Ghibli Museum (Mitaka) Tokyo Itinerary + How to Purchase Tickets
If you want to visit the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, this guide is for you! Here, youโll find tips for purchasing tickets and a Ghibli Museum day itinerary that includes Totoro cream puffs and the beautiful Inokashira Park.
โก๏ธ Read Next: โWhat you need to book BEFORE traveling to Japanโ
Ghibli Museum Overview
The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is easily accessible if youโre staying in Tokyo. Itโs located in Inokashira Park in Mitaka, a city in western Tokyo. The museum showcases the art, history, and world of the Japanese animation studioโStudio Ghibli.
The minute you step inside, you immediately feel as if youโve been transported straight into one of Studio Ghibliโs films. The intricate details of the building nod to a world that feels uniquely Ghibli.
As a big fan, I loved visiting and learning more about the studioโs animation process. Thereโs even an exclusive film shown only to museum visitors.
The Ghibli Museum is great for kids and adults.
How to Purchase Ghibli Museum Tickets
The cheapest way to purchase Ghibli Museum tickets is through the Lawsonโs Website; however, it does not have the best user experience. Iโve read from other reviews that itโs not great for booking big groups and can be really slow. It does have the best price point, though!
If youโre staying in a premium hotel, you can call their concierge and see if they can help book your ticket in advance.
Or you can also buy tickets from Lawson stores once youโre in Japan. But again, tickets are very popular, so tickets for the dates you want may be sold out.
In my opinion, the best and easiest option (although not the cheapest) would be to book thisย Ghibli Museum and Inokashira Park Walking Tour, which includes admission to the Ghibli Museum.
TIP: Holidays and weekends are very popular dates, so you can get tickets on weekdays better.
When do Ghibli Museum tickets go on sale?
Tickets must be purchased in advance, and they sell out quickly (within 30 minutes of being on sale!).
They become available a month prior. For example, tickets for March will become available in early February of that same year.
Tickets go on sale every 10th of the month at 10 am Japan time.
Ghibli Museum Tokyo Itinerary
Kichijลji Station.
This itinerary starts from Kichijoji Station. From here, walk to Shiro Higeโs Cream Puff Factory.
Shiro Hige Cream Puff (Kichijoji)
Three words: Totoro. Cream. Puffs.
Open 11 am to 5 pm every day except Tuesday.
I recommend arriving at Shiro Higeโs right when it opens to avoid waiting in a long line. Thereโs no place to sit, and itโs a small shop where you can pick up cream puffs and cookies.
We boxed our cream puffs and took them with us to eat on a bench in the nearby park (Inokashira Park).
Ghibli Museum
Plan for at least two hours to explore the different exhibitions, playgrounds, rooftop, and outdoor cafeteria.
Inokashira Park
Youโll have to walk through Inokashira Park to get to the Ghibli Museum. However, if your schedule pans out like ours, youโll probably be power-walking through it to get to the museum.
I recommend really taking your time as you stroll through the expansive park. The park is humongous and filled with small temples, large ponds, wildlife, and more!
You can ride swan boats through the pond during certain seasons, and thereโs a zoo with a guinea pig petting zoo (yes, GUINEA PIGS).
The fall colors and the spring cherry blossoms are a sight to see.
Explore the shopping area near the park
Near the park’s exit/entrance, there are many small souvenir shops and restaurants. You can find reasonably priced souvenirs here or stop for a quick bite to eat.
