"Hayao Miyazaki’s fingerprints are all over this delightfully unconventional tribute to Studio Ghibli’s films set in Inokashira Park. When the legendary director helped design the museum, he insisted that it should be a place where children feel welcomed as equals. That means that the seats in the Saturn Theater, which screens animated shorts exclusive to the museum, are just right for kids and that even the smallest visitors can stand on a special stool to personally receive their ticket. From the 16-foot robot soldier from Castle in the Sky to a huge stuffed Cat Bus in the play area, this grand mansion is full of clever details. Exhibits like a life-size reproduction of a Ghibli artist’s studio bring ideas to life, while sketches and animation cels are exciting to view up close. When it’s time for replenishments, the Straw Hat Café feels like a real-life tea party, complete with confections like cakes layered with strawberries and cream." - Diana Hubbell
