Ghibli Park Day Tour from Nagoya: Grand Warehouse, Mononoke Village & Valley of Witches

Summary

Studio Ghibli’s worlds up close in Aichi with bento lunch and museum

You’ll wander through three main areas at Ghibli Park—Grand Warehouse, Valley of Witches, and Mononoke Village—before sharing a bento lunch outdoors or on the bus if needed. With your local guide handling tickets and logistics from Nagoya, you’ll finish with a museum visit that ties Ghibli’s stories back to real life. Expect quiet surprises and a few laughs along the way.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wonder if those Ghibli places actually feel real? I did, and somehow walking through the gates at Ghibli Park near Nagoya, it all felt weirdly familiar — like stepping into someone else’s memory. Our guide, Yuki, handed out our O-Sanpo Day Passes (and double-checked our passports — don’t forget yours, seriously), then sent us off to explore. The Grand Warehouse was first; there’s this hush when you walk in, like everyone’s holding their breath for Totoro to appear. I kept catching little details — the way sunlight hit a row of tiny soot sprites in a corner, or the faint smell of wood and popcorn from somewhere behind the displays. Kids were giggling near the Cat Bus but honestly, I wanted a turn too.

The Valley of Witches felt different — more open air and kind of chaotic in that good Ghibli way. There was a stall selling these sweet buns shaped like Calcifer (I tried to say it in Japanese but totally mangled it; the vendor just grinned). Mononoke Village was quieter, almost earthy — you could hear wind moving through bamboo and people spoke softer here. I sat for a while just watching some kids chase each other around one of the forest huts. Lunch was this simple bento box under some trees in Expo Park; nothing fancy but sitting outside made it taste better somehow. If it rains, you might eat on the bus instead — not quite as poetic but hey, it’s Japan so even that feels orderly.

Afterwards we went to the Aichi Museum of Flight (unless it’s Wednesday or Thursday — then you get cars or pottery instead). There’s an actual Zero Fighter there and Yuki explained how Jiro Horikoshi inspired “The Wind Rises.” I’m not really an airplane person but standing under those wings made me think about all the ways Ghibli mixes real history with dreams. By then my feet were tired and my phone full of photos I’m still sorting through. The day went fast — too fast maybe — but some moments stick around longer than others.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Ghibli Park and museum

• Arrive at Ghibli Park
• Enter Ghibli's Grand Warehouse 10:00-11:00
• Explore Valley of Witches and Mononoke Village
• Enjoy bento box meal in Expo 2005 Park
• Visit Aichi Museum of Flight or other museum

Top questions

How do I get to Ghibli Park from Nagoya?

The tour includes transportation by bus from Nagoya directly to Ghibli Park and back.

What areas are included with the O-Sanpo Day Pass?

You can enter Grand Warehouse, Valley of Witches, and Mononoke Village with this pass.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Yes, a bento box meal and drink are included; you’ll usually eat outdoors in Expo Park or on the bus if weather is bad.

Do I need my passport for entry?

Yes, bring your passport as it will be checked along with your voucher before entering Ghibli Park.

Which museum do we visit after Ghibli Park?

The Aichi Museum of Flight is visited most days; on Wednesdays it's Toyota Automobile Museum; on Tuesdays/Thursdays from October 2025 it's Seto-Gura Museum.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes, children up to 3 years old can join free but won’t get their own seat or lunch.

Is there a guide inside Ghibli Park?

No guide accompanies you inside Ghibli Park itself; they handle logistics outside only.

Can I re-enter areas within Ghibli Park?

You cannot re-enter most areas except for Valley of Witches during your visit.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transportation by bus from Nagoya, entry tickets for three main areas at Ghibli Park (Grand Warehouse, Valley of Witches, Mononoke Village), guidance from a licensed interpreter outside the park, admission to one local museum depending on day of week, plus a bento box meal and drink for lunch before returning in the evening.