Ghibli Museum

"While the rest of the world waits for access to Ghibli Park tickets, there’s also the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka in Tokyo, which is still offering its pandemic-sparked virtual tours." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"Enter a Storybook World at Tokyo's Ghibli Museum Since its founding in 1985, Studio Ghibli has become one of the world's preeminent masters of film animation. The Ghibli Museum, opened in 2001, is nested within one of Tokyo's most beloved parks, Inokashira Park—just 20 minutes by train from Shinjuku to either Mitaka or Kichijōji. Take time before or after your museum visit to stroll through the park or to rent a paddle boat. Included with the price of admission is one viewing in the Saturn Theater, where Ghibli's short films—made exclusively for the museum—are screened. The tickets themselves are precious as well—each one is made of original 35mm film print. On the second floor, the permanent exhibits are set up as an animator's workshop and display the many steps of the animation process. Tubes of paint, pencils, and figurines sit scattered across a desk alongside paint palettes and works in progress. A stack of books about World War II aircraft sits in the corner, while model airplanes dangle from the rafters. Visitors can see original concept sketches, storyboards, background matte paintings, and animation cels—a rare treat for fans. Other exhibits demonstrate the science of animation, including the "Bouncing Totoro" zoetrope. When illuminated by strobe lights, the figurines on the turntables spring to life. Admission is by advance purchase only. While it is possible to buy tickets in Japan at most Lawson locations, visitors outside Japan can buy tickets through an authorized travel agency. Photo: Grace Lingad By Grace Lingad"

"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

"A small but thoughtful tribute to the works of Japan’s most beloved animation studio, the Ghibli Museum's design is as quirky as its collection. Director Hayao Miyazaki lent his personal touch to the building, which loosely echoes a grand Italian villa. A dense layer of greenery covers the exterior of the mansion and a 16-foot-tall robot soldier from the classic film Castle in the Sky peers morosely down from the rooftop garden. A location in lush Inokashira Park makes it feel like a hidden secret, but this museum has been booked solid since it opened. Tickets for visitors outside of Japan go on sale on the first of the month for the following three months—and they sell out quickly. Die-hards could easily spend an afternoon just browsing the Tri Hawks reading room, but if you’re in a rush, you can cruise through the collection in an hour. Don’t miss a screening of one of the animated short films, all of which are exclusive to the Ghibli Museum." - Diana Hubbell