Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Ghibli Museum

The Ghibli Museum (三鷹の森ジブリ美術館, Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Bijutsukan) is the animation and art museum of Miyazaki Hayao's Studio Ghibli, one of Japan's most famous animation studios. They have produced many feature length films with worldwide distribution such as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea.
Located in Mitaka, just outside of central Tokyo, the museum is a must-see for fans of the films. The museum itself is whimsically designed in the distinct style of the studio's films, and many of their famous characters are there, including a life-sized robot from Castle in the Sky on the rooftop garden.
The first floor of the museum exhibits the history and techniques of animation and has as a small theater which shows short movies by Studio Ghibli that are exclusive to the museum and are rotated monthly. The second floor houses special temporary exhibitions. The museum further has a cafe, children's play area, a rooftop garden and a gift shop.
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How to get there

The museum can be reached from Mitaka Station on the JR Chuo Line (15 minutes, 210 yen from ShinjukuStation). There are shuttle buses from the station to the museum (200 yen one way, 300 yen roundtrip, children are half price), while a taxi ride costs about 700 yen. Alternatively you can walk in about 20 minutes from Mitaka Station or from Kichijoji Station through Inokashira Park.