Ghibli Park has everything a hardcore Ghibli fan would want — except a place for them to toss their trash.
As reported by Yahoo! News, Studio Ghibli released a guide on their Twitter account for visitors to use when they enter the park. The guide, called the “Big Scroll” guide which references the opening song from My Neighbor Totoro includes characters like My Neighbor Totoro’s Mei being followed by two Totoros and Spirited Away’s Zeniba greeting the visitors and designed in such a way, so people can fold it in four and conveniently slip it in their pocket. On the last page is a reminder to visitors to bring their trash home with them as the park will not have any trash cans.
The Guide Includes Several Important Reminders
On the same page, the guide also includes a reminder for visitors to purchase tickets to the park through the official website. However, tickets are not available for purchase on the park’s opening day. In addition, the guide also contains a list of recommendations on what visitors should wear and bring when the weather is hot or cold. There’s a hand-drawn map detailing where the different attractions of Phase 1 are, as well as the Ghibli benches that have “forgotten items” on them. While the park does not allow outside food, it points visitors to the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, where they can eat.
In anticipation of the park’s grand opening, Studio Ghibli released preview images of what visitors can expect to see, such as the train Chihiro rides in Spirited Away and Totoro slumbering away in his tree. There is also the life-size replica of Mei and Satsuki’s house from My Neighbor Totoro with the iconic colorful bento box waiting inside and Yubaba engrossed in counting her money at her desk. In addition, visitors can catch a glimpse of the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro.
Located within the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, near Nagoya, Ghibli Park acts as a commemoration of the studio’s legendary films. The builders took extra care to build around the park’s natural greenery, striving not to cut down any trees to make room for its attractions. Phase 1 features the Hill of Youth, Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse and Dondoko Forest. Visitors will find traces of Castle in the Sky, Howl’s Moving Castle, The Cat Returns and Whispers of the Heart in the Hill of Youth. The Grand Warehouse features a children’s playground, an exhibition room that will air the same short films found in the Ghibli museum and the Laputian Robot from Laputa. Deep inside Dondoko Forest lies Satsuki and Mei’s house as well as a Totoro-shaped statue.
Open from 10 AM to 5 PM on weekdays, except for Tuesdays, and 9 AM to 5 PM on public holidays and weekends, Phase 1 of the theme park will open on Nov. 1.
Source: Twitter, via Yahoo! News
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