How to Get Tickets to Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum
The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo is a museum dedicated to the works of the famous Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli. The museum is located in western Tokyo, close to the edge of Inokashira Park. It was designed by the studio's co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki, and opened in October 2001. We’ve always enjoyed watching anything coming out from Studio Ghibli and favourites include Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. That’s why we felt it worth taking a look inside the magic of Studio Ghibli and this world that is often called the ‘Disney of Japan’.
The museum features exhibits showcasing the various stages of animation production, including storyboarding, character design, and background art. It also houses a theater where visitors can watch short films that are exclusive to the museum. When you enter, you walk through a maze of corridors showcasing various exhibits until you reach one of the most popular attractions at the museum: a life-sized replica of the Catbus from the Studio Ghibli film "My Neighbor Totoro." Visitors can climb inside the bus and explore its interior. Photography inside the museum is not allowed but we snuck one photo of the cat bus:
The museum also has a rooftop garden, a bookstore, a gift shop, and a cafe where visitors can enjoy Ghibli-themed treats such as Totoro-shaped cream puffs. Even if you are not a huge follower of Miyazaki’s films, the museum is a delight to visit and gives you a greater appreciation of how these films are painstakingly made.
How to Get Tickets
It's important to note that you must purchase tickets in advance to enter the museum, as tickets are not sold at the door. Tickets often sell out quick and buying them is not the most straightforward experience. Tickets can be purchased on the official website or at a Lawson’s (Japanese convenience store). Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. (JST) on the 10th of each month for the following month and are good only for the specified date and entry time that you choose.
How to Get to Ghilbli Museum
The Ghibli Museum is located in Mitaka, a western suburb of Tokyo, Japan. Here are the steps to get there:
Take the JR Chuo Line to Mitaka Station. From Tokyo Station, take the JR Chuo Line (Rapid) for approximately 20-30 minutes. You can also take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station, which takes approximately 15 minutes.
Once you arrive at Mitaka Station, take the South Exit and follow the signs to the Ghibli Museum. The museum is about a 15-minute walk from the station.
Alternatively, you can take the shuttle bus from Mitaka Station to the museum. The bus departs from the South Exit and costs 320 yen for adults and 160 yen for children.
Tip: Before we arrived at the museum, we took a lovely stroll through the nearby Inokashira Park and enjoyed a beautiful winter’s day walk. If you have time, we highly recommend checking out the park!
