Studio Ghibli’s Theme Park Releases More Illustrations of Its Imaginative Attractions

Illustrations of Ghibli Park Attractions

Ghibli daisoko “Ghibli Warehouse”

One of Studio Ghibli‘s most anticipated projects is not another animated feature; instead, it's a unique theme park based on past films. Called Ghibli Park, this immersive amusement park is set to open on November 1, 2022, with some of the areas scheduled to be completed the following fall, in 2023. While fans wait, however, they can pore over new illustrations of some of the sites that will be available to see.

Unlike other amusement parks, Ghibli Park will not have rides, though. It will feature imaginative buildings and gardens based on locations depicted in their movies. The park will be divided into five main areas, each of which centers around a specific theme and film. The area closest to the park's entrance is Seishun no oka (translated as “the hill of youth”), which is based on the architecture of Howl's Moving Castle—set in a 19th-century fantasy world—and the farmhouse in the 1995 film Whisper of the Heart.

For those that are interested in a behind-the-scenes look at Ghibli films, there is Area 2: Ghibli daisoko (“Ghibli Warehouse”). Here, visitors will be able to see memorabilia from some of the animation, unique exhibitions, and select film screenings. Dondoko mori (“Dondoko Forest”) is the third area that will be open in 2022, and it's based on one of Studio Ghibli's most famous movies, My Neighbor Totoro. This section of the park will include a replica of the farmhouse in the film as well as an abundance of trees and trails.

Two areas that are due to open in 2023 are Mononoke no sato (“Mononoke Village”) and Majo no tani (“Valley of the Witch”). The former celebrates the film Princess Mononoke, featuring a real-life Tataraba irontown, numerous sculptures of the creatures from the story, and an abundance of plant life. Majo no tani will be based on Kiki's Delivery Service, with a replica of Kiki's childhood home and the baker's home she lives in for the majority of the movie. This location is where visitors will be able to see the real-life installation of the castle from Howl's Moving Castle, as well.

Scroll down to see more illustrations of Ghibli Park's attractions.