The beautiful Ghibli Theme Park will open in 2022, and they revealed some new images, including a real life Howl’s Moving Castle! Check it out:
There are also images of the “Tatara Field” from Princess Mononoke and Satsuki and Mei’s house from My Neighbour Totoro!
The first 3 areas of the park, which will be opened on the park’s debut in 2022, are:
Seishun no Oka (Hill of Youth) – Will serve as the main gate to the park and feature architecture reminiscent of Howl’s Moving Castle. This area will also incorporate the antique shop from Whisper of the Heart.
Dondoko Mori (Dondoko Forest) – Will feature a recreation of the house and path from My Neighbour Totoro.
Ghibli no Daisōko (Great Ghibli Warehouse) – Will be an indoor area with all kinds of Ghibli themed exhibitions, a children’s playground, restaurants, shops, as well as a cinema for screenings of movies and special films.
The other two areas, Mononoke Village (inspired by Princess Mononoke) and Valley of the Witch (which will have elements from Kiki’s Delivery Service and How’s Moving Castle), will open in 2023.
The construction began in July last year. It’s expected that there will be no delays caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Besides the real life Howl’s Moving Castle, all of it seems amazing!
An interesting fact: Hayao Miyazaki insisted that no trees be cut down in the formation of the park. He wants it to celebrate the nature’s beauty which inspired their animation. This is also why the park will avoid the massive roller-coasters that dominate most theme parks and focus on nature trails instead.
Source: Cinema Today via Anime News Network
(C) Studio Ghibli
