Dedicated to the much-loved films of Japan’s most famous and successful animation company, Studio Ghibli, this is one of Japan’s most popular museums. Located in the Mitaka district in western Tokyo, tickets to the museum are in high-demand and can only be purchased online and in advance. We recommend setting alarms to remind you when to purchase tickets as they go on sale in batches every few months, and sell out almost instantly.

Visitor numbers are tightly controlled and tickets are issued with a specific date and time they can be used. The museum is also strict on photography and no photos are allowed inside the museum, you can take a photo of the exterior however.

If you are lucky enough to snare a ticket, the museum is a must-see destination for fans of Studio Ghibli and highly enjoyable for any visitor with even the slightest interest in Japan’s rich history of film and animation. Founded by legendary director Hayao Miyazaki, the museum features a children’s, technical arts, and fine arts exhibitions demonstrating the film-making process and making the museum fun for guests of all ages.

It is truly a magical space for fans, with even the architecture of the museum being inspired by the Ghibli films. The building is designed to look like a European style building with beautiful stained glass windows. The layout is almost maze like, making exploring the museum fun! Visitors can enjoy permanent exhibitions, short films and interactive exhibits that provide amazing photo opportunities. The museum also has its own shop and cafe selling limited edition goods found only at the museum and serves food inspired by the Ghibli films!

Great fun but also highly-informative about the film-making process, make sure to plan well ahead to get your hands on a ticket – and for true fan’s Ghibli, it’s time to get excited with ‘Ghibli Park’ set to open in Aichi Prefecture in 2023, and as of 2024 the new park has enjoyed new attractions being opened for you to enjoy!