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Are you ‘Spirited Away’ by all things Studio Ghibli & Tokyo bound soon?
Tokyo has many official Studio Ghibli attractions as well as some that are said to have been inspired by Ghibli.
From edible My Neighbour Totoro cream-puffs to Studio Ghibli shops (Donguri Republic), Ghibli museums to day-trips, there are superb Studio Ghibli things to do in Tokyo to suit all tastes and budgets (some attractions are free too).
As ‘The Wind Rises’, be sure to check out these best Studio Ghibli activities and things to do in Tokyo, Japan:
You might like – Our honest review of Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse near Nagoya, Japan >
Ginza Ghibli clock / Ni-Tele Really Big Clock
We start our Studio Ghibli Tokyo list with one of the most unique Studio Ghibli inspired attractions ( it is free to visit too) – the Ginza Ghibli clock!
A little bit of steampunk and Studio Ghibli in Tokyo’s Ginza neighbourhood, make sure to make ‘time’ to see this colossal and cool clock!
Created by Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki and built by Kunio Shachimaru, the Ginza Ghibli clock (AKA Ni-Tele Really Big Clock) has to be seen to be believed and is located at the Shiodome Media Tower
Recently named as one of Tokyo’s best public art sculptures, the Ghibli clock and surrounding artwork is around 18 metres long and twelve metres high and comes to life several times a day in a three minute show that runs like ‘clockwork’ (sorry not sorry).
Said to be inspired by Howl’s Moving Castle, the clock springs into life five times a day on weekdays (at 12pm, 1pm, 3pm, 6pm and 8pm) and six times a day on weekends – 10am, 12pm, 1pm, 3pm, 6pm and 8pm.
Although a water feature acts as a natural barrier to the clock, the walkways allow you to get up pretty close to the Ni-Tele Really Big Clock. Unlike say the Ghibli Museum, the Ghibli Hayao Miyazaki clock is also free to visit.
Read more in our guide to the Ghibli clock >
You might like – Plan My Japan’s guide to things to do in Ginza, Tokyo >
Studio Ghibli Donguri Republic stores in Tokyo
Ready for some Ghibli retail action? Be sure to arrive with an empty suitcase (or better yet, buy a Totoro themed one) by visiting a Donguri Republic store, the official Studio Republic store chain across Japan.
There are around five Donguri Republic Tokyo shops as of May 2024 including:
- One at the base of Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi
- Donguri Republic (Ghibli Store) DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba
- Donguri Kyowakoku (Ghibli Store) in Tokyo Ikebukuro
- Donguri Republic Tokyo Station Character Street (read more about all the shops at Tokyo Character Street here)
- Ghibli Acorn Republic LaLaport Tachikawa Tachihi
Not only do Donguri Republic in Tokyo sell everything from Totoro tea towels to Howl’s Moving Castle collectibles but they also often have huge Cat Buses or tremendous Totoro figures and scenes to pose with – too cute!
There is something to suit all budgets here from Studio Ghibli pin badges and magnets through to much more expensive limited editions items and merchandise.
Alas Donguri Republic Tokyo Stores don’t usually offer a delivery service (maybe Kiki can lend a hand…)
Read more in our guide to Studio Ghibli Donguri Republic stores >
You might like – 25+ things to do in Odaiba, Tokyo >
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, Tokyo
Likely the number one Studio Ghibli attraction in Tokyo for any die-hard fan, the Ghibli Museum is located on the western outskirts of the city in Mitaka (Inokashira Park).
Tickets to the Ghibli Museum can be bought in advance (although are often hard to come by) and you are transported into a fantastical world of wonderful Studio Ghibli scenes (although pictures are not allowed in most of the indoor exhibitions).
The Ghibli Museum brings to life scenes from the movies and details the thoughts, care and attention that goes into each animated film. There is also a Ghibli themed gift-shop to buy Ghibli gifts galore plus the sublime Saturn Theatre showing animated shorts.
Ghibli Museum is open daily from 10am to 8pm. Take the JR Chuo line from the JR Shinjuku Station to JR Mitaka station (around a 15 minute walk – alas there is no Cat Bus to assist).
Book your Ghibli Museum tickets and tours with Get Your Guide >
You might like – Guide to Don Quijote, Japan’s favourite discount store >
Totoro cream puffs at Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory
My Neighbour Totoro in food form? Yes please – take all our money now and fill our bellies!
The famous Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory was one of our many highlights when visiting the hipster Tokyo neighbourhood of Shimo-Kitazawa.
This Studio Ghibli bakery and cafe (located in Tolo coffee shop) can be found in a shaded back-street very close to the super cool Bonus Track creative park and cultural hub (shops and cafes galore).
Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory was established almost 20 years ago in 2007 and is one of the most popular Studio Ghibli inspired activities in Tokyo – it can however get very busy.
The Totoro cream puff flavours vary with custard and fresh cream available all year but the rest being seasonal flavors – think matcha, caramel banana cream, strawberry cream etc.
Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory and Totoro cream puff prices start from around 600 Yen per puff (around £3 / $3.80 USD as of May 2024).
After a small queue, we managed to get our Totoro cream puffs but alas the indoor seating area upstairs was so packed that we had to take our puff to go – themed cookies are also available.
For the record, we thought the Totoro Cream Puffs / Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory looked amazing but tasted just OK – so make sure you visit yourself to see if you think it lives up to the hype.
Visit the official Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory website >
Read more about Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory >
Try this – Tokyo Anime Studio Experience >
Edo Tokyo Museum (Temporarily closed)
May 2024 update: the Edo Tokyo Museum is currently closed for major renovations
It is said that Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki visited Edo Tokyo Museum for inspiration to create landscapes for Spirited Away (they also said that about Jiufen in Taiwan but many doubt that too…but let’s just go with it for now!)
Opened in 1993, the museum celebrates the culture and historic achievements of Edo-Tokyo showcasing over 400 years of heritage with a collection of around 600,000 items (although not all are on display at any one time).
There is a rich mix of permanent collections and temporary exhibitions plus outdoor buildings to explore dating back to the Meiji era (1860s to early 1900s).
The Edo Museum is currently closed until at least 2025.
GBL Miyashita Park and GBL Tokyo Character Street
GBL is a Studio Ghibli clothing range and fashion wear designed for adults that started off online only, until recently opening two GBL stores in Tokyo – GBL Miyashita Park (in Shibuya) and GBL Tokyo Character Street (inside Tokyo station).
There is also a limited range of GBL stock in some of the Tokyo Donguri Republic stores.
Selling stylish Studio Ghibli merchandise such as Spirited Away skateboards to Porco Rosso denim jackets (plus Howl’s Moving Castle Hawaiian shirts!), these are fine fashion reinterpretations of all your favourite Ghibli movies.
GBL Tokyo Station Store is open daily from 10.30am to 8pm whilst the GBL Miyashita Park store is open from 11am to 9pm daily. GBL opening times in Tokyo correct as of May 2024.
You can buy Studio Ghibli GBL clothing online here from the the official GBL site here >
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Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
Several Studio Ghibli Tokyo private tours such as this one include Tokyo’s Hotel Gajoen.
Similar to Tokyo Museum and Jiufen, the main entrance hall and spectacular staircase is said to have inspired Ghibli founder Miyazaki’s visuals for ‘Spirited Away’.
We aren’t sure (probably BS to be honest) but if you are the ultimate Ghibli fan, you can check it out for yourselves.
You might like – Plan My Japan guide to Doraemon’s Future Department Store >
Ghibli Park Near Nagoya
OK, this last Japan Studio Ghibli thing to do in Tokyo is actually in Nagoya, which is three hours away by Shinkansen from Tokyo, but is just about manageable as a day trip or private tour.
One of the most eagerly awaited new visitor attractions in Japan, Ghibli Park opened to an excited public in November 2022 – the world’s first theme park dedicated to all things Studio Ghibli.
There are 5 different parts of the park but when we visited back in March 2023, only the Grand Warehouse was open. Read our honest review of Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse here >
Tickets are notoriously hard to get, so make sure you plan in advance and are online the moment the tickets are released. Tickets go on sale 3 months in advance on the 10th of every month.
Alternatively you can book a package deal on Klook for a 2 Day / 1 Night visit to Ghibli Park Grand Warehouse from Tokyo or a Ghibli Park One Day Round Trip from Nagoya.
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