)" from the south exit of Mitaka Station, which takes about 5 minutes.
The fare is 230 yen for adults and 120 yen for children (50 yen for children with an IC card), and both cash and IC cards are accepted.
It is also about a 15-minute walk from Kichijōji Station on the JR Chūō Line and Keio Inokashira Line, and from Inokashira-kōen Station on the Keio Inokashira Line.
There is no dedicated parking lot, so plan to use public transportation.
For those arriving by bicycle, there is a bicycle parking area on the grounds with space for about 100 bikes.
Museum Rules and Etiquette to Check First
Here are the most important rules at the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka that first-time visitors should keep in mind:
- Photography and video recording are not allowed inside the museum, except in outdoor areas such as the rooftop garden.
- Large luggage should be placed in lockers or handled separately before visiting.
- Food and drinks cannot be brought into the museum.
- Re-entry is not allowed after you leave the museum.
- Mobile phones should not be used inside the museum.
This museum places great importance on letting visitors experience the space with their own eyes and bodies.
Rather than focusing on taking photos, walking while looking for fine details, sounds, and changes in light will help you enjoy the space the way it was meant to be experienced.
Tips for First-Time Visitors to Enjoy the Museum
Take Your Time to Notice the Building's Details
Before rushing to the exhibition rooms, it is a good idea to slowly take in the stained glass, the ceilings, the staircases, and the views of the central hall.
The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka emphasizes a space where visitors can wander and discover things on their own rather than following a strict route, which comes through clearly in the director's words and the building's design.
Plan on spending around 2 to 3 hours, and including a short film screening and breaks, you can comfortably spend half a day here.
Plan Around the Short Film Screening and Breaks
If you plan to watch a short film at "Saturn Theater (Doseiza)," it is easier to navigate the museum if you map out your visit around the screening time.
Between exhibits, stopping by the cafe "Straw Hat Cafe (Mugiwara Bōshi)," the gift shop "Mamma Aiuto," and the reading room "Tri Hawks" lets you enjoy more than just the exhibits.
The cafe can have long wait times when busy, so if your entry time is early, eat first; if it is late, save the cafe for later, and adjust your route based on how crowded it is.
Useful Facilities for International Travelers and Families with Kids
Accessibility and Family-Friendly Facilities
Multipurpose restrooms are available on each floor, and free wheelchair rentals (3 available) and a nursing room are also provided.
Strollers must be left in the designated area at the entrance, so bringing a baby carrier is convenient and makes the visit easier for those with small children.
Payment Methods and Inquiries
The cafe and gift shop accept credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments, so you can use the facilities easily even without cash.
For inquiries, call 0570-055777 (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, except on closed days).
Summary
The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka is more than just a place to view Ghibli artifacts. It is a museum where you experience the building, exhibits, short films, books, and even the rooftop air all together.
While there are some things to know in advance, such as the reservation system and photography rules, these policies help create an environment where you can fully focus on the world of Ghibli inside.
If it is your first visit, head there with the intention of enjoying the walk itself rather than packing in too many plans, and you will get the most out of what makes this museum special.
