Ghibli Museum, Mitaka

In short

​Ghibli Museum, Mitaka​ is an animation museum located in the Inokashira Onshi Park West Garden in Mitaka City, focusing on the works of Studio Ghibli. It opened in 2001, and the building was designed by Director Miyazaki Hayao.

• ​Rooftop Robot Soldier​​: Standing about 5 meters tall in the rooftop garden, this Robot Soldier from Castle in the Sky serves as the museum's guardian deity.
• ​"Saturn Theater" (Exhibition Room)​​: A small theater with seating for about 80 people that screens original short animated films created by Studio Ghibli specifically for the Saturn Theater, among other works.
• ​Maze-like Building​​: Spiral staircases and aerial walkways surround an open, multistory central hall. The museum's concept is "Let's lose our way, together."

History and Highlights

​Ghibli Museum, Mitaka​ is a Mitaka City facility whose official name is the Mitaka Municipal Animation Museum. Realized as a joint project between Mitaka City, Tokuma Shoten, Studio Ghibli, and Nippon Television, it opened on October 1, 2001. It presents a wide range of exhibits on animation, focusing on the works of Studio Ghibli.

The building was designed by Director Miyazaki Hayao based on the concept of "building it as if it were a single film itself." Words from the museum's executive director state, "I don't really want to control visitors with things like routes and designated courses." The concept is "Let's lose our way, together."

Walking along Kichijoji-dori Street, visitors are first greeted by a large Totoro at the reception desk. However, this is a pretend reception. Beyond it stands the museum—a building with two stories above ground and one basement level, nestled among the trees of the park's woods. Each window and lamp is fitted with handmade stained glass, and the entire ceiling is decorated with fresco paintings. The admission ticket handed out at the entrance is a real 35mm film strip used in movie screenings. You won't know which scene you get until you receive it.

The central hall is an open-atrium space extending from the first basement level to the second floor above ground. Spiral staircases, aerial walkways, and projecting terraces create a maze-like environment.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Permanent Exhibition Room "Where a Film is Born"​​: An exhibition area consisting of five small rooms. The walls are covered edge-to-edge with illustrations and sketches, allowing visitors to trace how a single film comes together starting from a small idea.
• ​"Saturn Theater" (Exhibition Room)​​: A small theater on the first basement floor that seats about 80 people. It screens original short animated films made exclusively for the Saturn Theater, with titles changing periodically. When the movie ends, windows open to let in natural daylight.
• ​Rooftop Garden Robot Soldier​​: Climbing the spiral staircase next to the Cat Bus Room leads to a lush green rooftop garden. Standing about 5 meters tall, the Robot Soldier from Castle in the Sky serves as the museum's guardian deity.

Walking Tips

Admission requires an advance reservation specifying the date and time. Taking photos or recording videos inside the museum is prohibited. This is based on the idea of wanting visitors to become the protagonists of the story and experience the exhibits with their own eyes and bodies.

It is about a 15-minute leisurely walk from the South Exit of JR Mitaka Station along the Tamagawa Aqueduct. Signposts pointing toward the museum are set along the aqueduct. It is also about a 15-minute walk from Kichijoji Station and Inokashira-koen Station.

The museum is located within the Inokashira Onshi Park West Garden. About 450 meters to the northwest lies the Mitaka City Yamamoto Yuzo Memorial Museum.