The Tokyo Museum That's A Must-Visit For Film Lovers

If you've ever heard of the name Hayao Miyazaki, chances are you had a great childhood. According to IMDb, he is one of Japan's most famous animation directors known for releasing genuinely heartwarming films, such as "Spirited Away," "My Neighbor Totoro," "Howl's Moving Castle," "Kiki's Delivery Service," and more. Miyazaki began his career as an animator in 1963, and it wasn't until 1979 that he directed his first movie; "Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro." His success and fame later led to the creation of Studio Ghibli, where he directed many successful films, such as "Princess Mononoke," which historically became Japan's highest-grossing film in 1997.

If you're someone who has enjoyed Miyazaki's films over the years, then we recommend taking a trip to the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka in Tokyo. There, you'll find all things Ghibli and get the chance to relive all of his classic films. If you'd like to learn more, we'll drop all the information you need to know below.

According to Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, as soon as guests walk up to the Ghibli-inspired museum, they are met with a large Totoro that guides them toward the entrance. As they step in, they can look around to see hand-crafted windows and lamps depicting adorable Ghibli characters, plants, flowers, and forest animals. Additionally, this museum wasn't designed by just anyone, but actually by Hayao Miyazaki himself, per The Planet D.

As a result, this museum feels magical from head to toe. As you peer up at the ceiling, you'll notice a beautiful mural with a smiling sun beaming down at you. And as you walk throughout the building, there are several rooms to enter, such as the reading room, also known as Tri Hawks. There, you'll find books that were handpicked by Miyazaki for children to browse through and become inspired. There is also a waiting room for kids with a giant Cat Bus inside — a character we've previously seen in "My Neighbor Totoro."

While visiting the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, we urge you to participate in one of their special exhibitions. According to their website, the current exhibition is "Future Boy Conan," with 26 episodes and two galleries available for guests to explore the appeal of manga films. If you'd like to sit back and watch a movie, the 80-seat Saturn Theater is located in the basement of the building. There, people have been able to enjoy a plethora of Ghibli films, such as "Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess," "Mei and Baby Cat Bus," ”Koro's Big Day Out," and more.

After spending a long day at the museum, you can order a refreshment at the Straw Hat Café. They've created a relaxing, outdoor experience where guests can sip on a drink and gaze out at Inokashira Park. There's also a variety of food and desserts available, such as the Kuishinbo's Cutlet Sandwich, which has a tiny Totoro flag placed on top.