Home to all things Ghibli, this museum showcases works and displays related to the beloved animation studio.

ghibli films
Ghibli Museum Mitaka. | Photo by iStock.com/mizoula

Permanent exhibitions

In the main exhibition area, fans can see Hayao Miyazaki’s journals and drawings. There is also an indoor play area where visitors can come face-to-face with a true-to-size Cat Bus.

Other things to see include a five-meter-tall statue of the Robot Soldier from Castle in the Sky and the Saturn Theater, where visitors can watch an original short animated film. These films are only shown at the museum, so don’t miss them.

Museum facilities

Ghibli Museum cafe
Have a light lunch or dessert. | Photo by Adriana Paradiso

The museum has a cozy little tearoom where you can enjoy a cute cappuccino and light meal. There’s also a gift shop where you can pick up exclusive memorabilia.

How to buy tickets for Ghibli Museum

You need to buy tickets for well in advance. At the moment, the only way to get them is via Lawson Ticket (available in English here). Tickets are released on the 10th of each month, for the following month. For example, tickets for February go on sale on January 10th. They often sell out — so make sure to get in quick. Check out our full guide for more info on how to get tickets.

Tickets cost ¥1,000 for people aged 19 and over. Children’s tickets range from ¥100 to ¥700 depending on their age, and children under 3 are free.

Pro tip: Couldn’t get a ticket in time? Check out this tour from Klook that includes entry to the Ghibli Museum — you might find that they have tickets available on dates that are otherwise sold out. Otherwise, not to worry there are still plenty of ways to get your Ghibli fix in Tokyo.

How to get to Ghibli Museum

You can take the JR Chūō Line to Mitaka Station and then take a 15 minute walk to the museum.

There is also a community Ghibli-themed bus which runs from Mitaka Station every 10 to 20 minutes. A round-trip fare is ¥320 for adults and ¥160 for children. You will need to purchase a ticket at the vending machine by bus stop Number 9.

Things to do nearby

The Ghibli Museum is in Kichijōji, a fashionable neighborhood in the western suburbs of Tokyo. Besides this museum, the main thing to see is the picturesque Inokashira Park.

Frequently asked questions

Is it hard to get Ghibli Museum tickets?

Tickets for the Ghibli Museum can sell out very fast, especially for weekends and holiday periods. We recommend buying the tickets on the day they release (the 10th of each month). It also helps to be flexible with your schedule so you can book a different day if your first preference is sold out.

Can foreigners buy tickets for the Ghibli Museum?

Yes, you can buy tickets from overseas via Lawson Ticket. It’s available in English, so you don’t need to worry about language barriers.

How long do you need for the Ghibli Museum?

We recommend giving yourself at least 2 hours to fully appreciate the Ghibli Museum.

Other Kichijōji Attractions