Society | Apr 26

Ghibli Park to open in Aichi Prefecture in 2022

Apr 26 (NHK) - Japanese animated film company Studio Ghibli has unveiled the basic design of its theme park set to open in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in 2022.

Aichi Governor Hideaki Ohmura revealed on Wednesday that the prefecture and the studio agreed to build Ghibli Park on the site of the 2005 Aichi Expo in Nagakute City.

The park is to feature Ghibli film-related buildings such as towers from "Howl's Moving Castle," which are to serve as the main gate. The antique shop from "Whisper of the Heart" and Kiki's home from "Kiki's Delivery Service" are also planned.

Areas based on "Princess Mononoke" and "My Neighbor Totoro" are to include outdoor replicas of the films' characters and a forest pathway.

Ohmura said concepts of the Aichi Expo, such as ecological coexistence and the wonders of nature, are alive in Ghibli films.

He expressed hope that the park will be full of dreams and fantasy for visitors from around the world.

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