Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Our group had reservations at the museum for 3:30 or 4:00 PM (don’t remember which). Photography is strictly prohibited inside the Ghibli Museum to ensure visitors can fully experience and enjoy the unique, detailed world. This is why we only have pictures from the outside and the rooftop.
Inside you will see (and more):
- The Robot Soldier: A large, weathered robot stands guard on the roof, a direct reference to the film Castle in the Sky.
- Ghibli Characters: You’ll spot beloved characters like Totoro peering out from windows or integrated into the building’s design.
- Signage: The entrance sign prominently displays “Ghibli Museum, Mitaka” (三鷹の森ジブリ美術館).
- Window Details: The windows themselves are colorful and varied, reflecting the museum’s fantastical interior.
- Gift shop
- Cafetaria
We wandered the several floors that showcase both Ghibli productions and characters, as well as different areas detailing how the animations are conceived, developed, and fully realized.
Towards the end of our visit, we watched a short animated movie, “Water Spider Monmon” (水グモもんもん, Mizugumo Monmon) in the Saturn Theater. We stayed until closing time before heading back to the bus, which took us back to the Keio Plaza Hotel (京王プラザホテル) 🗾. After that, we decided to find dinner in the nearby Shinjuku area.