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NEWS
Studio Ghibli theme park moves towards 2022 opening
POSTED 09 Jan 2019 . BY Andy Knaggs
The Studio Ghibli theme park will replicate popular scenes from the studio's animated movies Credit: Studio Ghibli
New details and designs have been revealed about a proposed Studio Ghibli theme park, which was first announced in 2017 and is now set to open in Japan in 2022.

The park will showcase five special zones drawn from the iconic anime movies produced by the studio and its legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki, and will be situated across a 200 hectare site in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture, which was previously used for the 2005 World Expo.

This site already features a replica of Mei and Satsuki’s house from the Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro, and the surrounding land will replicate Totoro’s rural hometown from the film. This zone will be called the “Dondoko Forest Area” at the theme park.

Further zones include the “Youth Hill Area”, featuring a giant steampunk elevator inspired by Howl’s Moving Castle and a full-sized replica of the Chikyuya antique shop from Whisper of the Heart; the “Ghibli Large Warehouse Area”, which will have an exhibition room, video exhibition room, playing areas, shops and cafes; “Mononoke’s Village Area”, which is dedicated to Princess Mononoke, with a rural Japanese landscape where visitors can learn about traditional charcoal grilling; and the “Witches Valley Area”, inspired in look and feel by Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle, and with restaurants and rest areas included.

It is reported that designs and financial details are still being finalised according to the Aichi Prefectural Government, and that construction will begin in 2020 with the first zones ready to open by autumn 2022, and all five zones open in 2023.

A Studio Ghibli museum already exists in Tokyo, housing artwork and merchandise from the animation studio.
Split into five zones, the park is dotted with familiar figures from the iconic movies Credit: Studio Ghibli
The Witches Valley Area is one of the five zones Credit: Studio Ghibli
The park will cover a 200 hectare site in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan Credit: Studio Ghibli
Play areas, shops and cafes will all add to the customer experience Credit: Studio Ghibli
RELATED STORIES
  Studio Ghibli announces plans to open My Neighbour Totoro anime theme park


Studio Ghibli has announced plans for a theme park based on its iconic anime movies, with the attraction to open its doors in 2020 on the site of the 2005 World Expo near Nagoya in Japan.
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Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
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NEWS
Studio Ghibli theme park moves towards 2022 opening
POSTED 09 Jan 2019 . BY Andy Knaggs
The Studio Ghibli theme park will replicate popular scenes from the studio's animated movies Credit: Studio Ghibli
New details and designs have been revealed about a proposed Studio Ghibli theme park, which was first announced in 2017 and is now set to open in Japan in 2022.

The park will showcase five special zones drawn from the iconic anime movies produced by the studio and its legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki, and will be situated across a 200 hectare site in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture, which was previously used for the 2005 World Expo.

This site already features a replica of Mei and Satsuki’s house from the Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro, and the surrounding land will replicate Totoro’s rural hometown from the film. This zone will be called the “Dondoko Forest Area” at the theme park.

Further zones include the “Youth Hill Area”, featuring a giant steampunk elevator inspired by Howl’s Moving Castle and a full-sized replica of the Chikyuya antique shop from Whisper of the Heart; the “Ghibli Large Warehouse Area”, which will have an exhibition room, video exhibition room, playing areas, shops and cafes; “Mononoke’s Village Area”, which is dedicated to Princess Mononoke, with a rural Japanese landscape where visitors can learn about traditional charcoal grilling; and the “Witches Valley Area”, inspired in look and feel by Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle, and with restaurants and rest areas included.

It is reported that designs and financial details are still being finalised according to the Aichi Prefectural Government, and that construction will begin in 2020 with the first zones ready to open by autumn 2022, and all five zones open in 2023.

A Studio Ghibli museum already exists in Tokyo, housing artwork and merchandise from the animation studio.
Split into five zones, the park is dotted with familiar figures from the iconic movies Credit: Studio Ghibli
The Witches Valley Area is one of the five zones Credit: Studio Ghibli
The park will cover a 200 hectare site in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan Credit: Studio Ghibli
Play areas, shops and cafes will all add to the customer experience Credit: Studio Ghibli
RELATED STORIES
Studio Ghibli announces plans to open My Neighbour Totoro anime theme park


Studio Ghibli has announced plans for a theme park based on its iconic anime movies, with the attraction to open its doors in 2020 on the site of the 2005 World Expo near Nagoya in Japan.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
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COMPANY PROFILES
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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