[Ghibli Park] "Cat Castle Playground” with the Motif of “The Cat Returns”

Nagakute City
Updated: 2024.04.18
Posted on: 2023.11.30
[Ghibli Park] "Cat Castle Playground” with the Motif of “The Cat Returns”

"Cat Castle Playground" opened in August 2023. This play equipment is based on the cat king's castle that appears in the Studio Ghibli movie "The Cat Returns."

A fee will be charged on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and busy days, but it is free to use on weekdays. (*Please check in advance as there may be temporary closure days)

▼ Click here for details

This time we actually went to the "Cat Castle Playground"!

How do I get to the Cat Castle Playground?

Main Gate

Elevator Tower

Ghibli Park is within "Aichi Expo Memorial Park" (commonly known as Moricoro Park) .

From Linimo "Ai-chikyuhaku Koen Station", go through the main gate and head to the elevator tower. By the way, there are no lockers at the Cat Castle Playground, so please leave your large belongings in the locker/cloakroom at the North Exit Information Center. (Lockers are also available at the west exit information desk)

“Cat Castle Playground” is located between the large lawn plaza and “Mononoke Village” which will open in the fall of 2023.

"Cat Castle Playground" 
based on the motif of “The Cat Returns”

Go through the cat-eared gate and enter the area!

A fee will be charged on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and busy days, but it is free to use on weekdays. (*Please check in advance as there may be temporary closure days)

On weekends, holidays, and crowded days, only children of elementary school age and younger and their parents or guardians may enter. Please note that adults alone are not allowed to enter.

Stone statues of cats  welcome you right away.

We decided to cross the bridge and go to a castle modeled after the Cat King's castle. There's a lot of playfulness in the details, such as the fish motif and character silhouettes!

A castle based on the cat king's castle (target ages: 3-6 years old & 6-12 years old)

In the center of the area is a castle modeled after the Cat King's castle. The cat king chair inside the castle is perfect for a commemorative photo!

You can enjoy a total of 3 slides, including a toddler slide for ages 3 to 6 and two tube slides for ages 6 to 12.

There was a cat's eye on the roof, and as a Ghibli fan, I was really excited!

There are various ways to climb to the top of the castle, such as using a net or stairs. You'll want to play there over and over again with various routes!

Maze / Tower

The 9 meter tall tower, which recreates the last scene of the movie, has a maze at the base. There are fish and cat motifs here too!

It's quite tall when you look up from below! You can't go to the top, but you can climb the stairs.

Inside the tower, there are murals painted just like in the movie.

Tarzan rope (target age: 6-12 years old)

At the back of the area are two Tarzan ropes, one 15m and the other 20m. Is that Toto the crow on top of the pillar?

By the way, there are benches scattered throughout the area, so you can take a break and watch your children play.

This time, we delivered a report on the "Cat Castle Playground" which opened in August 2023.

The worldview of "the Cat Returns" is packed into every detail, so even adults are sure to get excited! Please come and visit there with your family.

 

▼Check this out!

How to enjoy Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse! A thorough report from recommended places to go around to gourmet food

How to enjoy Hill of Youth! (World Emporium & Cat Office)

How to enjoy Dondoko Forest! (Satsuki and Mei's house & Dondoko-do)

You can enjoy it without a ticket! Ghibli Park Free Area Summary

 

Spot Details

▼Official website

[Ghibli Park]
Address: 1533-1 Ibaragabasama, Nagakute City Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
Business hours:
Weekdays: 10:00-17:00 / Saturdays and Sundays: 9:00-17:00
Closed days:
Every Tuesday (or the following weekday if Tuesday is a public holiday)
Designated dates for year-end and New Year holidays, maintenance, etc.

 

access

【train】
Subway Higashiyama Line "Nagoya" Station Fujigaoka bound
↓(28 min)
Subway Higashiyama Line "Fujigaoka" Station
↓ Transfer to the Linimo (5 minute walk)
Linimo "Fujigaoka" Station
↓(13 minutes)
Immediately after getting off at the Linimo "Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park" station

 

【bus】
Nagoya Station, Meitetsu Bus Center, 4th floor, bus stop 24 bound for "Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Ghibli Park)"
Central Japan International Airport Terminal 1 bound for "Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Ghibli Park)" via "Fujigaoka"
*For detailed timetables and fares, please check the Meitetsu Bus official website.

*There is no dedicated parking lot at Ghibli Park. Please use public transportation. If you have to come by car, please check the "Access and Parking" page on the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park website.

 

Fee

[Mononoke Village/ Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse]
*"Mononoke Village" is sold as a set with "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse."
Weekdays: Adults 2,500 yen, Children (ages 4 to elementary school) 1,250 yen
Weekends closed: Adults 3,000 yen, Children (ages 4 to elementary school) 1,500 yen

[Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse]
Weekdays: Adults 2,000 yen, Children (ages 4 to elementary school) 1,000 yen
Weekends closed: Adults 2,500 yen, Children (ages 4 to elementary school) 1,250 yen

 

[Hill of Youth]
Adults: 1,000 yen Children (ages 4 to elementary school): 500 yen

 

[Dondoko Forest]
Adults: 1,000 yen Children (ages 4 to elementary school): 500 yen

 

*Sold at "Boo-Woo Tickets" and other outlets.
*The above prices include tax.
*Admission is free for children under 3 years old.
*The above admission time slots marked with * are only available on days when the venue opens at 9:00.
* Reservations are required for weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (only some facilities have designated entry times and no restrictions on exit times).
*In the event of bad weather, the hiking trail behind the temple may be closed.
*Only children aged 12 and under may use the playground equipment: the Cat Bathroom and Children's Town in Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, the Dondoko Hall in Dondoko Forest, and the Okkotonushi in Spirit Village.
*The "Otokoto no Omi" event at "Mononoke no Sato" will be cancelled in case of rain.
*Those who have a disability certificate designated by Ghibli Park ("Physical Disability Certificate", "Mental Disability Health and Welfare Certificate", "Rehabilitation Certificate", "Specific Medical Expense Recipient Certificate", "Atomic Bomb Victim Health Certificate", "War Wounded Certificate") and up to one accompanying person must purchase a "Disabled Adult" or "Disabled Child" ticket. This is half the price of regular tickets. Please present either the original or a copy of your certificate or your Mirairo ID upon admission.
*A separate system usage fee (110 yen per ticket) will be required when purchasing.
*There are no group or advance ticket discounts.

 

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We would like it to be a media that is close to the readers' daily lives, such as outings and lunch references. It is run by editorial staff who devote themselves to food, outings, and hobbies every day. While living in the Tokai area, we will deliver through the media the things and places we encountered and things that touched our heartstrings.

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