Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo : Ghibli Museum Exhibits Guide


Visiting the Ghibli Museum: A Walk Through Animation Magic

My Neighbor Totoro Doll in Ghibli

Ghibli OST fan: Ghibli Museum plan

While I’ve always loved Ghibli soundtracks, I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard fan of the animations themselves. So far, I’ve watched Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbour Totoro, and, after booking tickets to the Ghibli Museum, I finally watched Porco Rosso. Visiting the museum was more about curiosity and appreciation for the craft than fandom—and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

Booking Ghibli Tickets: A Mini Challenge 

Tickets for the Ghibli Museum open on the 10th of each month for the following month. Since we planned our visit for May 8th, I made the reservation on April 10th. The official website opens at 10 a.m. Japan time, and if you want a specific time slot, I highly recommend logging in right at opening — it honestly felt like trying to score concert tickets for a popular idol. 

Before 10 a.m., I was already repeatedly accessing the website. When I finally got into the booking system, all the earliest time slots were taken, and I had to reserve the 12 p.m. slot, which was the second earliest available. In total, there are four time slots you can choose from: 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.

Getting There: Shuttle or Scenic Walk?

Most guides mention Mitaka Station, likely because there’s a free shuttle bus from there. But if you enjoy a stroll and want to take in the local scenery, walking is a wonderful option. From either Mitaka Station or Kichijoji Station, it’s about a 15–20 minute walk to the museum.

A few tips:

  • No Tokyo Metro pass covers Kichijoji or Mitaka, as they are outside Tokyo’s 23 wards. If you use the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass or Tokyo Free Kippu, you can travel as far as Nishi-Ogikubo Station, then pay an extra ¥140 to Kichijoji or ¥170 to Mitaka (as of September 2025).
  • If you’d rather minimise walking, take the shuttle from Mitaka station.

Our original plan was to take a free bus from Mitaka Station, but since the weather was very nice, we decided to walk instead from Mitaka Station. It’s an easy 1 km walk: just go straight, turn right at the end, and follow the signs. The route winds through a quiet residential area with tree-lined sidewalks. The walk itself felt calm and peaceful—a perfect prelude to the museum.

On our way back, we wandered through Inokashira Park to Kichijoji station, which was equally beautiful and relaxing.

Guide Sign to Ghibli Museum In Mitaka

Guide Sign to Ghibli Museum
You won't get lost if you just follow these signsπŸ‘

Exploring the Museum

Photography and video recording are allowed outdoors, but not inside. Bags should be stored in lockers at the entrance, after which you’re free to explore at your own pace with the provided map. Photography is not allowed inside, so simply enjoy the experience.

There’s no set order for touring, but I recommend saving the theatre short film for last. Each visitor gets one free short film with admission. Although there are no subtitles, it’s especially enjoyable after seeing the exhibits showing how each animation is created — from initial sketches to final movement. Watching the short film with that context makes you truly appreciate the effort behind every scene.

Ghibli Museum Building and waiting
The weather was nice, and many people were waiting to enter


Ghibli Outdoor Stairs and Plant

Robot Soldier Laputa In Ghibli

Soot Sprites display in Ghibli

Final Thoughts on Visiting the Ghibli Museum

Even if you’re not a huge Ghibli fan, the museum is worth visiting at least once. It offers a unique insight into how animation and motion are created. If you’re travelling near the Sobu-Chuo line, areas like Nakano, Koenji, Ogikubo, or Kichijoji make convenient starting points.

Things to Do near the Ghibli Museum

  • Nakano: Discover goods and items related to anime characters at Nakano Broadway, and explore Nakano Sun Mall, an arcade that stretches 224 meters in length.
  • Koenji: Known for vintage shopping, Koenji is full of unique, hip, and retro stores waiting to be explored.
  • Ogikubo: Famous for its ramen, especially those with katsuobushi and seafood-based broths. Some highly recommended ramen shops include Misokko Fuku, Harukiya Honten, Ramen Jiro Ten, θΏ‚η›΄ (Uchoku), This is ramen so on.
  • Kichijoji: Consistently ranked by young Japanese as one of the most desirable areas to live. The neighbourhood is full of small alleys with Japanese-style shops selling clothes, home goods, and other trendy items.

English Accessibility Inside the Ghibli Museum

Since my husband doesn’t know Japanese, I noticed that many exhibitions—including the free short movie—don’t have much English signage or description. While most of the exhibits can still be enjoyed visually, I think it would be better if they provided a bit more English guidance for the many international visitors.

Ghibli Museum Ticket Price and Value

Overall, the entry fee felt very reasonable:

  • Adults: 1,000 yen
  • Middle & high school students: 700 yen
  • Primary school students: 400 yen
  • Children under 4: Free

The weather was perfect for walking, and as someone who enjoys motion graphics as a hobby, I found the detailed look into animation fascinating.

The Ghibli Museum isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about the craft, creativity, and magic behind Studio Ghibli films. For both anime lovers and casual visitors, it offers a one-of-a-kind cultural experience in Tokyo.

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.
Location: Shinbashi, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan

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