Have you ever watch any Ghibli movies? Almost everyone in the world who ever watch animation movies would definitely know—or hear—Ghibli studio at one point of their life. Well, at least you would know that giant, furry forest monster named Totoro that made Ghibli Studio went worldwide. Behind the big name of Ghibli Studio, there’s one important man who seems almost inseparable from the studio’s success; Hayao Miyazaki.
Hayao Miyazaki, Ghibli Studio’s founder and main director for decades was not well known until the movie Princess Mononoke was directed in 1997 and her new film Spirited Away or Chihiro’s Journey was the first anime to win an Oscar. The name “Ghibli” comes from the Italian word for a hot desert wind (ghibli), and Hayao Miyazaki hoped that Studio Ghibli would “blow up a new wind in the cartoon industry.”
Who is Hayao Miyazaki?
He is without a doubt one of the greatest animation directors in the world. He was born in January 5, 1941 and is a Japanese director, producer, screenwriter, animator, author and artist to date.
Miyazaki aimed to create complex and lush worlds with as much attention to movement and detail as viewers could feel that these worlds can be real, no matter what fantastic or incredible events happened in the course of history.
The Ghibli Museum is dedicated to the work of the studio, as well as to light the mechanics of the world of animation. Although there are many references to adorable films within the museum, you do not have to be a fan of Studio Ghibli to appreciate this excellent artistic talent presented or to be completely seduced by the exhibitions! This museum is located in Mitaka on the edge of Tokyo’s Inokashira Park and to visit it you can buy the ticket online or Lawson (the known mini market in Japan) and it costs about 1,000 yen.
The first floor of the museum exhibits history and animation technique and has a small theater that shows short films created by Studio Ghibli specifically for the museum. The second floor is a temporary exhibition that changes every year. In addition you can find a lot of heroines from Ghibli movies, like Totoro and a real robot greatness of “The Castle in The Sky” on the garden roofs. There is also a café, a children’s park and a souvenir shop.
During your arrival, be prepared to wait a bit when the museum staff will check your ticket and passport. Also, photography is not allowed inside the museum, which is why this museum is full of mystery and excitement. Indeed, you do not worry that you do not understand a description at each exhibition, because you will find English speaking staff there.
