Studio Ghibli exhibition opens one last time – find out when and where

The Ghibli Park and Ghibli Exhibition opened its doors on Friday, February 28th, at the Okayama City Museum.

The exhibition offers visitors a glimpse into the artistic vision and dedication that brought the theme park to life.

It was first held in Nagano in 2022, the year Ghibli Park opened. The exhibition has since travelled to nine cities, including Tokyo, with Okayama being the tenth and final venue.

Ghibli Park, a theme park inspired by Studio Ghibli’s films, is located within the Expo Memorial Park in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture.

The park recreates the iconic settings and atmospheres of many of Studio Ghibli’s masterpieces, offering fans a chance to step into their favorite animated worlds.

The exhibition in Okayama City, however, focuses on the behind-the-scenes events leading to the creation of the park.

The exhibition’s opening ceremony was held on Thursday, February 27th and included Goro Miyazaki reflecting on his personal connection to Okayama.

He shared anecdotes of his past visits to the city during promotional tours for the films “Tales from Earthsea” and “From Up on Poppy Hill.”

He recalled the warm hospitality he received, including the delivery of Okayama’s famous white peaches.

“Thankfully, even now, when summer comes, I still receive peaches from Okayama, and Okayama is a wonderful place to me,” he expressed, highlighting the city’s significance to him.

Miyazaki expressed his emotion at the exhibition’s arrival in Okayama, stating, “Coming full circle, I have a deep emotion about the fact that the exhibition has come to Okayama this spring.”

The exhibition itself is a treasure trove of Ghibli artifacts, offering a comprehensive overview of Ghibli Park’s development and Goro Miyazaki’s vision for the park.

Visitors can explore initial image sketches of Ghibli Park, marvel at a 1/20 scale model of Howl’s Moving Castle, and immerse themselves in interactive displays such as the “Ghibli Becoming Famous Scenes Exhibition,” which recreates iconic moments from “Spirited Away.”

The exhibition also delves into Goro Miyazaki’s directorial work, showcasing production materials and image boards from his animated films, including “Tales from Earthsea” “From Up on Poppy Hill” and “Earwig and the Witch.”

It also highlights his work as a landscape architect and involvement in architectural projects such as the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka and Satsuki and Mei’s House.

The exhibition also features interactive elements where visitors can experience the thrill of sitting alongside No-Face in a recreation of a famous “Spirited Away” scene, and even encounter beloved characters like Totoro and the Cat Bus.

The Ghibli Park and Ghibli Exhibition will be open to the public from the 28th of February until the 11th of May, at the Okayama City Museum.

The museum’s operating hours are from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with last admission at 5:30 PM.

Visitors should be aware that the museum will be closed on select Mondays: March 3rd, 10th, April 7th, 14th, and 21st.

Tickets can be pre-purchased for a specified date and time for 1,800 yen (approx. $11.95 USD / £9.50 GBP), while same-day tickets are available for 1,900 yen (approx. $12.61 USD / £10.03 GBP).

Event Details

Source, Images: PR Times

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