【2026 Instant Booking】Ghibli Museum, Mitaka Tickets (LAWSON Pick-up / E-Voucher)

Introduction to Ghibli Museum, Mitaka

The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, also known as the Ghibli Museum, is an animation museum located in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan. Its official name is the Mitaka City Animation Museum. The museum is operated by the Tokuma Memorial Animation Culture Foundation, with revenue managed by Mamma Mia! Co., Ltd. The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka is the only museum themed around Hayao Miyazaki's animations. The castle‑like exterior is surrounded by greenery, and the interior is decorated with a fairytale charm. Miyazaki deliberately designed the layout so that "visitors get lost here," encouraging them to discover the little delights of the museum on their own. With careful observation, visitors will easily spot small Totoro sculptures around them. The most popular attractions inside include the never‑before‑shown short films by Miyazaki screened at the "Saturn Theater" on the ground floor, as well as the giant "Castle in the Sky" robot soldier standing on the rooftop. In addition, the museum tickets are made from Miyazaki animation film strips, making them highly collectible.

Highlights to See at Ghibli Museum, Mitaka ‑ Miyazaki's Works

Special Exhibition Room: Features rotating exhibitions themed around specific works, artists, and production studios;

Permanent Exhibition Room: Showcases the principles of animation, original animation cels, and recreates the atmosphere of a production studio, where visitors can view original drafts and materials from past Ghibli works;

The Cat Bus from "My Neighbor Totoro" (children can enter and play inside);

The robot soldier on the rooftop (ロボット兵, from the animated film "Castle in the Sky") and the central monolith of Laputa (inscribed with Laputan script);

Reading Room: Houses a collection of children's literature (such as Eiko Kadono's "Kiki's Delivery Service") and books related to Ghibli, which are available for purchase;

"Saturn Theater" (映像展示室): Screens animated films exclusively for the museum, as well as works related to the special exhibitions. The theater seats 80 people and features DTS audio;

Totoro's Ticket Booth (トトロのニセ受付);

Café "Straw Hat" (麦わらぼうし): Serves original dishes;

Shop "Mamma Mia!" (named after the air pirate gang from "Porco Rosso"): Sells souvenirs related to Studio Ghibli and the current exhibitions.

Tokyo Mitaka Ghibli Museum Insider Tips ‑ Point 1:

Giant Cat Bus from "My Neighbor Totoro" (ネコバス)

Location: On the second floor of the museum, in the dedicated children's playroom, next to the picture book reading room, Tri Hawks;

Design: A 1:1 scale, oversized soft plush model that faithfully recreates the movie details: big round yellow eyes, wide toothy grin, spotted fur, multiple soft paws, an open cabin space, and a fluffy long tail, all filled with soft cushions, perfectly recreating the lounging and playful feel of the bus from the film;

Note: Entry is limited to children up to 6th grade of elementary school (under 12 years old). Middle school students, teenagers, and adults are strictly prohibited from entering the bus and may only view and take photos from behind the barrier.

Tokyo Mitaka Ghibli Museum Insider Tips ‑ Point 2:

Giant Robot Soldier from "Castle in the Sky"

1. Location: Take the spiral staircase from the third floor of the museum to reach the rooftop garden, which is the only outdoor area in the museum where photography is allowed. All indoor exhibition areas are strictly no‑photography zones.

Material: The statue stands about 5 metres (16 feet) tall and is made of cast bronze. Sculptor Kunio Shimajima spent an entire year crafting it, faithfully recreating the design of Laputa's guardian robot from the film.

Origin: It is the guardian robot from the floating city of Laputa in "Castle in the Sky", symbolising a gentle guardian of nature—a mechanical life form that is peaceful rather than aggressive. Fans also call it the "Guardian of the Ghibli Museum".

2. Sculpture Detail Details

The torso features battle damage cracks and rust textures, recreating the worn‑out look from the war‑torn scenes in the film; the chest has an openwork design revealing the internal mechanical structure.

Spikes cover the shoulders and arms, and its massive, heavy metal feet stand firmly in the grass. Its head is a simple cylindrical shape with no fierce expression, standing quietly in the green garden, creating a gentle yet lonely atmosphere.

Next to it is a Laputa monolith, inscribed with the film's unique ancient Laputan script. Fans often try to decipher the inscriptions.

3. Viewing Experience Highlights

Being an open‑air space, natural light combined with the surrounding trees and plants creates completely different scenes on sunny days, snowy days, or at dusk. It is the number one photo spot in the entire museum.

Suggested route: Cat Bus playroom on the 2nd floor → third‑floor corridor → outdoor spiral staircase → rooftop robot garden. After exploring the entire indoor exhibition, head to the rooftop to finish with photos.

No age restrictions for entry; both adults and children can walk around the statue up close, take photos from various angles, or take a leisurely stroll around it.

Reference: Ghibli Museum, Mitaka Current Ticket Reservation & Opening Calendar: Grey indicates closed on that day

How to Get to Ghibli Museum, Tokyo? Latest Transport Guide

【JR Line】: Take the JR Chuo Line and get off at JR Mitaka Station. From the south exit of JR Mitaka Station, walk southeast along the Tamagawa Josui canal for about 15 minutes. There are directional signs for the Ghibli Museum along the Tamagawa Josui path.

【Bus Route】: From the south exit of Mitaka Station, you can also take the community bus (コミュニティバス) to the museum. There are 2 routes; get off at Ghibli Museum, Mitaka (三鷹の森ジブリ美術館).

· Route 1: Mitaka Station South Exit ‑ Murasaki Bridge ‑ Bunkaen Nishi ‑ Mansuke Bridge ‑ Ghibli Museum, Mitaka ‑ Meisei Gakuen Entrance ‑ Shimorenjaku ‑ Renjaku‑dori Shopping Street ‑ Minamiura ‑ Nakamachi‑dori ‑ Kitaura ‑ Honcho‑dori ‑ Mitaka Station South Exit.

From 7:20‑8:40, buses run every 20 minutes,

From 9:00‑18:50, buses run every 10 minutes,

Departures between 19:00‑20:00 are at 19:00, 19:10, 19:20, 19:25, and 20:00.

· Route 2: Mitaka Station South Exit ‑ Murasaki Bridge ‑ Bunkaen Nishi ‑ Mansuke Bridge ‑ Ghibli Museum, Mitaka ‑ Meisei Gakuen Entrance ‑ Koseien Ura ‑ Mure Nishimachi ‑ Meisei Gakuen Mae.

Departures from 7:35‑19:40, approximately every half hour.

LAWSON Convenience Store Ghibli Ticket Collection Guide

1. After arriving in Japan, find any LAWSON convenience store and locate the LOPPI machine inside.

2. Press the QR code option on the machine.

3. Scan the QR code here. The QR code is on the electronic reservation confirmation sent to you after completing your reservation (we recommend printing out the reservation details in advance).

4. After scanning, the screen will redirect to the ticket collection page.

5. Verify the details, then press the confirm button at the bottom right. Confirm again by selecting YES.

6. A receipt will be printed. Take this receipt to the counter and hand it to the staff to get your tickets.

7. Simply sign if required, take your tickets and head to Mitaka. (We recommend collecting your tickets one day in advance or as soon as you arrive; remember to keep your tickets safe.)