The first Ghibli Park in Japan—and in the world—opened on November 1, 2022, within Aichi Expo Memorial Park in Nagakute City.
The most popular feature in Aichi Expo Memorial Park, especially among children, is Satsuki and Mei’s House from the Studio Ghibli animation My Neighbor Totoro. In addition to attracting Ghibli lovers from all over the country, from fall 2022 the park transitioned into a Studio Ghibli Park and was divided into five areas.
Three areas opened prior to fall 2022—Youth Hill (青春の丘), Ghibli Large Warehouse Area (ジブリの大倉庫), and Dondoko Forest (どんどこ森). Two additional areas appeared in 2023: Witch Valley (魔女の谷) and Mononoke’s Village (もののけの里).
In keeping with the ecological theme of Aichi Expo Memorial Park, Studio Ghibli Park did not cut down any of the existing trees, and instead built the park around them. The aim is to set an example as an environmentally responsible theme park in harmony with nature.
Park Information
- Style: Studio Ghibli Fairytale Style
- Address: 1533-1 Ibaragabasama, Nagakute, Aichi , Japan
- Telephone:
- Open Day: 1, November 2022
Youth Hill (青春の丘)
The Elevator Building serves as a symbol of the main gate and incorporates late-19th-century steampunk elements found in Ghibli films such as Howl’s Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城). The height differences of the slopes in the Elevator Building area are used to create Chikyū-ya (地球屋) from Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば).
Ghibli Large Warehouse Area (ジブリの大倉庫)
The Ghibli Large Warehouse Area includes an exhibition room, a video exhibition room, a children’s playground, and a warehouse, and houses many Ghibli exhibits.
Dondoko Forest (どんどこ森)
To recreate scenes from My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ), the area around Satsuki and Mei’s House has been further developed, including the forest on the hill behind it.
Mononoke’s Village (もののけの里)
Aichi Satolab’s fields are being redeveloped into Mononoke’s Village, inspired by the scenery from Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫). In the area, an object inspired by the Demons (タタリ神) and the Boar God (乙事主) from the film is planned.
Witch Valley (魔女の谷)
The unused large grass field is being used for Witch Valley. The castle from Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s family home from Kiki’s Delivery Service, along with children’s play facilities, will be provided.
Satsuki and Mei’s House
Aichi Expo Memorial Park’s most popular spot is Satsuki and Mei’s House. The building is modeled after the Kusakabe family home (草壁家) in the Ghibli animated film Tonari no Totoro and is typical of homes from the 30th year of Shōwa. The home combines the beauty of both Japanese and Western architecture.
The bungalow faithfully recreates the feel of the animation and makes you feel, just for a moment, that Satsuki and Mei will come walking out of the room.
Satsuki and Mei’s House is open from 10:00 to 16:30 (9:30 to 16:30 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). The visiting time is 30 minutes, and up to 50 people may enter at a time. Tickets must be purchased before your visit. 15 minutes before the tour starts, participants gather in a white tent and listen to an explanation by staff.
Aichi Expo Memorial Park
Aichi Expo Memorial Park is an urban park in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture. The park was built on the site of the 2005 Ai-chikyūhaku (Love Earth Fair) Expo. It covers an area of 1.85 square kilometers (460 acres) and is Aichi’s largest park.
Inside the park, a free bus service is provided. The park has many cultural, sports, and leisure facilities that the whole family can enjoy.
Social Media
Ghibli Park
- Website: https://ghibli-park.jp/en/
Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park
- Website: https://www.aichi-koen.com/moricoro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moricoropark/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/moricoro_park
