Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Studio Ghibli's whimsical museum in Mitaka, designed by Hayao Miyazaki. Entry is advance-ticket-only with a fixed date and time slot — and tickets sell out fast.
Studio Ghibli's museum in Mitaka, designed by Hayao Miyazaki (opened 2001). Admission is by advance, date-and-time-specified ticket only — there are NO same-day tickets at the door.
- English OK
Good to know for otaku
- Getting there
- JR Mitaka Station (Chuo Line), South Exit — ~15 min walk or community bus (~5 min, ¥230) Open in Google Maps ↗
- English
- English-friendly
- Photos
- Not allowed
- Entry / charge
- Adults (19+) ¥1,000; 13–18 ¥700; 7–12 ¥400; 4–6 ¥100; under 4 free (advance ticket only)
- Payment
- cash / cards / ic
- Reservation
- required
Opening hours
- Monday
- 10:00–18:00
- Tuesday
- 10:00–18:00
- Wednesday
- 10:00–18:00
- Thursday
- 10:00–18:00
- Friday
- 10:00–18:00
- Saturday
- 10:00–18:00
- Sunday
- 10:00–18:00
Known for
What it is
The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka is Studio Ghibli's museum, conceived and designed by Hayao Miyazaki and opened in October 2001. The maze-like building has exhibits on the art of animation, a small theater (the 'Saturn Theater') that screens original short films you can only see here, a rooftop with a life-size Robot Soldier from 'Castle in the Sky', the 'Catbus' room, a café and the Mamma Aiuto! shop. Photography is not allowed inside the exhibits.
Tickets — advance only (read this first)
Entry is by advance reservation only, for a specific date AND time slot (10:00 / 12:00 / 14:00 / 16:00). There are NO tickets at the museum, and slots routinely sell out, especially weekends/holidays. Prices: adult (19+) ¥1,000; ¥700 (13–18); ¥400 (7–12); ¥100 (4–6); free under 4. How overseas visitors buy: the main channel is the official Lawson Ticket online site (linked from the museum's English Tickets page). Each month's tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. JST on the 10th of the previous month, and popular slots can sell out within minutes — buy the moment they release. The ticket is tied to the buyer's name, so bring matching photo ID (passport). Open 10:00–18:00, closed Tuesdays plus maintenance/exhibit-change and New Year periods — check the official calendar before booking travel.
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- English OK