The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is a small, magical museum designed by Hayao Miyazaki, the director of My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. It’s one of the hardest tickets to get in Tokyo — not because it’s expensive, but because there are only a limited number of reservations and fans book them the minute they go on sale.
This guide explains Ghibli Museum ticket prices in 2026, exactly when and how to book from abroad, what to do if tickets are sold out, how to get there and what you’ll see inside. Prices and booking rules come from the official Ghibli Museum website; we’ve also used JapanTravel’s 2026 booking guide.
Ghibli Museum ticket prices 2026
| Age | Price |
|---|---|
| 19 and over | ¥1,000 |
| 13–18 | ¥700 |
| 7–12 | ¥400 |
| 4–6 | ¥100 |
| 3 and under | Free |
Source: Ghibli Museum official ticket page. Reselling tickets is not allowed.
At ¥1,000 for an adult, it’s one of the best-value attractions in Tokyo. The challenge is getting a ticket at all.
When do Ghibli Museum tickets go on sale?
Tickets for each month are released at 10:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time (JST) on the 10th of the previous month (official site):
| Visit in | Tickets go on sale |
|---|---|
| December 2026 | 10 November 2026, 10:00 JST |
| January 2027 | 10 December 2026, 10:00 JST |
| February 2027 | 10 January 2027, 10:00 JST |
| March 2027 | 10 February 2027, 10:00 JST |
| April 2027 | 10 March 2027, 10:00 JST |
Convert the time: in winter, 10:00 JST is 01:00 in London, 02:00 in Paris and 20:00 the previous evening in New York; in summer (daylight saving time) add one hour to each. Set an alarm — weekend and school-holiday dates often go first.
How to buy Ghibli Museum tickets from abroad
- Go to the official ticket page on the Ghibli Museum website a few minutes before 10:00 JST on the 10th. It links to the online sales platform (Lawson Ticket) (source).
- Choose your date and entry time. Each ticket is valid for one date and one entry time; there’s no set exit time, so you can stay until closing (source).
- Be patient: the booking site can be slow or show a queue at peak times (source). Don’t keep refreshing if you’re in a queue.
- Use the name on your passport and keep your confirmation; bring your passport on the day in case staff check it.
Buying tickets in Japan
If you’re already in Japan, tickets can also be bought from the Loppi machines in Lawson convenience stores. According to JapanTravel, this may require a Japanese phone number — a Japan eSIM with a local number can help (compare Japan eSIMs).
What if Ghibli Museum tickets are sold out?
- Check again: a few tickets sometimes reappear as people cancel — check the booking site in the days before your visit.
- Book a tour: some tour operators (for example JTB Sunrise Tours) sell day tours that include museum entry; you get a voucher to exchange at the museum with your passport (source). Compare tours with Ghibli Museum entry.
- Never buy resold tickets: resale is not allowed, and tickets bought from unofficial sellers may be refused.
- Visit Ghibli Park instead: Ghibli Park is a separate, larger attraction in Aichi Prefecture (near Nagoya), not in Tokyo.
How to get to the Ghibli Museum
The museum is at the edge of Inokashira Park in Mitaka, about 20 minutes by train west of Shinjuku on the JR Chuo Line.
- From Mitaka Station (South Exit): about 15 minutes on foot along the canal-side walkway — there are Totoro signs to follow — or take the yellow community bus to the museum for ¥210 one way (source).
- From Kichijoji Station: about 15 minutes’ walk through Inokashira Park (source), a lovely route with a lake, rowing boats and cafés.
Tip: arrive by Kichijoji, then spend the rest of the afternoon in Inokashira Park and Kichijoji’s shops and cafés. If you’re staying in Shinjuku, it’s an easy half-day — see where to stay in Tokyo.
What’s inside the Ghibli Museum?
The museum isn’t a typical exhibition: it’s designed as a playful building with spiral stairs, hidden corners and stained-glass windows of Ghibli characters. Highlights include:
- A short animated film shown in the small Saturn Theater, made only for the museum (your ticket includes one screening).
- Rooms recreating an animator’s studio, with sketches, books and how animation is made.
- A giant Catbus that young children can climb in.
- The rooftop garden with the life-size Robot Soldier from Castle in the Sky.
- Temporary exhibitions, the Straw Hat Café and the Mamma Aiuto gift shop.
Photography: photos are not allowed inside the museum (source); you can take pictures outside, including on the rooftop garden.
Opening hours and closed days
- Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (source).
- Closed: Tuesdays, plus some other days for maintenance and exhibition changes — check the official calendar before booking.
- How long to stay: most visitors spend 1.5–3 hours.
Tips for visiting the Ghibli Museum
- Book the moment sales open — especially for weekends, Japanese holidays and spring.
- Choose an early entry time for a calmer visit.
- Be on time: late arrival may not be accepted for your slot.
- Combine it with Kichijoji and Inokashira Park.
- Bring a little cash for the café and the bus.
Is the Ghibli Museum worth it?
For Studio Ghibli fans, absolutely — it’s charming, inexpensive and unlike any other museum. If you’ve never seen the films, it may feel small; consider teamLab or the observation decks in our Tokyo Skytree vs Tokyo Tower guide instead.
More Tokyo guides
FAQ: Ghibli Museum tickets
How much are Ghibli Museum tickets?
¥1,000 for adults, ¥700 for ages 13–18, ¥400 for ages 7–12 and ¥100 for ages 4–6. Children 3 and under are free.
When do Ghibli Museum tickets go on sale?
At 10:00 a.m. Japan time on the 10th of the month before your visit.
Can I buy Ghibli Museum tickets at the door?
No. All admission is by advance reservation only.
How far in advance should I book?
As soon as your month goes on sale — popular dates sell out very quickly.
Can you take photos inside the Ghibli Museum?
No, photography is not allowed inside; you can take photos outside and on the rooftop.
Is the Ghibli Museum the same as Ghibli Park?
No. The Ghibli Museum is in Mitaka, Tokyo; Ghibli Park is a separate attraction in Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya.
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