New Studio Ghibli Theme Park Set to Open in 2022

In 2017, the studio Ghibli stoked supreme excitement among its fans by announcing the opening of an amusement park modelled on the dreamlike world of Japanese director and cartoonist Hayao Miyazaki. On 31 May, the project took another step forward with an announcement from Toshio Suzuki, the iconic producer of Miyazaki and Isao Takahata films, who unveiled during a press conference that the park would open in the year 2022.

The park will be divided into three areas that will mirror the various films of the famous animation studio. The public will be able to visit reconstructions of film sets such as My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle or Princess Mononoke.

The first area, called ‘Dondoko Forest’ will recreate the famous house of Mei and Satsuki from My Neighbor Totoro. The second called ‘Youth Hill’ is inspired by the movie Howl’s Moving Castle. Finally, Great Ghibli Warehouse will house a shopping mall melding both Japanese and Western architectural styles. The following year visitors will be able to experience a village based on the world of Princess Mononoke, as well as a ‘Valley of the Witch’ based on Kiki’s Delivery Service.

A real immersive and sensory experience, this park seeks to penetrate the heart of the poetic imaginary that is so characteristic of Miyazaki’s work. True to the director’s commitment, the park will strive to respect ecological principles diligently; spread over a 200 hectare plot in the middle of nature in the prefecture of Aichi, near Nagoya. Far from the high octane world of roller coasters and big dippers, peace is likely to reign over at this park. 

Find a brief overview of the project here.