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Park Profile
Spirited away S
tudio Ghibli, the legendary Japanese animation studio, is famed for its portfolio of enchanting stories brought to life
through high quality filmmaking and artistry. The captivating films of Studio Ghibli are loved by children and adults alike, taking viewers on immersive journeys through magical worlds which perfectly balance fantasy and realism. Ghibli Park - which opened in November 2022 and is located in Nagakute, Aichi, Japan - aims to replicate these journeys. Visitors are invited to “Take a stroll, feel the wind, and discover the wonders.” And those wonders aren’t found in big rides or attractions, for there are none of those in Ghibli Park. This is a theme park which puts the emphasis on theming, not thrills. From forest spirits to teenage witches and giant
Totoros, Ghibli Park is designed to bring the on-screen world of Studio Ghibli to life, replicating the sense of wonders viewers feel when they watch these stunning animated films. This is a park where fans of Studio Ghibli can immerse themselves in the
APRIL 2023
Ghibli aesthetic and visit attractions based on the locations and characters of Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, and more. The real-life theme park is located in Japan's
Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park in the city of Nagakute, and currently features three main constructions, including Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, the Hill of Youth, and Dondoko Forest. There are no towering drops, high-speed roller coasters, thundering water rides or princesses waving from parade floats - in comparison to the fanfare of the world’s biggest parks, like those run by Disney or Universal Studios, it may not seem like much of a grand event, but Ghibli Park signals a quiet departure for the 37-year-old studio. Ghibli's Grand Warehouse - inspired in part
by Spirited Away - is an indoor attraction that "stores all of the studio's secrets, from large to small artefacts and exhibits from past Studio Ghibli movies." Inside, visitors can experience exhibitions such as the Robot Soldier and the Cat Bus, and learn about the making of the Ghibli movies.
Park World explores the exquisite world of Studio Ghibli, brought to life through Ghibli Park which opened last year in Japan
Visitors can insert themselves into scenes from 13 Ghibli works, sitting on the “Spirited Away” train to Zeniba’s house, running across waves with Ponyo or standing under the head of a decapitated Forest Spirit from “Princess Mononoke.” It’s not difficult to imagine people travelling from all over Japan just for a selfie with No Face. Meanwhile, the Hill of Youth is located at the
park’s entrance. It houses the World Emporium, the antique shop from Whisper of the Heart, filled with old clocks and delicate-looking violins. The Hill of Youth is themed to the film Howl’s Moving Castle, complete with a giant elevator offering views from above, and visitors will also find elements from The Cat Returns. Next, visitors can venture outside to the
Dondoko Forest, which of the three main constructions perhaps feels the closest to being a physical manifestation of Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki’s approach. It’s a 20-minute walk from the main site, and the atmosphere becomes more peaceful along the route.
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