Ghibli Park: Popular souvenirs and foods sell out fast!? The charm of the new area ‘Valley of Witches’
The new area ‘Valley of Witches’ has opened at Ghibli Park! I will introduce its charming attractions along with its popular souvenirs and foods.
Contents
- Recommended tickets
- How to get to Ghibli Park
- Arrive 30 mins to 1 hour before opening!
- Popular souvenirs in ‘Valley of Witches’
- Popular foods in ‘Valley of Witches’
- Enter the world of Kiki’s Delivery Service!
- Sneak into the house from Earwig and the Witch
- ‘Howl’s Castle’ is moving!?
- Feel like Kiki’s family at ‘Okino Residence’
- Immerse yourself in a famous song on the ride!
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Related Articles
- Special feature on ‘Mononoke Village’
- Special feature on ‘Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse,’ ‘Hill of Youth,’ and ‘Dondoko Forest’
1. Recommended tickets
There are three types of tickets for Ghibli Park: ‘Ghibli Park O-Sanpo Day Pass Premium,’ ‘Ghibli Park O-Sanpo Day Pass,’ and ‘Ghibli Park Light Sanpo Pass.’ The longer the ticket name, the more areas you can access, and the higher the price. Check the areas you want to visit and purchase accordingly! The recommended ticket is the ‘O-Sanpo Day Pass Premium,’ but it’s challenging to see all areas in one day.If you want to fully enjoy the vast ’Valley of Witches’ and ‘Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse,’ it’s better to split your visit over two days. For those focusing on ‘Valley of Witches,’ the ‘O-Sanpo Day Pass Premium’ is recommended, and for those wanting to enjoy ‘Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse,’ the ‘O-Sanpo Day Pass’ is a good choice.
2. How to get to Ghibli Park
Ghibli Park is located in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture. If you’re traveling from Nagoya Station by train, it takes about 50 minutes. Take the Higashiyama Line to ‘Fujigaoka Station,’ transfer to the Linimo Line, and get off at ‘Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station,’ which is right in front of the park!
For first-time visitors, the bus is also recommended. Board the bus from platform 24 on the 4th floor of the Meitetsu Bus Center at Nagoya Station, heading to ‘Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen (Ghibli Park).’ The direct bus takes about 40 mins to reach the park! (Bus schedule information here)
3. Arrive 30 mins to 1 hour before opening!
I entered Ghibli Park with the ‘O-Sanpo Day Pass Premium.’ On the opening day of ‘Valley of Witches,’ there was a long queue even before opening! For those focusing on souvenirs, it is recommended to arrive 30 mins to 1 hour before the opening time.
4. Popular souvenirs in ‘Valley of Witches’
The main places to buy souvenirs in ‘Valley of Witches’ are ‘Witches Coven 13’ and ‘Hatter’s Millinery.’ Make sure to grab popular items before they sell out! It’s recommended to head to ‘Witches Coven 13’ first (map here).
After visiting ‘Witches Coven 13,’ move on to the ‘Hatter’s Millinery’ from Howl’s Moving Castle. On the first floor, you can buy candy cans, baked goods, and hats. Inside the courtyard, you’ll find Sophie’s workshop, and on the second floor, there’s a bookstore with witch and magic-related books.
5. Popular foods in ‘Valley of Witches’
The only restaurant in ‘Valley of Witches’ is ‘Flying Oven’ near the entrance gate. It’s recommended for those who want to enjoy a meal indoors. If you’re aiming for the most popular dish ‘Valley of Witches Shepherd’s Pie,’ try to enter when the restaurant opens!
For light meals, the hot dog stand is also recommended.
6. Enter the world of Kiki’s Delivery Service!
At the ‘Guchokipanya Bakery’ from Kiki’s Delivery Service, you can buy bread and jam. On the opening day, the “Red Bean Butter Melon Bread” was so popular that it temporarily sold out. During lunchtime peak hours, there can be a 90-minute wait to enter!
You can also buy bread sets sold next to the shop and enter the bakery when it is less busy.
From the backyard, you can climb up to the attic room where Kiki stayed.
7. Focus on the witch’s workroom in ‘House of Witches’
The ‘House of Witches’ has shorter waiting times compared to other buildings. You can see the witch’s workroom, Earwig’s bathroom, kitchen, and library from Earwig and the Witch. The witch’s workroom filled with magical ingredients is brimming with mystery!
8. ‘Howl’s Castle’ is Moving?!
The landmark of ‘Valley of Witches’ is ‘Howl’s Castle.’ Several times an hour, parts of the castle move and it emits smoke! On the first floor, you can find Calcifer’s furnace, the sink, the table, and Sophie’s room. On the second floor, there’s Howl’s bedroom, dressing room, the bathroom, and Markl’s room. The magical books on the first floor can be deciphered using a manual, so give it a try!
‘Turnip Head’ is standing around the castle and you can take photos together.
9. Feel like Kiki’s Family at ‘Okino Residence’
‘Okino’ is the name of Kiki’s father in Kiki’s Delivery Service, and ‘Okino Residence’ is the house where Kiki lived before setting off on her witch training journey. On the first floor, there’s the mother’s witch shop where she makes medicine, a guest room, a living room, and a kitchen. On the second floor, you can see Kiki’s room and her father’s study.
10. Immerse yourself in famous songs on the ride!
The ‘Valley of Witches’ features rides inspired by the ‘annual traveling amusement park that comes to the village’ such as the ‘Carousel’ and ‘Flying Machine.’ Adults can also enjoy the ‘Carousel’ with a specially arranged version of Merry Go-Round of Life playing during the ride!
The ‘Flying Machine’ is for children aged 3-12 (adults can only get on if accompanying children)
This concludes the third report on Ghibli Park! If you’re interested, be sure to visit!
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Related Articles
- Special feature on ‘Mononoke Village’
- Special feature on ‘Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse,’ ‘Hill of Youth,’ and ‘Dondoko Forest’
