Studio Ghibli in 2 Days: Ghibli Museum, Mitaka & Ghibli Park, Aichi

Shinjuku → Mitaka

JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku to Mitaka, about 20 min. Leave large luggage in a coin locker at Shinjuku or Tokyo Station; you will need it again in the evening.

Mitaka Station → Ghibli Museum

From the south exit it is about 15 min on foot, or take the community bus that runs every 15 min during opening hours (pay by cash or IC card). Arrive within your ticket's entry window.

Ghibli Museum

Allow 2–3 hours for the exhibits, the short film in the Saturn Theater and the rooftop garden. The museum asks visitors not to take photos inside the building.

Inokashira Park

The museum sits at the edge of Inokashira Park. Walk through the park to Kichijoji Station (about 15–20 min) and take the JR Chuo Line back to central Tokyo.

Tokyo → Nagoya by Tokaido Shinkansen

Nozomi trains take about 1 hr 40 min from Tokyo Station to Nagoya. Book a seat in advance on busy weekends; JR Central's smartEX sells tickets online in English.

Nagoya → Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen

Higashiyama Subway Line from Nagoya to Fujigaoka (about 30 min), then change to the Linimo maglev line for Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen (about 15 min). The park is just outside Exit 2. Meitetsu also runs a shuttle bus from the Meitetsu Bus Center at Nagoya Station.

Ghibli's Grand Warehouse

The indoor area, with exhibitions, a cinema and scenes you can step into. Entry is by a set time on your ticket, so plan the rest of the day around it.

Dondoko Forest, Hill of Youth, Mononoke Village, Valley of Witches

The outdoor areas are spread across the big Expo 2005 park, and walking between them takes time. Satsuki and Mei's House from My Neighbor Totoro is in Dondoko Forest. Some buildings in the Valley of Witches cost extra, paid on the day. Which areas you can enter depends on your pass.

Back to Nagoya

Linimo and the subway back to Nagoya (about 45–60 min). From Nagoya, the Tokaido Shinkansen reaches Tokyo in about 1 hr 40 min or Kyoto in about 35 min.