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NEWS
Hayao Miyazaki's magical landscapes to become a reality with plans for nature theme park
POSTED 24 Sep 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Miyazaki's Oscar-winning films have all been based around nature
Oscar-winning filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has revealed plans to create real-life versions of the landscapes from his imaginative anime films, with designs for a 10,000-acre (40,000sq m) nature park on a remote island off the coast of Japan.

Miyazaki, who retired from filmmaking in 2013, will recreate the magical worlds seen in classics such as Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and My Neighbour Totoro, at the theme park on Kume Island in Okinawa, known as The Forest Where the Wind Returns.

As with Miyazaki’s films, the unique attraction will be centred around nature. Included on the forest-filled island will be a library, accommodation to sleep up to 30 people and as few man-made attractions as possible. Existing playground equipment will be replaced with “an interactive site where children can enjoy nature through five senses.”

An investment of ¥300m (US$2.5m, €2.2m, £1.6m) will be made by Miyazaki, with development of facilities and landscaping starting in Q2 of 2016 and an opening date of 2018. Okinawa-based design firm Kume Creation are working on both architecture and landscape architecture for the project.

Miyazaki has said once complete, he will donate the park to Kumejima – the town of 8,000 people which inhabits part of Kume. The development will be built with a "made in Kumejima" ethos, making sure local construction materials are used and the opinions of the island’s citizens are taken into account.
Okinawa-based design firm Kume Creation are working on both architecture and landscape architecture for the project
PROJECT PROFILE:

The Forest Where the Wind Returns
Oscar-winning filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has revealed plans to create real-life versions of the landscapes from his imaginative anime films, unveiling designs for a 10,000-acre (40,000sq m) nature park on a remote island off the coast of Japan.


RELATED STORIES
  Proposed Universal theme park on Okinawa drops Universal branding


Following reports that representatives from Universal Studios Japan were looking into potentially opening a new theme park on the island of Okinawa, the interested party has taken the rather surprising step of dropping the well-established Universal name in favour of the unknown ‘Nangoku Resort’.
  Universal Studios Japan plans second park on Okinawa


Universal Studios Japan’s president, Glenn Gumpel, has said the theme park is looking to build a second development on the sub-tropical island of Okinawa – more than 1,500km (932 miles) away from its existing park on mainland Japan.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news   

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Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
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NEWS
Hayao Miyazaki's magical landscapes to become a reality with plans for nature theme park
POSTED 24 Sep 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Miyazaki's Oscar-winning films have all been based around nature
Oscar-winning filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has revealed plans to create real-life versions of the landscapes from his imaginative anime films, with designs for a 10,000-acre (40,000sq m) nature park on a remote island off the coast of Japan.

Miyazaki, who retired from filmmaking in 2013, will recreate the magical worlds seen in classics such as Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and My Neighbour Totoro, at the theme park on Kume Island in Okinawa, known as The Forest Where the Wind Returns.

As with Miyazaki’s films, the unique attraction will be centred around nature. Included on the forest-filled island will be a library, accommodation to sleep up to 30 people and as few man-made attractions as possible. Existing playground equipment will be replaced with “an interactive site where children can enjoy nature through five senses.”

An investment of ¥300m (US$2.5m, €2.2m, £1.6m) will be made by Miyazaki, with development of facilities and landscaping starting in Q2 of 2016 and an opening date of 2018. Okinawa-based design firm Kume Creation are working on both architecture and landscape architecture for the project.

Miyazaki has said once complete, he will donate the park to Kumejima – the town of 8,000 people which inhabits part of Kume. The development will be built with a "made in Kumejima" ethos, making sure local construction materials are used and the opinions of the island’s citizens are taken into account.
Okinawa-based design firm Kume Creation are working on both architecture and landscape architecture for the project
RELATED STORIES
Proposed Universal theme park on Okinawa drops Universal branding


Following reports that representatives from Universal Studios Japan were looking into potentially opening a new theme park on the island of Okinawa, the interested party has taken the rather surprising step of dropping the well-established Universal name in favour of the unknown ‘Nangoku Resort’.
Universal Studios Japan plans second park on Okinawa


Universal Studios Japan’s president, Glenn Gumpel, has said the theme park is looking to build a second development on the sub-tropical island of Okinawa – more than 1,500km (932 miles) away from its existing park on mainland Japan.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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