Visiting the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka: A Simple Guide and My Honest Impressions

How I Ended Up at the Ghibli Museum

I’ve always enjoyed listening to Studio Ghibli soundtracks, but I wouldn’t really call myself a hardcore Ghibli fan. I had watched Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and My Neighbour Totoro, and after booking the museum tickets, I finally watched Porco Rosso as well.
For me, visiting the Ghibli Museum was more about curiosity and appreciating how animation is made rather than pure fandom—and in the end, the visit felt very special.

Booking Ghibli Museum Tickets

The tickets for the Ghibli Museum open on the 10th of each month for the following month. Since we wanted to go on May 8th, I booked ours on April 10th. The website opens at 10 a.m. Japan time, and if you want an early time slot, it’s best to log in right when the system opens. It honestly felt similar to booking Idol concert tickets.

I kept refreshing before 10 a.m., but when I finally got in, the earliest slots were already gone. I ended up choosing the 12 p.m. entry, which was the second-earliest option.
There are four time slots available: 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.

How to Get to the Ghibli Museum: Walk or Shuttle?

Most people use Mitaka Station because there is a shuttle bus from there. But if you enjoy walking, both Mitaka Station and Kichijoji Station are about 15–20 minutes away on foot. It’s a simple route with clear signs, so you won’t get lost.

A few transportation notes:

• The Tokyo Metro passes don’t cover Mitaka or Kichijoji. If you use the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass or Tokyo Free Kippu, you can travel only as far as Nishi-Ogikubo. After that, you pay: ¥140 to Kichijoji or ¥170 to Mitaka (as of September 2025).

• If you prefer not to walk, the shuttle from Mitaka Station is the easiest option.

We originally planned to take the shuttle bus, but the weather was so nice that we decided to walk instead. The walk through the quiet residential area felt calm and relaxing—almost like a warm-up before entering the museum.
After our visit, we walked through Inokashira Park on the way to Kichijoji Station, which was just as enjoyable.

You won't get lost if you just follow these signs👍

Inside the Ghibli Museum

Photos and videos are allowed outside the building, but not inside. At the entrance, you must store your bags in lockers and then explore the museum at your own pace with the map they provide.

There’s no fixed route, but I personally recommend watching the museum’s short film at the end. You get one free short movie with your ticket. Even though there are no English subtitles, seeing all the exhibits beforehand—like the sketches, animation frames, and how motion is created—makes the short film much more meaningful. It becomes easier to appreciate how much work goes into each scene.

My Thoughts on the Visit

Even if you’re not a big Ghibli fan, the museum is worth visiting at least once. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at movement, animation, and illustration. As someone who enjoys motion graphics as a hobby, I found the details fascinating.

However, I did notice that there isn’t much English signage or explanation inside the museum. My husband doesn’t speak Japanese, so I paid more attention to this. The exhibits can still be enjoyed visually, but a bit more English guidance would definitely help international visitors.

Ghibli Museum Ticket Prices 

• Adults: 1,000 yen

• Middle & High School Students: 700 yen

• Primary School Students: 400 yen

• Children under 4: Free

For the quality of the museum experience, the price felt fair.

A Personal Note: AI and Ghibli-Style Images

Lately, it’s become popular for people to turn their own photos into “Ghibli-style” images using AI and set them as profile pictures. Watching this trend grow, I had mixed feelings. I know how much time and effort the Ghibli Museum artists put into creating each frame.

So while AI technology is interesting, it also feels a little bittersweet to see such careful craftsmanship turned into something used so casually—almost like a simple filter.

Places to Explore Near the Ghibli Museum

If you’re already on the Sobu–Chuo line, there are many great neighbourhoods nearby:

• Nakano: Explore Nakano Broadway and Nakano Sun Mall, famous for anime-related goods and collectibles.

• Koenji: A great area if you like vintage clothing, small retro shops, and a slightly alternative atmosphere

• Ogikubo: Famous for ramen, especially seafood-based broth. Popular shops include:

1. Misokko Fuku
2. Harukiya Honten
3. Ramen Jiro Ten
4. Uchoku (迂直)
5. This is Ramen (and many more)

• Kichijoji: Often ranked as one of the most desirable places to live in Tokyo. You’ll find small Japanese-style shops, clothing stores, home goods, and trendy items in the little side streets.

Final Thoughts

The Ghibli Museum isn’t only about nostalgia. It shows the creativity, effort, and imagination behind Studio Ghibli films. Whether you are a Ghibli fan or just someone curious about animation, it’s a unique cultural experience worth trying at least once.

👉After visiting the Ghibli Museum, how about trying abura soba in Higashi-Koenji near Mitaka? If you’re curious about my review of an abura soba place that was selected as one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Abura Soba restaurants in 2024, click [Here].

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.