Editorial Team’s Choice: Must-See Highlights and Fun at Ghibli Park

There are two main ways to access Ghibli Park from Nagoya Station: by train or by highway express bus.
The advantage of the highway express bus is that you can travel while seated, but it has fewer departures (about one per hour, with the last bus at 1 p.m.) and you cannot board if the bus is full. Although you can purchase tickets in advance using the Boo-Woo Ticket mentioned above, seating is not guaranteed, as it’s not a reservation system.
The train is recommended for those who want to save on fare or need more flexibility with their schedule.

Access from Tokyo to Ghibli Park is as follows. Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station is the quickest route.

Access from Osaka to Ghibli Park is as follows. Taking the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Nagoya Station is the quickest route.

Screening Room Cinema Orion is a screening room where you can watch a short animated film (around 15 minutes long) that was previously only available at the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, and produced by Studio Ghibli. The room has about 170 seats, and the film shown is selected from a lineup of 10 different works. The schedule changes irregularly and is announced on the official website and social media. The admission ticket you receive at the entrance of Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse is also a delightful keepsake.

The café “Transcontinental Flight Café,” features a distinctive exterior resembling an airplane wing. The café has a line-up of sandwiches and pizza, etc. that you can eat with one-hand; perfect for a long-distance pilot who needs the other hand to steer. In addition to coffee-based drinks, they also serve alcoholic beverages like beer and wine, allowing for a leisurely meal. The interior is filled with hidden playful elements, such as a world map above the counter and a restroom designed to resemble an airplane cabin, providing plenty of enjoyment beyond just the food.
The recommended menu item is the classic BLT sandwich, which pairs well with coffee and is quite satisfying. Each sandwich comes with an original flag, drawn by director Hayao Miyazaki, with 12 different designs available at random—so be sure to check it out!

Milk Stand Siberi❅An is a kiosk-style shop where you can enjoy Siberia, a treat featured in The Wind Rises—a confection with sweet red bean paste sandwiched between castella cake. You can choose between two types of Siberia: smooth koshi-an (strained red bean paste) or chunky tsubu-an (whole red bean paste). Both options have a perfectly balanced sweetness that makes them delicious. The stand also offers locally produced Tokoname milk, which comes in a bottle with an original cat design, adding a nostalgic charm. You can’t take the bottle home, so it’s a good idea to snap a photo before drinking it as a keepsake.

The Cat Bureau, as the name suggests, is a building inspired by the office from The Cat Returns, scaled to the actual size of a cat. Although it's cat-sized, it is a meticulously crafted wooden structure, built with the same care and attention to detail as a real building, from assembly to finishing. The interior is miniaturized, featuring details like Baron's girlfriend's portrait, a kitchen cabinet, and a pendulum clock. Peek through the windows to catch a glimpse of Baron and Muta relaxing comfortably inside.

The World Emporium is the antique shop featured in Whisper of the Heart. You can actually visit “Chikyu-ya (World Emporium),” the shop that the protagonist, Shizuku Tsukishima, stumbles upon by chance in the movie. The second floor, where the viewing begins, is filled with intricate clocks, dolls, and various items, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of the film.
On the first floor, there's a violin workshop where you can experience firsthand the environment where Seiji Amasawa learns to craft violins. Stepping out onto the balcony that extends through the indoor space, you'll be able to enjoy the expansive and open views of Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park's flower fields and large lawn area.

Elevator Tower near the entrance is a symbolic feature of the park, inviting visitors into the world of Ghibli. It was designed based on the imaginative late 19-century sci-fi architecture depicted in Castle in the Sky and Howl's Moving Castle. Its impressive design makes it a captivating landmark that's perfect for photography.
The top of the Elevator Tower features an observation space offering panoramic views of Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. It’s accessible without a ticket.

Dondoko-do is a wooden play structure about 5 meters high, located at the top of the hill behind Satsuki and Mei’s House. Following a trail marked by acorns, you'll find a Totoro-shaped play structure. Nearby, the Dondoko-go, a slope car modeled after Nagoya’s former streetcars, connects the hilltop with the base. Its nostalgic charm makes it worth seeing in person.

The centerpiece of the Dondoko Forest area is Satsuki and Mei’s House, the home of the Kusakabe family. Originally built as an exhibit for Ai Chikyuhaku in 2005 (EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN), it was renovated and reopened in 2022. This spot is particularly popular within Ghibli Park and is a must-visit for My Neighbor Totoro fans.
The design of this house, which blends Japanese and Western styles, is from the mid-1930s to the mid-1940s. Every detail, from the kitchen and bathroom to the various rooms, is meticulously crafted. It’s as if you’re stepping directly into the scenes from the film, and you might even imagine hearing the voices of the sisters or the sounds of the Dust Bunnies.

Dondoko-dokoro is a shop located near the entrance to the Dondoko Forest area. Here, you can purchase original merchandise and souvenirs, as well as enjoy drinks like ramune (a carbonated soft drink) and paper boxed beverages. Restrooms and vending machines are located near the shop. It’s in a free-access area, so you don’t need a ticket to visit it.
The shop offers drinks, candies, umbrellas and other items that are suitable to take for a walk. It’s a great spot for souvenirs, so be sure to stop by.

At the hands-on facility Tatara-ba, you can try grilling gohei-mochi, a traditional dish from Aichi Prefecture (Chubu region). Gohei-mochi is made by partially grinding rice and grilling it on a skewer over charcoal. This experience is available for individuals aged 10 and older. You'll pay a participation fee of 1,200 yen at the entrance, after which you’ll grill your own gohei-mochi over a charcoal fire.
Staff members will guide you on how to make the gohei-mochi and offer tips, so even those who are unsure can feel at ease. At the end of the process, you’ll coat your gohei-mochi with one of four sauces—kurumi (walnut) miso, soy sauce, Napolitan sauce (ketchup base), or curry. The freshly grilled gohei-mochi is aromatic, with crispy, charred bits that enhance the flavor. It’s hearty and satisfying, sure to leave you both full and content.

Mononoke Village Rest Stop was created by relocating and repurposing an office building for the EXPO 2005 AICHI next to Satsuki and Mei's House. The shop features a distinctive roof designed with stone to blend seamlessly with the area's ambiance. It offers unique products inspired by Mononoke Village, along with drinks to help visitors relax and refresh.
We recommend the beef jerky and the mascots of the Demon Spirit and Lord Okkoto.

The Demon Spirit, inspired by the Demon Spirit from Princess Mononoke, is a massive and impressive sculpture. Its design is sure to astonish children, and taking a photo with it will result in a striking and memorable image.
The Demon Spirit features a variety of colorful tiles in different shapes, so be sure to examine and touch them up close—though climbing on it is not allowed.
Adjacent to the Demon Spirit is the Lord Okkoto. It’s adorned with vibrant tiles and pebbles that represent Lord Okkoto’s fur.

Howl’s Castle is a building shaped like a living creature that appears in Howl's Moving Castle. The entire structure stands about 20 meters tall. On the first floor, you’ll find a Calcifer’s furnace and Sophie’s room, while the second floor features Howl’s bedroom and studio. The charm of the castle lies in the detailed portrayal of the characters’ living spaces, offering a glimpse into their daily lives.
Part of the castle moves several times an hour and emits smoke, adding to the “moving castle” effect. Surrounding the castle is wasteland, and Turnip-head perched on a small hill is a popular photo spot.

The Okino Residence is the two-story house where the protagonist Kiki from Kiki's Delivery Service lived before embarking on her witch training journey. Upon entering through the front door, you can explore various rooms, including Kokiri’s (Kiki’s mother) shop, the guest room, and the kitchen.
Going up to the second floor, you’ll find Kiki’s room and her father’s study, where a special space unfolds that evokes scenes in the film. The garden in front of the house features seasonal flowers and plants.

Guchokipanya Bakery is the bakery where Kiki and Jiji lived in Kiki's Delivery Service, built using a traditional European wooden construction technique. Inside, you’ll find a wide range of bread, including Napolitan-flavored bread and original-flavor canelé, available for purchase.
The attic is also open to visitors, where you can see close-up props like the radio Kiki used while flying on her broom and the box of pancake mix. You can touch the windows and doors, making it a delightful space to explore thoroughly.