I visited the Ghibli museum in Mitaka last week for my story on Miyazaki Hayao.
Last time I was there it had only been open for a couple of years. This time I was struck by just how Ghibli-esque the whole area around the museum has become. The park by the museum, Inokashira Koen, is really wild and natural. A lovely little overgrown stream leads all the way from the station to the museum. The odd Totoro pops up along the way too.
Miyazaki built the museum to slowy blend into the park. The giant robot on top of the museum is already half hidden by Autumn grass. One of the PR people told me it is their “guardian spirit” (mamorigami)
The museum was designed specially for children by Miyzaki.
This is a replica of Miyazaki’s ideal atelier (no computer, I noticed):
Unlike most Japanese museums (unlike Japan, in fact) there’s no official route. Perfect place to explore – and enjoy getting lost.
Here’s a link to an online gallery of all my Ghibli museum photos
Thank you for the insider’s look, Tony. It’s a pity they don’t show more pictures of it because it definitely looks like a warm and inviting place to be rather than something only people who love Ghibli (like me) would want to see.
Hi Danielle. It’s definitely the friendliest museum I’ve been to in Tokyo, and the park next door is lovely.
[...] a piece on Miyazaki Hayao, one of my favourite directors, and he was given permission to take some photos inside the Ghibli Museum. I haven’t made it there yet but it looks like the most warm and inviting museum I’ve [...]
Going to the official site you linked sparked a little blog post for me so I’ve given you copious link love in the intro – hope that’s ok :)
Great pictures. I agree with Danielle – it’s a shame that they don’t let more pictures get out. Makes me want to visit it more than I did before I had any sort of mental image of it. Where will your story about the museum appear?
Hi Deas. I write for an online magazine called Highlighting Japan. There will be a little article on the museum as part of a larger piece on Miyazaki in January.