Photo/Illutration A conceptual drawing of Howl’s castle to be built in the “Majo no Tani” (Witch Valley) area. (The appearance will differ from the actual castle.) (c) Studio Ghibli

NAGOYA--Studio Ghibli fans who marveled at the fictional castle in "Howl's Moving Castle" will get to see it brought to life in Ghibli Park, which is currently under construction in Aichi Prefecture.

The castle was included in the fiscal 2021 projects announced on Feb. 3 by the Aichi prefectural government. Among those receiving funding include commencing construction of the two areas “Mononoke no Sato” (Mononoke’s Village) and “Majo no Tani” (Witch Valley), which are among the five areas in Ghibli Park.

The park, which is scheduled to open in autumn 2022, will be located in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture.

The total project cost is estimated at 34 billion yen ($323 million). Aichi is expected to fund 12.1 billion yen in fiscal 2021.

Ghibli Park will be a theme park based on animation films produced by Studio Ghibli Inc. Howl’s Castle, depicted in its 2004 animation film “Howl’s Moving Castle” will be built in the Majo no Tani area.

Aichi had started the construction of three other areas: “Seishun no Oka” (Youth Hill); “Jiburi no Daisoko” (Ghibli Large Warehouse); and “Dondoko Mori” (Dondoko Forest) during this fiscal year.

After the main construction of those three areas are completed in fiscal 2021, Aichi will begin to prepare for displays and demonstrations.

In the Jiburi no Daisoko area, which will house exhibition rooms and other facilities, the world will be reproduced based on Ghibli animation works, such as “Castle in the Sky.”

One year after the three areas open, the Mononoke no Sato and Majo no Tani areas are scheduled to open as well. 

In the Majo no Tani area, the 16-meter-high Howl’s Castle will be built. Guests can see the moving eyes-like cannons on the front of the castle and take a look inside at the bedroom and other features.

The Mononoke no Sato area will provide a hands-on learning facility with a motif featuring the “Tataraba” iron mill depicted in “The Princess Mononoke.”

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