Ghibli Museum
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Mitaka Station · 15 min walk (JR Chūō Line, JR Chūō-Sōbu Line)
- Hours
- 10:00–18:00 (closed Tuesdays; advance reservation with designated entry times required)
- Admission
- ¥1,000 (adults and university students), ¥700 (junior and senior high school students), ¥400 (elementary school students), ¥100 (children aged 4 and older), free (ages 3 and under)
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Best time to go
- The 10:00 morning entry slot on weekdays, which avoids accumulated congestion at the Straw Hat Cafe and gift shop
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself, this whimsical museum in Mitaka is a dreamlike, interactive tribute to Studio Ghibli's beloved animations. Visitors can explore secret passages, climb inside a giant Catbus, view exclusive short films in the Saturn Theater, and see original sketches that bring classic films to life. It is an absolute must-visit for animation lovers, offering a rare, tactile look into the studio's creative process without the feel of a commercial theme park.
What Japanese guides note
Entry requires arriving within one hour of the designated ticket time slot, after which visitors may remain inside until the 18:00 closing time. Interior photography is banned to encourage visitors to experience the space directly rather than through camera viewfinders, though outdoor sections like the rooftop garden allow photos. The 15-minute pedestrian route from Mitaka Station South Exit follows the Tamagawa Josui aqueduct along the paved Kaze no Sanpomichi, marked by museum directional totems.
Details from local sources
- The facility is municipally owned by Mitaka City under the formal name Mitaka Municipal Animation Museum and operated by the Tokuma Memorial Cultural Foundation for Animation. [source]
- Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited inside all interior galleries, but are permitted in exterior spaces such as the rooftop and patio. [source]
- Reservation vouchers are exchanged at the entrance for an admission ticket containing an authentic three-frame strip of 35mm film. [source]
- The interactive plush Catbus room is restricted exclusively to children of elementary school age and younger. [source]
- The rooftop garden features a five-meter-tall Robot Soldier statue from Castle in the Sky that serves as the museum's guardian figure. [source]
- Screenings at the underground Saturn Theater are strictly limited to one viewing per visitor per visit. [source]
- The Mitaka City Bus runs from Mitaka Station South Exit Bus Stop 9 directly to the museum stop for ¥230 one way. [source]
Insider Tip
Tickets must be bought months in advance on the 10th of each month; they sell out in minutes, so set an alarm for your local time.
Frequently asked
Can visitors buy same-day tickets at the museum entrance?
No. Admission is strictly by advance reservation with designated entry times, purchased via Lawson Ticket or authorized overseas sales channels. No tickets are sold at the museum gate or inside the facility; visitors arriving without an advance reservation voucher will be denied entry.
Are adults allowed to enter and play on the Catbus?
No. The plush Catbus attraction in the second-floor playroom is strictly reserved for children of elementary school age, defined as sixth grade and younger. Adult visitors may observe from the perimeter of the room, but cannot enter or touch the play structure.
Is photography allowed anywhere in the Ghibli Museum?
Photography and filming are prohibited inside the entire interior of the building to preserve the immersion of the exhibits. However, visitors may take photos in outdoor spaces, including the central patio courtyard and the rooftop garden where the five-meter Robot Soldier statue stands.
Can you watch the Saturn Theater short film more than once?
No. Each admission ticket includes a three-frame 35mm film strip stamped upon entry to the Saturn Theater, granting exactly one viewing per visitor per visit. The theater screens exclusive original short animations that rotate monthly and are never shown in commercial cinemas.
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