Japan Awaits

Attention all Studio Ghibli film fans! We are thrilled to present an exclusive “Insights to Ghibli” experience in Tokyo, right before your visit to the renowned Ghibli Museum (admission ticket included). Please note that admission to the museum is strictly by advance reservation only, and on-site ticket purchases are not available.

During this captivating prelude to your Ghibli Museum tour, you will have the opportunity to delve into the enchanting world of Studio Ghibli. Our expert guide, who holds a valid national guide license and possesses a wealth of knowledge about all things Ghibli, will take you on a journey through the wonders of this beloved universe. Discover the captivating history and background of the films, and receive exclusive insider tips to fully appreciate the magic within the Ghibli Museum. 

Once the explanation session concludes, you will board the bus to the Ghibli Museum, where you will have the freedom to explore the Ghibli Museum at your own pace. 

Studio Ghibli, Inc. is a Japanese animation film studio, that is famously led by Hayao Miyazaki. The studio is best known for its anime feature films–eight of which are among the 15 highest-grossing anime films made in Japan and five films (including Spirited Away, 2001) received Academy Award nominations in the United States.

The Ghibli Museum opened in 2001 in Mitaka, Tokyo, and has become a popular tourist attraction. Co-founded by director Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli is behind some of Japan’s most beloved animated films, such as “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Princess Mononoke,” and “Spirited Away”. The museum attracts a huge number of visitors and tickets are extremely limited, so it is best to acquire the tickets in advance to ensure you can visit the museum when you are in town.

Hayao Miyazaki, the director of Studio Ghibli, had a hand in designing the facilities at the museum, including:

• A sculpture of a robot from Castle in the Sky (the most popular exhibit in the museum)
• A stone monument from Castle in the Sky (words of the character Laputa are engraved)
• The seasonal exhibition room, which focuses on specific works of art
• The permanent exhibition room, which features storyboards from films
• The Cat-bus room where children can play freely
• Library reading room with all books available for purchase
• Video exhibition room where seasonal anime works have been screened
• Ghibli characters drawn on the entire ceiling of the entrance hall
• A display entrance counter from Totoro
• Mugiwara Bousi café
• Souvenir shop

Highlights:

• Pre-order Request: Easily pre-order your tickets (with optional tour) online. This is a request only and is based on availability (the Ghibli form will be sent to you after booking so that you can provide more details and preference dates and times).

• Expert Guide: An hour before the ticket entrance time, the guests will meet with the expert guide who will share fascinating insights about Ghibli and the museum (learn about its history, significance to Japanese culture and unique exhibits). Guests may gain a deeper understanding of the museum and its connection to the imaginative world of Studio Ghibli.

• Leisurely Visit: After the informative “Insights to Ghibli” session, guests will board the short bus ride to Ghibli Museum, and have the freedom to explore the Ghibli Museum at their own pace. They can immerse themselves in the enchanting displays, interactive exhibits, and beautiful surroundings, creating a memorable experience tailored to their preferences.

*This ticket with “Insights to Ghibli” explanation is an independent service and is not affiliated with Ghibli Museum (this is not an official tour by Ghibli Museum).

Availability: 

• See Calendar (Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis and are based on availability). Acquiring the tickets is not always guaranteed. We will let you know at least two weeks before the ticket date if we were NOT able to secure the tickets for you, and you will receive a full refund.
• You can pre-order your tickets until the 5th of the previous month of your ticket date. For example, if you would like tickets for February, you must place your order with us by January 5th (23:59 JST), or if you would like tickets for October, you must place your order with us by September 5th (23:59 JST), and so forth. 

Starting Times:

• 9 AM, 10 AM, 2 PM, 3 PM

    *We recommend alloting at least 2.5 to 3 hours from the start of the “Insights to Ghibli” session to walking around the Ghibli Museum.

Location: Ghibli Museum, 1-1-83, Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo

Price: 

• Ticket with “Insights to Ghibli” Explanation Session: ¥12,800 per person. The cost includes ticket (age 4+, 1,000 JPY), a service fee for finding tickets, an English-speaking expert guide fee, drink fee and bus fare from Mitaka Station to the Ghibli Museum. Adult pricing applies to all travelers aged 4 and above.

Included: 

• Admission ticket (Age 4+)
• English-speaking expert guide before visiting Ghibli Museum
• One drink
• Bus fare from Mitaka Station to Ghibli Museum

Excluded: 

• Tour guide inside Ghibli Museum
• Return bus fare

Additional information: 

PLEASE ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THE GHIBLI FORM: After your booking, you will receive a link to the Ghibli Form (within 48 hours) that asks for pertinent information required for this booking. Please ensure that this Ghibli Form is completed accurately before the 4th of the previous month of your ticket request date to avoid cancellation.

• Please provide at least 2 different dates and 2 different times (in order of preference) to increase your chances of getting the ticket.
• Please note that we will purchase the tickets based on your preferred date and time. Once the tickets are purchased, we are unable to make any changes to the date or time or offer a refund if you are unable to join us (the tickets will be under your name and cannot be transferred). Therefore, please double-check your preferred date and time before submitting the form.

• We will notify you within the first week of the official ticket release date (between the 10th to 17th of the previous month of the preference date) regarding the status of your tickets.
• The tickets are based on availability, but acquiring the tickets is not always guaranteed. If we were NOT able to secure the tickets for you, and you will receive a full refund.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult.

• The tour guide will meet you at a designated point and briefly introduce the world of Ghibli as you sip on a refreshing drink. From there, you will take the bus from Mitaka Station to Ghibli Museum.

• A moderate amount of walking is involved. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Directions

By Train: Take the JR Chuo Line to Mitaka Station (it takes about 20-30 minutes from Shinjuku station on Express or Local train). When you arrive at Mitaka Station, exit from the South Exit (南口, Minami). Further instructions on where to meet the Expert Guide will be sent to you before the tour.

By Car: Driving is not recommended by the museum, as there is no parking upon arrival.

Payment

All bookings are payable via Stripe (Booking Checkout) or Flywire. Confirmations regarding your booking will be sent at least two weeks before your activity date.

Cancellation Policy

Museum’s Guidelines

The following rules were set by Ghibli Museum to make your stay at the museum pleasant, safe and comfortable:

• Bring your passport. At the museum, staff will check that the name (or lead passenger) on the ticket matches with your passport.
• Photography and video recording are not allowed inside the Museum (“The Ghibli Museum is a portal to a storybook world. As the main character in a story, we ask that you experience the Museum space with your own eyes and senses, instead of through a camera’s viewfinder. We ask that you make what you experienced in the Museum the special memory that you take home with you.”)
• Admission into the Saturn Theater will be limited to one screening per person.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited on the premises of the Museum.
• Please turn off all mobile phones. You are also asked not to use mobile phones outside the Museum building where they may disturb others.
• Those who are sensitive to light should be aware that in the Permanent Exhibition Room, there is an exhibit that flashes bright bursts of stroboscopic light.
• The garden roof may be closed in case of inclement weather.
• The Cat Bus is for elementary school children and under only.
• Eating and drinking are prohibited inside the Museum. Anyone who has brought food or beverages to the Museum must eat or drink on the Cafe’s outside deck only (The deck area may be closed in case of inclement weather) and take with them any litter he/she has created.
• Please leave baby carriages at the designated storage area. Coin lockers are available for small bags and parcels. For large luggage, please contact our Museum staff for assistance.
• It is prohibited to enter the Museum with dangerous objects.
• Pets (except seeing-eye or guide dogs) are not allowed in the Museum.
• Any activities which may interfere with the operation of the Museum, either inside the Museum or in the facilities related to the Museum, are strictly prohibited.
• The Museum reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone who might interfere with other visitors or cause trouble to others in the Museum.
• No re-entry to the Museum is allowed.
• The Museum or its related service providers are not responsible for accidents caused by visitors’ negligence.
• Visitor parking is not available at the Museum. You are kindly requested not to come to the Museum by car.
• Meetings, speeches, distribution of leaflets, and exhibits and sales of goods are prohibited within the Museum.
• Photography or video recording of the Museum for commercial purposes is not allowed.
• Ticket purchase for resale is not allowed.

How far in advance should I book?

Make a reservation as early as possible and ideally, at least a month in advance. Tickets go on sale every 10th of the month for the following month (we stop accepting bookings on the 4th of the previous month of the ticket date). For example, February tickets will go on sale on January 10th (we stop accepting ticket bookings on January 4th).