​"Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse" is the main area of Ghibli Park's first opening.

Inside the large building, which used to be a heated swimming pool, there are three special exhibitions, a public warehouse, a video exhibition room, a cafe and a shop, all packed with the charm of Ghibli. Content related to various works such as "Castle in the Sky", "Spirited Away", "The Borrower Arrietty", and "My Neighbor Totoro"!

This time, we will deliver a thorough report from recommended ways to go around to gourmet food.

How to get to "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse"

Ghibli Park is located in Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (commonly known as Moricoro Park) in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture.

From Linimo "Ai-chikyuuhaku Kinen Koen Station" to "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse", go through the main gate and head for the elevator tower. By the way, there are no lockers in the large warehouse, so it's recommended to leave your large baggage at the locker/cloakroom at the north exit information center. (Lockers are also available at the North Exit Information Center)

The silver building that comes into view after exiting the elevator tower is Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse.

Recommended way to go around "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse"!

Let's go inside the large warehouse!

Tickets are reserved for a specific date and time. It is said that the time required for the large warehouse is 2-3 hours, but if you want to enjoy taking pictures, we recommend the earliest time in the morning. (The writer who loves Ghibli sometimes stayed for 5 to 6 hours.)

 

There is no sequential route in the large warehouse, so you can tour from any area you like.

The crowds vary depending on the day of the week and time of day, but we would like to introduce our recommended way to go around. (*Please feel free to customize it according to the conditions of the day and what you want to enjoy.)

First, go to the "Central Stairs"!

Upon entering the Grand Warehouse, first aim for the "central staircase"! Approximately 200,000 brightly colored tiles decorate the staircase.

As the number of people increases, it becomes difficult to take pictures, so it is recommended to take a commemorative photo early. The inside of the warehouse is complicated like a maze, so it can also be used as a meeting place.

Looking up at the ceiling, visitors will see a 7-meter-long representation of the giant flying ship that appeared in the opening scene of "Laputa: Castle in the Sky.

Check out the Ghibli characters hidden in the tiles, such as Makkuro Kurosuke and Cat Bus!

Incidentally, the tiles are based on a black-and-white sketch by director Goro Miyazaki, and tile craftsmen considered the color scheme in balance with the surrounding buildings and plants.

The "Central Staircase" alone is a must-see for Ghibli fans, as each wall has a different theme, such as "Seven Days of Fire" from "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" or the opening of "My Neighbor Totoro".

Let's look for Chihiro's contract in the "Director's Office"! ｜"Spirited Away"

The Director's Office from "Spirited Away" and the "Sky Garden" from "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" are particularly popular areas, so be sure to visit them early! (There may be a line when it is crowded.)

Go up the central staircase and turn left at the end of the staircase, you will see the "Director's Office". This is located in a position that allows you to monitor the museum.

Inside the director's room is Yubaba from "Spirited Away! It looks so realistic that it looks as if it might start moving at any moment. Next to Yubaba, there are also Kashira (heads) with round eyes.

There is Chihiro's signature among the contracts flying around ! Each contract has a different name on it, so it's fun to take a closer look.

Commemorative photo with a robot soldier at "Sky Garden" | "Castle in the Sky Laputa"

Next, head to the Sky Garden, which is inspired by the ruined garden of Laputa: Castle in the Sky. A robot soldier with a height of about 4m is waiting patiently for the return of the master.

You will feel as if you have wandered into the garden of Laputa.

There is also a mysterious mural on the back side of the pillar!

"The House Below and The Little People's Garden" for small people! ｜ "The Borrower Arrietty"

In the "The house below and the little people's garden", you can experience the world as if you were a dwarf who appears in "The Borrower Arrietty".

First, go to "The house below" where the dwarfs live. The door of the house is a kamaboko board!

First of all, "Arrietty's room". The chest of drawers made from the tea cans that appear in the movie and the mirror on the lid are also realistically reproduced. Exciting as if we were in a movie!

Arrietty lives by "borrowing" human belongings. Familiar objects such as staplers and clothespins are used.

Next, go to the "Little People's Garden". White clover, dandelion, and water droplets on leaves are so big from a dwarf's point of view! We were surprised with them.

Recommended photo spots are inside the bottle and the entrance to the underfloor.

There is also a sugar cube that Arrietty dropped when she "borrowed" it. There is also a letter written by Sho.

Shopping street "Minami-machi" where you can also enjoy shopping

At the end of the garden of "Little People's Garden" is the shopping street "Minami-machi".

There are three stores: "Neppu Shoten", a bookstore with books related to Studio Ghibli, "Ozora Mokei", a model shop with an attractive collection unique to the grand warehouse, and "Dagashi Nekokaburi Hime", which is full of nostalgic candies.

Lunch at the "Transcontinental Flight Café"

For lunch, go to the cafe building "Transcontinental flight" adjacent to the grand warehouse. There is a line at noon, so it is recommended to have a light breakfast and head early.

The image is based on Italy, the hometown of the aviator, FERRALIN, who was the first person in human history to fly across the Eurasian continent. It is also the origin of the name of Major Ferrarin, who appears as Porco's friend in "Porco Rosso”.

The showcase is filled with sandwiches and pizzas. You order at the casher and then take a seat. The menu also includes "An (sweet bean paste) & Butter" and "Miso Katsu," which are typical of Aichi Prefecture!

In Rome, Italy, where Ferrarin took off, it is common to cut the pizza into squares and sell it by weight. It's pretty hearty!

Sandwiches and miso cutlet pizzas come with 12 types of flags drawn by director Hayao Miyazaki. Perfect for commemorating your visit. (* The pattern is random)

Special Exhibition 1: "Becoming Characters in Memorable Ghibli Scenes"

After lunch, take your time to enjoy the special exhibitions!

The "Ghibli's Famous Scenes Exhibition" is a hands-on exhibit that allows visitors to become a character in a famous scene from a Ghibli film. 14 scenes from 13 films can be entered!

While waiting in line, it is a good idea to think about what kind of pose you would like to take!

Editorial Team 's recommendation is the scene where Sheeta is rescued from Laputa: Castle in the Sky. If you shoot from the side of Dora, you can take a powerful shot like this!

Other scenes such as "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea", "The Wind Rises", "When Marnie Was There", "Princess Mononoke", etc. are all irresistible scenes for Ghibli fans!

Special Exhibit 2: "Delicious! Animating Memorable Meals " Expanded Edition
Special Exhibition 3: "Everything Ghibli!" 

Special Exhibition2 and Special Exhibition 3 are held in the Special Exhibition Room. (*Photography is not allowed for Special Exhibition 2.)

The entrance that was originally the changing room of the pool. You can definitely feel the legacy!

The special exhibit 3, "Everything Ghibli!" featured posters, video and music packages, books, and other items from Ghibli works collected from around the world. It was impressive to see the different atmospheres of posters and packages for the same work in different countries.

Is it full of treasures for fans? ! "Open warehouse"

Next, go to the "Open warehouse"!

As the name "warehouse" implies, visitors can see a part of the warehouse where the productions and modeling objects exhibited in the special exhibitions of the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka and other exhibitions in Japan and abroad are stored.

It's really a warehouse, so it's fun to see what's in store at that time!

Pay attention to the details of the "Philosophy Club Room"! ｜"From Up On Poppy Hill"

At the bottom of the stairs at the entrance of the large warehouse is the Philosophy Club room in the corner of the "Quartier Latin" that appears in "From Up on Poppy Hill." There are also items that appeared in the movie Quartier Latin cleaning, so be sure to check them out.

The school caps that appear in the movie! In those days, it was considered cool to fold the brim of a school cap, take out the inside core to wear it.

Let's watch a short animation at "Cinema Orion"!

At the mini-theater "Cinema Orion", short animated films produced by Studio Ghibli, which were previously shown only at the "Ghibli Museum, Mitaka", are shown. (*Screenings change irregularly)

You can watch the movie once per person with the viewing ticket handed out when you enter the warehouse.

Kids only area! "Cat Bath Room" and "Children's Town"

"Cat Bath Room" and "Children's Town" are areas for children under elementary school age! You can play with peace of mind because it is in the baby room area where you can change diapers and restrooms for children.

* Only children under elementary school age and accompanying persons are allowed.
*Photography is prohibited.

There are many points that children can enjoy, such as the small "Satsuki and Mei's House", the "Cat Bus" that can only be found in this space, and the small Studio Ghibli! Families with small children should definitely visit.

Take a break at the milk stand “Siberian”

After playing a lot, take a break at the milk stand “Siberian” near the exit.

This is a milk stand that sells "Siberia", a sweet made of castella sandwiched with red bean paste, which also appeared in "The Wind Rises", and milk.

In the early Showa period, "Siberia" was the number one snack that children wanted to eat. The combination of fluffy castella, sticky sweet red bean paste, and rich milk is outstanding. The gentle sweetness soaks into your tired body.

A must see for Ghibli fans! Pay attention to the details!

Among the natural stones laid on the floor of the large warehouse, there's a familiar shape...! We found them at 3 places today.

In addition to this, the large warehouse is full of tricks that are irresistible to Ghibli fans, so be sure to pay attention to each area and special exhibitions.

Finally, get a souvenir at the shop "Ghibli's Grand Warehouse Shop"!

The store "Adventurous Flying Squadron" offers a variety of goods related to Ghibli's works and Ghibli Park original goods. By the way, there are no lockers in the Grand Warehouse, so it is recommended to purchase large souvenirs at the end of the day! (If there is an item you want for sure, buy it early because it may be sold out.)

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This time, we introduced the recommended way to go around Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse. It's said to take two to three hours, but if you're a fan of Studio Ghibli, want to see the exhibits, or want to enjoy the cafes and shops, you'll be able to enjoy half a day.

You cannot re-enter the large warehouse, so please be careful when allocating your time when visiting other areas as well.

 

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