Ghibli Museum

Glenn Goldman

5/5

Entertaining visit for anyone interested in animation but it’s especially focused on children. Adults will appreciate it as well. The building itself is playful and contributes to the overall feel of the visit. The artwork is simply stunning. It was also impressive to see the resources they used to design the movies. They had books about the anatomy of animals to architecture. It all helps to give the films character and life. Be warned, it’s not easy to get tickets. They have a screwy sign-up system where you have to be online at a certain time on the 10th of the month preceding your hoped for visit. I was in a queue for 45 minutes and was able to get something on one of the days I was scheduled to be in Tokyo. I didn’t get the time I wanted so I scheduled everything around the time I got. The 10 AM slots went very quickly and we got 4 PM entry. We were told to bring our passports for ID but all we needed was the QR code on our ticket. They don’t allow photos inside, only outside. Absolutely worth seeing if you care at all about the subject.

Gayle Nicoll

3/5

It was cute, but I was expecting more. The first floor was very interesting and had a visual representation of the history of animation plus a theatre where we got to watch a special animated short. The 1st floor is probably the best floor. The second floor was a series of static exhibits on Ghibli art. The third floor was a kids play area and the gift shop. There is a "hidden" stairwell up to the roof that was worth a visit. Overall, was disappointed. Expected more meat and less fluff.

Karel Htfx

5/5

A charming little museum that's definitely worth a visit — if you can get in. Tickets are very affordable, but the online reservation system gets booked out quickly each month, which makes planning ahead essential. That said, the limited entry means the museum never feels overcrowded, unlike many popular European museums where you can barely move. One of the highlights was a short, exclusive film screening — really well done and engaging. The museum is also child-friendly, even for younger kids, which makes it a good family outing. There’s a café and a restaurant on-site, which is a nice bonus. The only downside is that the layout can be confusing. The signage isn’t very clear, and it’s easy to get turned around. It might be intentional to create a sense of discovery, but it can be a bit frustrating at times. Overall, a unique and enjoyable experience, especially if you’re looking for something quieter and more manageable than the big-name museums.