Studio Ghibli’s animated features are loved the world over, with classic titles such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totori and Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Plans for a Ghibli theme park are now in place and it is scheduled to open in Aichi Prefecture in 2022. The exact location will be Ai-Chikyu Haku Kinen Koen, also known as Moricoro Park, which is where the Expo 2005 World’s Fair took place.
Let’s take a little look at some of the park’s areas that are currently under construction.
Seishun no Oka Area
The ‘Hill of Youth Area.’ Right at the entrance is the main gate’s elevator tower, which is being established as a landmark. It takes inspiration from Howl’s Moving Castle, incorporating a design based on late-19th century sci-fi elements. It plans to be a symbolic structure of the main gate.
Next to the elevator tower will be the antique shop as seen in Whisper of the Heart.
Ghibli no Daisouko Area
The ‘Ghibli’s Great Storehouse Area.’ The warm water pool currently being managed at Moricoro Park will close in September 2018 and undergo renovation to be turned into the new Ghibli storehouse area. This area will be a collection of storehouses littered with lots of exciting Studio Ghibli displays.
Everything here will be indoors, so it won’t be affected by the weather, allowing people to enjoy their time seeing all there is to see. Lots of planned for this area including item exhibition rooms, video exhibition rooms, a play area for children, and more.
Mononoke no Sato Area
The ‘Mononoke Village Area.’ To harmonize with the Japanese landscape, places like the Aichi Satorabo fields at Moricoro Park will take inspiration from the international sensation Princess Mononoke, with the construction of the Tatara factory and more. There will also be art displays of the Tatari Gami demon, Lord Okkoto boar god and others from the film. The entire area will be turned into a Princess Mononoke village.
Majo no Tani Area
The ‘Witch Valley Area.’ This area will take on the theme of two films imbued with magic: Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Expect to see Howl’s Castle and a play area based on Kiki’s house amongst other attractions.
The colourful streetscape will be as if you’ve been sucked right into the films themselves!
Dondoko Mori Area
The ‘Dondoko Forest Area’ is Totoro themed. Satsuki and Mei’s house is already built here. A reception area will be built and the path in the forest behind the mountain will be renovated to enhance the surrounding area of the house even more.
The area’s name comes from the ‘dondoko dance’ that Satsuki and Mei do with Totoro to make the seeds they planed grow even quicker.
We can hardly wait for the opening of the official Studio Ghibli theme park in 2022!
Ghibli Park
Access: From Nagoya Station ride the subway for approximately 30 minutes to the last stop which is Fujigaoka Station. From there, ride the Linimo for approximately 15 minutes and get off at Ai-Chikyu Haku Kinen Koen Station.
Studio Ghibli Homepage：www.ghibli.jp/
RELATED ENTRIES
-
HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE, a Collaboration Between Hot Topic & Studio Ghibli, Gets Pop-Up Store at Shinsaibashi PARCO
Last year, the HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE collaboration appeared at AF Gallery in Harajuku from August 10 until August 28, garnering massive acclaim from fans. The collection is now being sold at Shinsaibashi PARCO until March 12, 2023.
HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE is a Studio Ghibli-inspired apparel collection by the popular American counterculture chain Hot Topic. Bringing more Japanese culture to the ongoing Studio Ghibli collaboration launched in 2014, Hot Topic stores began selling original items produced by nine Japanese creators and brands, as well as some original American items produced by Hot Topic’s executive designers.
The lineup of Japan-original items includes T-shirts, tote bags, and other items featuring exclusive artwork by up-and-coming creators. These items depict beloved characters from Studio Ghibli’s works, as well as logos created for the collaboration. Fans won’t want to miss grabbing these unique items!
Details on the Previous HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE Pop-Up Store: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/ja/625747
Information
HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE
Running: February 23 – March 12, 2023
Hours: 10:00-20:00
Venue: Shinsaibashi PARCO B1F Pop-Up Space (1-8-3 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka)
Official Site: https://ghibli-harajukucollective-ec.com
Online Store (Open until March 31, 2023): https://ec.ghibli-harajukucollective-ec.com
HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE Official SNS:
Instagram: @harajuku_collective
(https://www.instagram.com/harajuku_collective）
Twitter: @harajuku_collect (https://twitter.com/harajukucollect)
-
Ghibli Park Phase 1 will open to the public on November 1 in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture at Moricoro Park within the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. Ahead of the exciting day, fans are getting their first glimpse at the Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse area! For those looking to immerse themselves in the world of Ghibli, look no further. Phase 1 will see the opening of a theater, a shop, a cafe, and three unique exhibits.
Cinema Orion
The theater will screen ten short films that were previously only available to watch at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo.Trio of Special Exhibitions
The Famous Scenes Exhibition will invite guests to pretend to be a character in their favorite Ghibli films, stepping directly into recreated scenes. In addition, due to how often fans claim that food in Ghibli films looks exceptionally tasty, a special exhibition from the Ghibli Museum is also coming to Ghibli Park featuring these delectable-looking treats.The on-site store and cafe will also be selling original products only available at the park. A new trailer has been released for the park as well, showing what fans can look forward to in November. Tickets for Ghibli Park will go on sale on the 10th of each month and are reservation-only, with a date and time assigned for each area. Lottery sales for December admission will run from September 10 until September 21 at 23:59. © Studio Ghibli Information
Ghibli Park
Phase 1 Opening: November 1, 2022
Address: Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (1533 Ibaragabasama, Nagakute, Aichi)
Official Website: https://ghibli-park.jp/
-
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu inspired music lovers around the world in April when she performed at Coachella, one of the largest music festivals on Earth. The second half of the singer’s 10th anniversary nationwide tour 31-show has begun, gaining even more momentum following the announcement of a solo concert at Nippon Budokan in October. In conjunction with the nationwide tour, the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project was launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities. As with past concert locations, a new collaboration has been announced ahead of Kyary’s June 19 performance in Aichi Prefecture.
Since its opening in 1916, Myokoen has been providing high-quality tea leaves to tea lovers around Japan. The store is known for its hojicha, or roasted green tea, which is made by roasting the leaves over a gentle flame. With a particular focus on aroma, taste, and color, this secret blend of tea leaves is selected by tea masters from all over the country. Kyary’s collaboration with Myokoen draws inspiration from the singer’s 6th single Invader Invader (2013), in which a fashionable alien played by Kyary seeks to take over the world. The tea shop’s logo has been transformed with a bit of pop flare. Myokoen (Aichi Prefecture) x LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project 'Invader Hojicha': ¥1,200 (Tax Included)
The special product released for the new collaboration is the Myokoen and LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project Invader Hojicha. The recipe for the tea has remained unchanged for over six decades and this blend focuses on the golden color of fresh green tea after it has been roasted. This release features new packaging, and those interested can purchase a package at all Myokoen shops and on the company’s online store. Limited quantities will also be sold at the Aichi Prefectural Art Theater’s Main Hall starting at 2:00 on June 19, 2022.Myokoen (Aichi Prefecture) x LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project T-shirt: ¥3,300 (Tax Included)
A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. The shirt is available on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website for two weeks only!Information
Myokoen (Aichi Prefecture) x LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project ‘Invader Hojicha’
Running: June 13 – July 31, 2022 *While supplies last.
Where to Buy: Myokoen Stores, Myokoen Online Shop
Online Shop: https://www.myokoen-shop.com
Myokoen (Aichi Prefecture) x LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project T-Shirt
LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project Online Shop:
https://store-localpowerjapan.com/ -
Toyokawa Inari in Aichi Prefecture will be taken over by NAKED projection mapping and events with a spring theme from March 22 until April 3, 2022.
NAKED Tsukubai - Spring Ver.
NAKED Distanced Lanterns - Spring Ver.
Projection-Mapping 'Sakura Pilgrimage' *Spring Exclusive
'Sando Illumination - Rim of Light' Spring Ver.
NAKED Flower Fortune Telling - Spring Ver.
The Tokyokawa Inari x NAKED YORU MO-DE is being transformed as spring approaches, and popular NAKED attractions are being reimagined with cherry blossoms in mind. The popular NAKED Tsukubai, in which guests have their hands purified with art, will show cherry blossoms blooming. The NAKED Distanced Lanterns, made to encourage social distancing, will also feature a sakura theme. Visitors can also participate in Flower Fortune Telling, which has been very popular across social media. Why not come see the temple illuminated with cherry blossoms?Information
Toyokawa Inari x NAKED YORU MO-DE
Locataion: Toyokawa Inari
Running: March 22 – April 3, 2022
Tickets:
Ticket Pia: https://w.pia.jp/t/toyokawa-yorumo-de/
Supporters Club: https://yorumo-de.com/ticket
Official Site: https://event.naked.works/yoru-mo-de/ -
Okazaki Castle in Aichi Prefecture is one of the most beloved historical spots in Japan. The fourth-largest castle in the country and the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the spot was illuminated by an impressive projection mapping event in early January. Now, thanks to a new video of the show, people around the world can experience it for themselves! During the event, incredible images of the city’s cultural assets and artworks were shone on the gate, including those by Reizi Tamechika. The region’s popular Mikawa Fireworks made appearances as well, along with more modern digital art. The 16.4-meter wide and 11-meter high gate to the castle was also covered in brilliant lights! Video Recording of Event
In 1959, Okazaki Castle’s tower was reconstructed, and in 2006, the location was selected as one of the 100 best castles in Japan. Each floor inside the castle has a different theme, and the location’s history is introduced through a collection of exhibits and a diorama theater. Guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the observation room on the 5th floor The creators of the event hope that visitors and viewers from around the world can experience Japanese culture, art, and tradition through digital entertainment. Information
Okazaki Castle Main Gate Projection Mapping
Dates: January 8 – January 10
Address: Okazaki Castle in Okazaki Park (561-1 Kosei-cho, Okazaki City)
Official Site: https://www.hitohata.jp
-
The Aichi Prefectural Government announced that part of the Studio Ghibli theme park will open on November 1 in the city of Nagakute. During the announcement, the first video and key visual of the park was released, both created by Studio Ghibli. The tourism video highlights the appeal of Aichi Prefecture and features local tourist spots, encouraging those visiting the theme park to also spend some time touring the prefecture.
Three areas of the Ghibli Park will open on November 1 of this year: Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, the Hill of Youth, and Dondoko Forest. Two additional areas–Mononoke’s Village and the Valley of the Witches–are scheduled to open in November 2023. Ghibli no Daisoko (Ghibli's Grand Warehouse)
Three times the size of the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse will be an indoor area featuring shops, restaurants, ongoing exhibitions, and a small theater. An interactive area featuring oversized objects will allow visitors to feel as though they’ve stepped into Arrietty’s world, while another part of the space will recreate the sky garden from Laputa: Castle in the Sky. The Warehouse will also have a My Neighbor Totoro-inspired playground complete with Catbus.Seishun no Oka (Hill of Youth)
Serving as the entrance to the park, the Hill of Youth features a yellow observation tower which will double as the main gate. The area will showcase the antique shop from Whisper of the Heart, featuring curiosities from films like Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Howl’s Moving Castle. The Hill of Youth will also feature a mini version of the Cat Bureau from the movie The Cat Returns.Dondoko Mori (Dondoko Forest)
Dondoko Forest will feature Satsuki and Mei’s house from My Neighbor Totoro. A completely immersive experience, guests will notice that much of the local nature is intact–Miyazaki himself asked that no trees were to be cut down in the building of the park. Which Ghibli film would you like to see brought to life at Ghibli Park? © Studio GhibliInformation
Ghibli Park
Opening Date: November 1, 2022