Standing amidst a lush natural park is a robot much larger than any woman! This is the "Robot Soldier" from the immensely popular Studio Ghibli film "Laputa: Castle in the Sky."
In Mitaka,Tokyo, there is a dedicated Studio Ghibli animation museum called the "Ghibli Museum, Mitaka," nestled in a nature-rich park a bit away from the city. Let's take a peek into what kind of Ghibli world unfolds in this museum!
At the reception, Totoro warmly welcomes visitors
As you stroll through the Mitaka no Mori along Kichijoji Street, you'll see a building with a gentle appearance.
At the reception, one of the beloved characters from Studio Ghibli's popular films, "Totoro," greets you! It's incredibly adorable to see "Makkurokurosuke"(a dust bunny) peeking out from the hole below.
Totoro and Makkurokurosuke are characters from "My Neighbor Totoro," an animated feature film set in Japan in the early 1950s. The film depicts Satsuki and Mei, sisters of the Kusakabe family who have moved to the countryside, and their interaction with Totoro, a mysterious creature said to be able to see them only when they are children. "My Neighbor Totoro" is considered a highly famous film, known to virtually every Japanese person.
While it's said that you can only meet Totoro during childhood, rest assured that you can easily encounter him as an adult at the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka!
Not sure what you'll get? Tickets made from movie films!
Visits to the museum are by appointment only. To ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors, advance ticket purchases are required. However, it's not a timed-entry system, so once inside, you can fully enjoy it at your own pace!
The admission ticket given at the reception features an anime scene. What's fascinating is that these tickets are actually made from movie film used at Studio Ghibli!
Each piece has a different scene, so you will want to collect them all. When visiting with your friends or family, it can be interesting to compare and see what scenes are on each other's tickets.
Meet the "Guardian Deity" overlooking the rooftop garden
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka are not only art museums but also have beautiful courtyards. On the rooftop, you'll find a garden where a powerful 5-meter-tall robot will welcome you. He is the "Robot Soldier" from the animated film "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" and is said to be the "guardian deity" of this museum.
"Laputa: Castle in the Sky" is Studio Ghibli's first animated film, based on the flying island "Laputa kingdom" from Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels." It follows the adventure of a young apprentice mechanic, Pazu, working in a mining town, and a mysterious flying stone, along with the girl Sheeta who descends from the sky. Similar to "My Neighbor Totoro," this film is also immensely popular in Japan.
The "Robot Soldier" is an important character in the story. If you haven't seen "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" yet, be sure to watch it! When you encounter him in this garden, it will surely evoke deep emotions.
Studio Ghibli, Creating Internationally Acclaimed Animation
Credit: Studio Ghibli
To date, Studio Ghibli films have won awards at major film festivals worldwide, including the Academy Awards, Cannes Film Festival, and Berlin International Film Festival.
In particular, "Spirited Away" achieved significant success, surpassing 31.6 billion yen in box office revenue and becoming the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time. It also won the Golden Bear at the 52nd Berlin International Film Festival. In 2017, it was ranked second in The New York Times' selection of the best foreign-language films of the 21st century, solidifying its status as a globally cherished work.
Do you know why Studio Ghibli films are enjoyed not only in Japan but around the world?
Studio Ghibli films are acclaimed for their strong social messages and fantastical worldviews featuring imaginative characters. Additionally, the presence of adventurous and vibrant female protagonists in many works is considered one of their charms.
Indeed, characters like Nausicaä from "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" and Kiki from "Kiki's Delivery Service" show it!
By paying attention to the female characters in Studio Ghibli films, you may discover new insights when revisiting the stories.
Let's Wander into the World of Ghibli!
Hayao Miyazaki, the director of Studio Ghibli and the founder of the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, created this wonderful museum with the delightful words, "The museum that, more than when you entered, leaves you a little richer when you leave."
Nowadays, the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka attracts not only Japanese visitors but fans from all around the world. However, due to the desire for visitors to "see and experience with their own eyes," photography and video recording inside the museum are prohibited. Therefore, what we can share with you this time is only a "tiny part" of the museum.
Has your interest in the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka been piqued? When you visit Japan, be sure to step into the world of Studio Ghibli and experience it for yourself!
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