There is a new version of this blog with updated information. Please view it here: Dive into the Ghibli Museum - Planetyze.

Ghibli Entrance
Hayao Miyazaki, arguably the most famous Japanese Animation director, is known for animation films such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and so on. The Ghibli museum, that displays his animation films, opened more than a decade ago in Mitaka, Tokyo. This museum is not just a museum of animation, but contains enjoyable contents for both children and adults! Let's dive into the world of Hayao Miyazaki!
Here is an announcement from the Executive Director of the museum, Hayao Miyazaki.
This tells you a lot about what kind of place he is trying to make.
http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/004518.html

Address


1-1-83 Simorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Museum is located within Mitaka Inokashira Park.

Access


To Mitaka station, take the JR Chuo Line. Approx. 20 min. from Shinjuku station.
From Mitaka South Exit, approx. 15 min. walk along the Tamagawa Josui "Waterworks" to the museum.
A Community Bus is in operation from Mitaka Station to the Museum.
(Fare: one-way 200 yen / round trip 300 yen - 1/2 price for children under 12 years old)
Here is the bus schedule to the Ghibli Museum from Mitaka station (South Exit / Buss stop #9)

Website of the Museum


http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/

The Ghibli Museum has limited entrance time


10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00 are the entrance times and only 600 people can enter the museum on each time. However they don't limit the time people are allowed to stay inside of the museum, so if you buy a earlier time ticket you will be able to stay and enjoy the world of Ghibli much longer.

How to Buy a Ticket


Ticket Price


Adult and College Student 1000yen
Junior High and High School Student 700yen
Elementary School Student 400yen
Kids(4+) 100yen

The Ghibli Museum is very strict about their ticket and entrance.


This is the direct quote from the museum website,
“Entrance to the Ghibli Museum is strictly by advance purchase of a reserved ticket which specifies the appointed date of the reservation. You can get reservation tickets at designated local travel agency counters in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, North America, Europe and Australia. For further information on how to purchase reserved tickets, please click on a country.”

When to buy a ticket


Sales for tickets begin every 10th of the previous month. Tickets sell really fast on weekends and holidays, plan ahead and purchase in advance!
LAWSON
You can buy the ticket at the Japanese convenience store LAWSON, or Ministop. You can make a reservation or purchase a ticket at a multi-purpose machine called Loppi in LAWSON.

Loppi Website


http://www.lawson.co.jp/ghibli/museum/ticket/english.html
You can make a reservation here, but you have to pick up your ticket at LAWSON within 3 days.

Ticket Information Web Site For Outside of Japan


http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/ticket_information/

Here is some tips to enjoy the museum much more


Watch “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Castle in the Sky” again before visiting Ghibli Museum and you will be able to immerse yourself into the world of Hayao Miyazaki.
Also, if you look very carefully in the museum, you may be able to find hidden characters from Disney's Toy Story....^^

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