By SUSUMU IMAIZUMI/ Staff Writer
March 17, 2022 at 07:00 JST
A concept drawing of “Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse” area ((c) Studio Ghibli)
NAGAKUTE, Aichi Prefecture--Fans can now finally begin counting the days until the opening of an amusement park themed on Studio Ghibli Inc.’s animated movies here.
Three of five areas of Ghibli Park being built in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park will open on Nov. 1, a year before its full opening in fall 2023, the prefectural government has announced.
While “Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse,” “Hill of Youth” and “Dondoko Forest” are scheduled to open early, the first two areas were shown to the media for the first time on Jan. 27.
A tower looking like a Western-style castle was seen at the far end of the front gate. The impressive structure is called the “Elevator Building,” which is similar to buildings with a science fantasy design featured in “Castle in the Sky” and “Howl's Moving Castle.”
With construction close to the final stage, the entire park was gradually beginning to take shape at the site.
“I think it will be best if all visitors discover their own way to enjoy the park, said director Goro Miyazaki, who serves as general producer for the facility.
He is the eldest son of Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. The project is being jointly carried out by the Aichi prefectural government and the world-renowned anime studio.
In the Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse area, visitors will be received in a garden in ruins, which is modeled after one featured in “Castle in the Sky.”
An eating and drinking facility re-creating the restaurant street that appears in the opening of “Spirited Away” will also be built.
Reservations for assigned times will be necessary to enter the park.
The remaining two areas, “Valley of Witches” and “Monnoke Village,” will open in fall 2023.
The total project cost is about 34 billion yen ($294 million), with the prefectural government covering the full amount.
Aichi Prefecture expects Ghibli Park to attract 1.8 million visitors a year after its full opening.
It estimates that the park can bring economic benefits worth 48 billion yen to the prefecture a year.
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