[Complete Guide] The Charm and How to Enjoy the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka | Thorough Explanation from Ticket Reservations to Must-See Spots in the Museum
The “Ghibli Museum in Mitaka,” nestled within Inokashira Park in Mitaka City, Tokyo, is a one-of-a-kind museum where visitors can experience the world of Studio Ghibli. With involvement from Director Hayao Miyazaki himself in its design, this special space allows visitors to appreciate masterpiece animations such as “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” and “Princess Mononoke” through all five senses. Since its opening in October 2001, it has attracted numerous fans from across Japan and around the world.
In this article, we will provide detailed information on how to maximize your enjoyment of the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, from ticket reservation methods to hidden must-see spots within the museum.
What is the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka?
Overview and History of the Museum
The official name is “Mitaka City Animation Museum,” and it was born from the fusion of Mitaka City’s cultural facility concept and the museum vision of Studio Ghibli and Director Hayao Miyazaki. The museum consists of two above-ground floors and one basement level with a total floor area of approximately 3,500 square meters—a relatively small museum, but one with an unparalleled density of content.
The building, designed based on sketches drawn by Director Miyazaki, possesses a unique worldview as if one has wandered into a Ghibli work. With its extensive use of curves, organic design, colorful stained glass windows, and playful hidden elements throughout, the building itself becomes a work of art.
Museum Concept
The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka does not follow a predetermined route like a typical museum. The design allows each visitor to freely explore the museum and enjoy their own unique discoveries.
Director Hayao Miyazaki created this museum with the hope that “children will see mysterious things, touch them, and feel them.” A place where both adults and children, as visitors themselves, become the protagonists of a story and experience the world of animation—that is the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.
Ticket Reservation Methods and Entry System
About the Date and Time-Designated Reservation System
The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka adopts a date and time-designated reservation system to ensure all visitors can enjoy the experience comfortably. Tickets are not sold at the museum’s ticket counter, so advance reservations are absolutely necessary.
Admission times are divided into four sessions per day, with each session having a set capacity:
- First admission: 10:00
- Second admission: 12:00
- Third admission: 14:00
- Fourth admission: 16:00
You must enter within 30 minutes of your designated admission time, but once inside, you can stay freely until closing time.
How to Purchase Through Lawson Ticket
Regular tickets can be purchased through Lawson Ticket. Sales for the following month’s tickets begin at 10:00 AM on the 10th of each month (for example, sales for May tickets begin on April 10th).
Purchase methods are as follows:
- Internet Purchase: Available 24 hours through the Lawson Ticket official website or app
- In-Store Purchase: Purchase through Loppi machines at Lawson and Ministop stores nationwide
Due to high demand, especially on weekends, holidays, and during summer vacation, tickets often sell out shortly after sales begin. We recommend booking early if you have specific dates in mind.
Ticket Prices
- Adults and University Students: 1,000 yen
- High School and Junior High School Students: 700 yen
- Elementary School Students: 400 yen
- Young Children (ages 4 and up): 100 yen
- Under 4 years old: Free
Mitaka City and Neighboring Municipality Resident Ticket
There is a municipal resident ticket available for those who live, work, or study in Mitaka, Musashino, Koganei, Nishi-Tokyo, Chofu, and Fuchu cities. These are registered tickets, and an ID must be presented upon entry.
Municipal resident tickets tend to be easier to obtain than general sales, so if you are eligible, we recommend taking advantage of this option. Details can be confirmed on the Mitaka City official website.
Summer Vacation Advance Lottery Sales
During summer vacation (July and August), an advance lottery sales system may be implemented in addition to regular sales. This information is announced on the museum’s official website, so if you’re planning a summer visit, check regularly.
How to Access the Museum
Access by Train
Nearest Station: JR Chuo Line “Mitaka Station”
- From Shinjuku Station: About 20 minutes by JR Chuo Line rapid train
- From Tokyo Station: About 35 minutes by JR Chuo Line
Mitaka Station’s south exit is the nearest exit to the museum.
How to Get From Mitaka Station to the Museum
On Foot (About 15 minutes)
From Mitaka Station’s south exit, it takes about 15 minutes walking along the Tamagawa Josuigawa canal. Directional signs to the museum are posted along the canal, so you shouldn’t get lost.
Walking along the lush tree-lined pathway is part of the Ghibli Museum experience. Enjoy the changing seasons of nature as you walk the path that leads to the world of the story.
By Community Bus (About 5 minutes)
Taking the community bus from Mitaka Station’s south exit gets you there in about 5 minutes. The bus is decorated with characters like Totoro and the Cat Bus, which is popular among Ghibli fans.
- Fare: 320 yen for adults, 160 yen for children (round-trip tickets also available)
- Operating interval: About every 20 minutes
- Bus stop: “Ghibli Museum in Mitaka” – right next to the stop
The bus is convenient for families with small children, elderly visitors, or during rainy weather.
Driving and Parking Information
The museum has no dedicated parking lot. We strongly recommend using public transportation.
If you must drive, you’ll need to use paid parking lots around Mitaka Station or Inokashira Park, but heavy congestion is expected on weekends and holidays. For environmental considerations, we recommend visiting by train or bus.
Complete Guide to Museum Highlights
Entrance Hall
Upon entering the museum, your eyes are immediately drawn to the colorful stained glass. The light filtering through stained glass depicting characters from Ghibli works creates a fantastical atmosphere.
The admission ticket you receive at the entrance is actually made from 35mm film. Each ticket features one frame from a Ghibli work, and each visitor receives a different image. You can take this ticket home as a souvenir.
Image Exhibition Room “Dosei-za”
This is the small theater showing original short animations that can only be seen at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. With about 80 seats in this charming theater, you can watch approximately 15-minute short films.
The featured works rotate regularly. Examples of past screenings include:
- “Whale Hunting”
- “Koro’s Big Walk”
- “Mei and the Kitten Bus”
- “House Hunting”
- “The Day I Bought a Star”
- “Water Spider Mon-mon”
- “Bread Starter and Egg Princess”
- “Cockroach Sumo”
These works are not commercially available and can only be seen at the museum. Check the official website for screening schedules.
Permanent Exhibition Room “The Room Where Movement Begins”
This exhibition room allows visitors to experience the principles and mechanisms of animation. The large zoetrope (spinning picture viewer) display features Totoro and the Cat Bus characters that actually appear to move, making it a popular spot with children.
This is a valuable space where visitors can learn the basic principles of animation—how continuous still images create the illusion of movement—through hands-on experience.
Planning Exhibition Room
This exhibition room showcases the behind-the-scenes process of animation production. The recreated production environment displays various materials used in animation production, including storyboards, original drawings, and background paintings.
There’s also a corner recreating Director Miyazaki’s work room, giving glimpses into a creator’s working environment. Since the planning exhibitions rotate periodically, there are always new discoveries to be made with each visit.
Library Reading Room “Tri-hawks”
A reading room featuring picture books and children’s books carefully selected by Museum Director Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum. It was established as “a place where children have the opportunity to pick up books and read.”
High-quality picture books from Japan and around the world are displayed, all of which are enjoyable even for adults. You can immerse yourself in the world of books in the cozy reading space by the window.
Rooftop Garden and Robot Soldier
The museum’s rooftop features a lush garden. Standing there is a giant Robot Soldier statue from the film “Castle in the Sky.”
About 5 meters tall and covered in moss, the Robot Soldier stands quietly, as if it had truly descended from Laputa. The rooftop overlooks the green expanse of Inokashira Park, and it’s the only area inside the museum where photography is allowed (though remember to be considerate of other visitors when taking pictures with the Robot Soldier).
Cat Bus Room (Exclusive to Children Under Elementary School Age)
A special space exclusively for children in elementary school or younger. You can actually get inside the Cat Bus from “My Neighbor Totoro” and play.
Children can board the soft Cat Bus, bounce around inside, and have their dreams come true. Adults cannot enter, but can watch from outside.
Enjoy Ghibli Cuisine at Cafe “麦わらぼうし”
Atmosphere of the Cafe
Cafe “Mugiwara-boushi” on the first floor of the museum is a warm, inviting space that seems like it could be from a Ghibli work. The wooden interior and window seats overlooking the green of Inokashira Park are popular.
Menu
The cafe serves menu items inspired by the works, as well as light meals and desserts made with carefully selected ingredients.
Popular menu items include:
- Hot Dogs: Simple, delicious hot dogs that could appear in a Ghibli work
- Beer and Sausage: A set for adults
- Cake Set: Original cakes that change with the seasons
- Ghibli Special Drinks: Various original soft drinks
In particular, the desserts that represent the worldview of the works are so cute in appearance that you’d want to photograph them (though photography is prohibited inside the museum).
Tips for Using the Cafe
The cafe is often crowded, so we recommend allowing plenty of time for a visit. Lunchtime (around 12:00–14:00) is peak crowding.
Try arriving at the first admission time and getting food before viewing exhibits, or aim for the time near closing when it’s relatively quieter.
Museum Shop “Mamma Yuto”
Limited-Edition Goods Available Only Here
The museum shop “Mamma Yuto” on the first floor carries an abundant selection of original merchandise available exclusively at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.
Popular items include:
- Plushies: Totoro, Soot Sprites, the Cat Bus, and more
- Stationery: Notebooks, pens, washi tape, and more
- Accessories: Keychains, badges, pins, and more
- Food: Cookies, candy, and other confections
- Books: Museum-original picture books and catalogs
- Miscellaneous Goods: Tote bags, towels, dishware, and more
In particular, goods featuring the admission ticket film motif and museum-exclusive designs are extremely popular and sometimes sell out.
Online Shop Opening
Previously, merchandise could only be purchased at the museum, but now an official online shop has been established, allowing some products to be purchased online. However, many museum-exclusive items are still available only in-person, so be sure to visit the shop during your visit.
Tips for Souvenir Shopping
The shop gets crowded as closing time approaches, so we recommend visiting early after admission or visiting late after finishing the exhibits with plenty of time to spare.
Popular items may have limited stock, so if you find something you like, purchase it early.
Important Rules and Etiquette for Enjoying the Museum
Photography and Video Recording Prohibited
Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited throughout the museum. This is based on the museum’s philosophy of encouraging visitors to see and feel the space with their own eyes and body rather than through a camera lens.
Keep your smartphone and camera in your bag and experience the museum with all five senses. The only exception is the rooftop garden area with the Robot Soldier, where photography is permitted.
Re-entry
Once you exit, re-entry is not permitted. Plan to use the cafe and shop before you leave the museum after seeing everything.
Baggage
Large luggage and suitcases can be stored in coin lockers near the entrance. We recommend depositing large bags before entering to move around the museum comfortably.
For Those With Children
Strollers must be left at the entrance. The museum has many stairs, so bringing a baby carrier is recommended. Nursing rooms and diaper-changing facilities are also available.
Museum Calendar and Closed Days
Regular Closed Days
The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is closed every Tuesday. However, if Tuesday is a national holiday, the museum opens and closes the following day instead.
Maintenance Closures
The museum has several extended closure periods annually for maintenance. Check the “Museum Calendar” on the official website when planning your visit.
Operating Hours
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (admission is on four designated time slots)
- Final admission: 4:00 PM
Clothing and What to Bring
Recommended Attire
- Comfortable Shoes: The museum has many stairs, and if walking along the Tamagawa Josuigawa canal, sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Easy-to-Move-In Clothing: Since you may need to crouch to view exhibits and move around with children, easy-to-move-in clothes are appropriate
- Season-Appropriate Gear: Don’t forget sun protection in summer and warm clothing in winter
Packing Checklist
- Admission ticket (reservation number if purchased through Lawson Ticket)
- ID (mandatory if using a municipal resident ticket)
- Beverage (while the museum has vending machines, bringing your own is convenient)
- Eco-bag (for purchases at the shop)
- Baby carrier (if traveling with small children)
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Inokashira Park
Inokashira Park, where the museum is located, is one of Tokyo’s most nature-rich parks. You can enjoy boating on the pond, seasonal flowers, and a zoo. It’s recommended to take a stroll before or after your museum visit.
Kichijoji
Kichijoji, the next station from Mitaka on the JR Chuo Line, is a popular area that consistently ranks high on “neighborhoods you want to live in” rankings. With many unique shops, cafes, and restaurants, you can enjoy a full day combining a museum visit with exploring the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are same-day tickets available?
A: The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka does not sell same-day tickets at all. All admission is by advance reservation only, so you must book through Lawson Ticket or the municipal resident ticket program in advance.
Q: How long does a visit typically take?
A: It varies by individual, but most people spend 2–3 hours. Those wanting a thorough experience might stay 3 hours or longer. We recommend planning an itinerary with extra time, accounting for cafe meals and shopping time.
Q: Can small children enjoy it?
A: Yes, there are exhibitions and experience corners designed for young children. The Cat Bus Room, in particular, is exclusive to children under elementary school age and is extremely popular. However, since the museum has many stairs, we recommend bringing a baby carrier.
Q: I want to bring a foreign friend. Are there English guides?
A: Multilingual information pamphlets, including English, are available throughout the museum. The official website also has an English version to accommodate international visitors.
Q: Can you enjoy it on rainy days?
A: Yes, since the main attractions are indoor exhibitions, it’s enjoyable even in rain. You’ll need rain gear to view the Robot Soldier on the rooftop. We recommend using the community bus from Mitaka Station.
Q: Is wheelchair entry possible?
A: Yes, it is possible. An elevator is installed, and barrier-free accommodations are in place. However, some areas are staircase-only, so we recommend contacting the museum in advance.
Conclusion: Have a Special Experience at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka
The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is not just a display facility but a special space where each visitor becomes the protagonist of a story and can go on an adventure. With Director Hayao Miyazaki’s hope that “children will see mysterious things, touch them, and feel them,” this museum is a place that both adults and children can truly enjoy.
Purchase your date and time-designated reservation tickets early and plan to arrive with plenty of time on the day of your visit. The world of Ghibli experienced with your own eyes and heart, rather than through a camera, will surely become an unforgettable memory.
Take a walk along the verdant Tamagawa Josuigawa canal and spend a day touching the magic of animation in a museum surrounded by Musashino forest.
Official Website: https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/
Ticket Reservations: Lawson Ticket (Sales for the following month begin at 10:00 AM on the 10th of each month)
Find your own special story at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.
