Jun 10, 2013 - 1 min read

Totoro! Ghibli Museum in Mitaka

Must-see museum into the anime world of Hayao Miyazaki

By Jessica A Paje

Community writer

I spy, Totoro! The cuddly creature welcomes you from behind the booth at the main entrance

The Main Entrance to the Ghibli Museum when approaching from Inokashira Park

Souvenir film strip tickets that you receive in return with your tickets purchased from Lawson. They're also your ticket into watching the short animated feature film

From "Castle in the Sky," a Laputa robot soldier guards the museum from the rooftop which is accessible from an outdoor spiral staircase

A view of the Ghibli Museum Café and the central gazebo with the hand pump water well

The cute little hand washing station outside the Ghibli Museum Cafe

Don't forget to look down when walking throughout the museum grounds. Here's a smiling face strategically placed at the end of the tiled stream of fresh water from the hand pump well

Enjoying the "Here Comes the Sun" Creamed Soda made with blood-orange sherbet and a straw made out of real straw, ¥580

The Pork Cutlet Curry with mixed Genmai rice was a home hearty meal enjoyed by all (¥1,200)

The Strawberry Short Cake was so amazing I didn't want to share (¥790)

The Ghibli Museum celebrated their 12th anniversary in 2013 since opening in June 2001

You won't miss the bright yellow community bus just outside the Mitaka train station that offers round-trip fares to and from the Ghibli Museum (¥300)

Notice

Admission to the Ghibli Museum is by advance reservation only.

Latest on Ghibli Museum

The Ghibli Museum—see our comprehensive museum guide here too—is such a whimsical treasure to visit! Just 15 minutes from Shinjuku by train, and then a quick ride on the Mitaka city bus that mimics the yellow Cat-bus as seen on "My Neighbor Totoro," the museum is fantastic for all ages and a must-see even if you are not yet familiar with Hayao Miyazaki's works of art. Experience a short anime feature film, spend some time admiring the history of all the Ghibli Studios movies made, and climb up spiral staircases to discover hidden gems such as Totoro and the Laputa robot.

More info

Find out more about Ghibli Museum.

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By Jessica A Paje

Community writer

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Elena Lisina 5 years ago

I got the chance to visit it, but wish I had more time there and photo was allowed. But it's fantastic place anyway!

Shaymaa Barakat 9 years ago

Ghibli museum is one of my main reasons for wanting to visit Japan, Thank you so much for sharing.

Justin Velgus 10 years ago

Thanks for clearing that up Jessica. I hope I can visit one day!

Jessica A Paje Photographer 10 years ago

That is a good question, Justin! If I recall correctly, the only way to get to the cafe is with paid admission. You can certainly take a peek from the adjacent park. For the souvenir shop, you definitely need an entrance ticket to the museum as it's located inside on the 2nd floor.