Ghibli Park

The replica house from My Neighbor Totoro

Plans for the theme park were first announced in 2017 by Toshio Suzuki, the producer of several of Studio Ghibli's movies, saying the attraction was planned to open in 2020. According to the original announcement, the park aimed would focus entirely on the world of My Neighbor Totoro.[3] The location chosen was the Aichi's Expo Park, which hosted the World Expo 2005, and already contains a replica of the house of the main characters of My Neighbor Totoro.[4] The area, also known as Moricoro Park, was previously chosen to host two exhibitions of the studio, the first in 2008 and the second in 2015.[5]

On 2019 further information about the state of the theme park was announced, including Studio Ghibli's partnership with the Aichi Prefecture and the Chunichi Shimbun newspaper. The new plans included the addition of four other areas to the park based on the other movies by the studio, and a new opening date of late 2022 was given. Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, was said to be taking part in the planning of the park.[6]

In February 2022, it was announced the park would open on November 1, 2022. At the time of its opening, three locations would be available: the "Ghibli's Grand Warehouse", "Hill of Youth", and "Dondoko Forest".[7] The second phase of constructions, planned to be concluded late 2023, will add the "Valley of Witches" and "Mononoke Village".[8]

The park is based around five main themed areas, which are based around different Ghibli movies and are located within the grounds and buildings of Expo 2005. Those five areas are: Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, The Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village and Valley of Witches.

The heated pool from Expo 2005, the site of Ghibli's Grand Warehouse

Ghibli's Grand Warehouse is replacing the heated swimming pool, which closed in 2018.[9] The Air Destroyer Goliath, which is 6 meters long, and the ruined gardens from Castle in the Sky will appear at the Grand Warehouse.[10] You will find Ghibli character exhibitions such as Robot Soldier and Cat Bus.[11]

The Hill of Youth is mainly based around the film Howl's Moving Castle, with an observation tower styled to the time period the film is set in.[10][12] This area also features “World Emporium”, which is the antique shop from Whisper of the Heart, as well as “Cat Bureau” from The Cat Returns, which will be recreated as a cat-sized building.[9]

Dondoko Forest will be the location of Satsuki and Mei's house from My Neighbor Totoro, which was already built from Expo 2005.[13] The name of this area comes from the “Dondoko Odori” dance performed by Satsuki, Mei, and Totoro during a scene from the film. There will also be a wooden playground on the hill behind the house,[9] which is mentioned on the park's website as “‘Dondoko-do’ awaits you at the top of the forest hill that sits behind Satsuki and Mei's House”.[11]

Mononoke Village will represent, as its name suggests, Princess Mononoke. It is based on the film's setting of Irontown, and will house models of the many mystical creatures featured in the film.[10]

Valley of Witches takes inspiration from the film Kiki's Delivery Service and the wastelands in Howl's Moving Castle. This area will include restaurants and small amusement facilities, keeping to the theme of the park having no big rides or attractions. The area will also have a replica of Kiki and her parents’ home.[10] Furthermore, there will be a life-size Howl's Moving Castle, set to be four or five storeys high.[14]

• Ghibli Museum