On November 1, 2022, Ghibli Park opened inside the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park!
17 years after Expo 2005 was held in Aichi—with the theme of Nature's Wisdom and presenting the idea of Love for people, living things, and the planet—Ghibli Park will now express that same philosophy within the worlds of different Studio Ghibli works recreated there.
Ghibli Park is full of recreations of the worlds within each film. Let's take a sneak peek!
Notes:
• All admission to Ghibli Park requires a reservation.
—CONTENTS—
Learn about each area!
(1) Hill of Youth
(2) Ghibli's Grand Warehouse
(3) Dondoko Forest
(4) Mononoke Village
(5) Valley of Witches *Opens in 2024
-"Play Along With The Wind", Studio Ghibli's first ever tourism promotion video!
-Sightseeing spots around Ghibli Park
-Nearby popular sightseeing spots
Ghibli Park consists of five areas. On November 1, 2022, Hill of Youth, Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, and Dondoko Forest opened with Mononoke Village next opening on November 1, 2023, and Valley of Witches planned to open in 2024.
Learn about each area!
(1) Hill of Youth
#WhisperoftheHeart #TheCatReturns
#WhisperoftheHeart #TheCatReturns
Located near the northern gate of Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, this area welcomes visitors and leads them to the world of Ghibli Park.
This area always had a slope, and as the name Hill would suggest, that has been put to use in recreating the World Emporium from Whisper of the Heart.
This area will make you feel as if you walked right into that scene from the movie.
There's the Cat Bureau from The Cat Returns.
The Elevator Tower features world view elements from late-19th-century science fiction, such as seen in Castle in the Sky and Howl's Moving Castle, and is located near the park's North Gate Square. It can be used by anyone using the park, even without an admission ticket to Ghibli Park.
(2) Ghibli's Grand Warehouse
Taking advantage of the heated pool area that closed in 2018, this area can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of the weather.
This area includes exhibition and screening rooms, shops, a café, a playground for children to enjoy, and more. It's combined with a warehouse that houses many Studio Ghibli display items, so you're able to do tons of fun things here!
Inside Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, the nostalgic fusion of Japanese- and Western-style architecture will merge with recreations of the world view depicted in Studio Ghibli. It'll surely be an area that tickles the hearts of all Ghibli fans.
(3) Dondoko Forest
#MyNeighborTotoro
In addition to the existing Satsuki and Mei's House, visitors are able to enjoy a walk on the hill behind it.
A walking trail was opened in the forest hills behind Satsuki and Mei's House, which was built for the 2005 Aichi Expo.
Just like in the movie, this will be a space where children and adults alike can be carefree.
(4) Mononoke Village
#PrincessMononoke
This area neighbors the Aichi Village Lab space, known for its beautiful mountain village landscape, and was created to offer a look into the world of Princess Mononoke.
Mononoke Village opened on November 1, 2023 and portrays a mountain village you might see in the film Princess Mononoke.
One of the facilities—Tatara-ba—is modeled on Princess Mononoke's Iron Town and is hands-on, letting you grill your own gohei mochi—skewered rice cakes and a local cuisine of Aichi's and the surrounding prefectures' mountainous areas. Charcoal grill your own with your choice of special sauces: chestnut miso sauce, soy sauce, or a Neapolitan sauce!
Other sites to see in the area include the Demon Spirit Structure, a slide modeled on Lord Okkoto, and the Watchtower from Emishi Village for an unfettered and fun-filled perspective into the world of Princess Mononoke.
Note:
• Set tickets for Mononoke Village and Ghibli's Grand Warehouse are available November 1, 2023–February 12, 2024.
(5) Valley of Witches *Opens March, 2024
#KikisDeliveryService #HowlsMovingCastle
Valley of Witches will boast the largest size among all five areas, with concept following films that depict witches, such as Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle.
In a European-style environment, it will reproduce elements from Howl's Moving Castle and Kiki's Delivery Service, among others. Restaurants are also in the plans.
©Studio Ghibli
Nagakute-CityExpo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
(Expo Park, Moricoro Park)
Hop on the Linimo to Expo Park—you can only find it here!
Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, which houses Ghibli Park, was built on the site of the former Nagakute Area used during Expo 2005 Aichi. It has tons of facilities for both adults and children to enjoy, like wide grass spaces, a splash pad, a 5.1-km long cycling course, and a natural playground. You can get there by hopping on Japan's only maglev train, Linimo.
• If coming by the Higashiyama subway line, get off at Fujigaoka Station and change to the Tobu Kyuryo Line (Linimo). Get off at Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station, and it's right there.
• If coming by the Aichi Loop Railway, change to the Tobu Kyuryo Line (Linimo) at Yakusa Station, get off at Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station, and it's right there.
Nagakute-CityLinimo
- Take Japan's first maglev train (Linimo) and go out on the town. Once called the "vehicle of dreams," this maglev train runs while floating just off the ground.
- Go to the Overview >
"Play Along With The Wind", Studio Ghibli's first ever tourism promotion video!
As the first tourism video Studio Ghibli has been involved in, it showcases the charms of "Aichi, where Ghibli Park is."
Sighseeing spots around Ghibli Park
Here are several tourism spots you can easily get to from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. There are tons of places nearby that are fun for everyone, from children to adults. Take a look at our trip plans for reference!
Nagakute-CityToyota Automobile Museum
Real vehicles on display showcase the birth and progress of automobiles
This automobile museum opened on April 16, 1989, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Toyota Motor Corporation's founding. Their lineup of cars that were the talk of their times is a must-see for car enthusiasts, and children who love cars will also have a great time. There's also a shop, cafe, and restaurant, so you can take your time and relax there.
• About a 7-minute drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
• Take the Linimo from Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station to Geidai-dori Station (2 stops) and walk for about 2 minutes
Seto-CityAichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum (Exhibition Hall / Ceramic Craft Studio)
A ceramics museum with a substantial collection
One of Japan's leading ceramics museums, this facility showcases very valuable ceramic-related items! You're free to browse their valuable collection of about 8,000 ceramic works, including three Important Cultural Properties. Pieces range from older Japanese ceramics to Chinese, Korean, and Islamic ones, modern and contemporary ones, industrial ones, and more.
• About a 7-minute drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
• Take the Linimo from Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station to Tojishiryokan Minami Station (1 stop) and walk for about 13 minutes
Nearby popular sightseeing spots
Take Sanage Green Road for an easy drive to the most popular spots in Aichi Prefecture! It connects the urban areas of the prefecture to the ones filled with lush nature.
Also, you can drive straight along Prefectural Route 209 to get to the heart of Seto City—known for its Seto wares—in about 15 to 20 minutes. You can get around with public transit, too! From Yakusa Station on the Linimo, you can take the Seto Community Bus and get off at Seto Eki-mae (Station).
Aside from that, Nisshin City (next to Nagakute City, where Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park is located) is a great place for families. It's home to Aichi Farm, for example, which offers tons of different experiences.
Toyota CitySanage Onsen
A natural radon hot spring that comes recommended by doctors and is even drinkable
This is one of the prefecture's largest natural radon hot springs. The water here is called "medicinal hot water," and it's one of the few sources in the country that you can drink from. You can either do a day trip to this hot spring, or stay in the hotel here. It's also perfectly located right in the middle of Aichi Kogen Quasi-National Park, an area blessed with beautiful scenery that's been used to create 14 different Japanese gardens. Don't miss out on the illumination at night, which creates a gorgeous, fairy tale-like atmosphere.
• About a 15-min. drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park.
Toyota CityAsuke Townscape (Important Preservation District Townscape)
Perfect for a stroll: An old townscape with a warm, nostalgic feel
This old townscape still retains its original look, back from when it flourished as an inn town. Take a leisurely walk along Manrin Alley and other beautiful alleyways, and you'll feel enveloped by the nostalgic surroundings. The entire town comes together for lots of events that can be enjoyed along with the old townscape.
• About a 30-min. drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park.
Seto CitySeto-Gura Museum / Seto Mono Shop
Facilities housing many pieces of Seto ware—everything from popular to rare items
Seto-Gura is a tourist spot located in the heart of Seto City. You can visit the Seto-Gura Museum to learn all there is to know about Seto ware, and then head to the Seto Mono Shop on the first floor to buy Seto ware pieces at direct-sale prices.
• About a 15-min. drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park.
• Take the Linimo from Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station to Yakusa Station (2 stops), transfer to the Aichi Loop Railway, and then get off at Setoshi Station (3 stops). Get on the Seto Line at Shin-Seto Station (a 3-min. walk), get off at Owari Seto Station (2 stops), and walk for about 5 min.
Note:
• You can also take the Community Bus from Yakusa Station to Owari Seto Station.
Nisshin CityAichi Farm
A touristic dude ranch on the outskirts of Nagoya
This tourist farm near Nagoya with free admission is home to 130 dairy cows. They also offer fresh milk, ice cream, gelato, and other dairy products you can only find in a farm. Children over two years old can ride bridle-led ponies or thoroughbreds, and many visitors also love to try milking cows or have a barbecue in the designated gardens.
• About a 22-min. drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park.
• Take the Linimo from Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station to Yakusa Station (2 stops), transfer to the Aichi Loop Railway, and then get off at Shin-Toyota Station (6 stops). Get on the Meitetsu Toyota Line at Toyotashi Station (a 6-min. walk), get off at Kurozasa Station (5 stops), and walk for about 12 min.
Nisshin CityGoshiki Garden
A famous spot to see cherry blossoms! Shinran Shonin and Japan's four seasons
Spread out across over 661 km2 of land, this is Japan's only religious park. Statues representing historic spots related to Shinran Shonin can be found all throughout the park. The "go" in Goshiki means "five" in Japanese, and this park is named after five types of trees: pine, bamboo, plum, cherry blossom, and Japanese maple. During each of their respective seasons, the nature views here are a sight to behold. This park is also famous for cherry blossom viewing, with about 3,000 cherry blossom trees blooming here in early April.
• About a 15-min. drive from Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park.
• Take the Linimo from Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station to Nagakute Kosenjo Station (3 stops), transfer to the Goshikien Bus Route, get off at Goshikien Station (7 stops), and walk for about 11 min.
