The Ghibli Museum is a very unique and memorable experience. It's an all-round solidly designed museum that will appeal to adults and children alike. Since the museum's emphasis is not on the history but the art of Ghibli films someone who has never watched one will enjoy it just as much as someone as who has a complete collection of Ghibli movies on their shelf.

Those living in Japan may find the the gift shop to be a bit of a disappointment. While it has plenty of products not found in other Ghibli stores they are exorbitantly priced. I pretty much have to recommend finding one of the regular stores if you want to buy a lot of gifts.

Mitaka City is a quite affluent residential area of Tokyo. The area has a number of famous locations. The Tamagawa Canal which runs alongside the "Kaze no Sanpo Michi (Promenade of Winds)" between the Ghibli Museum and Mitaka Station is a famous tree lined river which was built to provide drinking water to the metropolis in 1653.

To the northeast of the museum is the Inokashira Park (井の頭公園). This park is considered very romantic and has been featured in more than one Japanese television show. It is a forested area with large old trees with several lakes in the middle. The west side has many carp and birds in it and the other side is full of couples paddling in boats. There is a zoo and a number of sports fields around the park. All in all, the area is quite unlike what you would expect from Tokyo.

Studio Ghibli's films have been praised worldwide by movie critics for their class and depth of design. Hayao Miyazaki, the studio's top director, and his colleagues have long placed product before marketing and toys. Ironically, Disney, the company they turned to for advice and experience in marketing films no longer has an animation department.

Mitaka City is part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area but just outside the 23 central wards (cities). Mitaka City can be easily traveled to on JR East trains. JR Mitaka Station is roughly 20 minutes west of JR Shinjuku Station. From the station, you can walk the kilometer in 15-20 minutes to the Ghibli Museum or you can take the bus. In any case, take the south exit and turn left to the Kaze no Sanpo Michi.

All tickets to the museum must be purchased in advance. The Ghibli Museum is far too popular to let everyone visit all at once. Tickets can be purchased in Japan at any Lawson through Loppi but popular dates can sell out over a month in advance. Outside of Japan, there are a limited number of tickets available for purchase through JTB and other Japanese travel agents. The tickets list the time and date you can enter the museum. You must enter the museum by 30 minutes after the time on your ticket. Unless you plan your trip to the Ghibli Museum far in advance you may end up disappointed.

See Also: Satsuki and Mei's House (Aichi Prefecture)

External Links: Official Museum Website / Nausicaa.net