Video introduction of free spots in "Ghibli Park" in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture This video, titled "Ghibli Park - Want to Go Without a Ticket? Learn About Free Areas You Can Enjoy (November 1, 2022)" (「ジブリパーク」チケットなしでも行きたい！無料で楽しめるスポットも【あらいーな】(2022年11月1日)), was uploaded by "ANNnewsCH." Ghibli Park is a theme park opened by Studio Ghibli in November 2022, and is located at Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park) in Nagakute, Aichi. As the park states, "It's a park that expresses the world of Ghibli, created together with the forest," and there are no major attractions or rides. However, it's a dreamlike place, and as you walk around and explore the lush greenery of the park, you'll have chances to meet popular characters like Totoro! Each area requires a reservation and a ticket for a specific date and time, but there are also free areas that can be enjoyed without a ticket. Be sure to read along to learn more about the free areas at Ghibli Park. How to Buy Tickets for Ghibli Park in 2022 Source :YouTube screenshot Ghibli Park opened on November 1, 2022. There are free areas, but designated areas require a ticket for a specific date and time, which must be reserved in advance. As initially anticipated, the park has been extremely popular, and as of mid-November 2022, tickets for January 2023 are already hard to come by. The ticket sales process has changed for the February 2023 admission, which went on sale on November 10, 2023. The lottery system will end and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis from the 10th of each month until the day of admission. In addition to Boo-Woo tickets, which are purchased online, tickets can also be purchased with Loppi terminals at Lawson and Ministop convenience stores across Japan. ※Please check the official website for ticket types, admission time slots, and prices. Introducing Free Areas at Ghibli Park + Other Highlights Source :YouTube screenshot Naturally, some people are going to be disappointed that they couldn't get tickets. However, Ghibli Park also has many areas where visitors can have fun for free. You can even get some popular Ghibli souvenirs! Let's check out some of the exciting free areas below. ◆Ghibli Park Main Gate The Main Gate can be found right after you get off at the nearest station, Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen Station. There are Ghibli Park logos on the pillars of the gate, making it a popular photo spot for instagrammers. ◆Rotanda Kazegaoka Rotunda Kazegaoka is a round-shaped building located beyond the main gate of Ghibli Park. In addition to a café with a Japanese-style interior where you can enjoy light meals, Ghibli goods and souvenirs are also available for purchase. Source :YouTube screenshot ◆Elevator Tower The Elevator Tower is inspired by the imaginary scientific world of the late 19th century, like Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Howl's Moving Castle, and visitors can experience the world of Ghibli while riding the elevator. The composition with the light from the street lamps at dusk and the elevator tower is sure to be great for taking photos! [Video] 2:18 - Elevator Tower ◆World Emporium in the Hill of Youth Area The World Emporium is located in the Hill of Youth area and was featured in the movie Whisper of the Heart. Although a reservation ticket is required to enter the building, the exterior of the building can be enjoyed without a ticket, so be sure to take some photos. Don't miss the small building next to it, the office of the cat from "The Cat Returns." ◆The Cave Under the World Emporium in the Hill of Youth Area Do you remember the scene in Whisper of the Heart where the main character searches for a jewel in a tunnel while dreaming? This is the spot where that cave is recreated, and the countless shining stones are simply beautiful. [Video] 3:40 - The Cave Under the World Emporium ◆The 'Lost Article Benches' at Ghibli Park Several of the benches in the park are decorated with objects that resemble lost articles of characters from Ghibli's works. There are 15 "Lost Article Benches" in the park, so visitors can have fun strolling around the park while searching for them. [Video] 2:55 - A "Lost Article Bench" With a Student Bags and Cap, Themed After "From Up on Poppy Hill" ◆The Red Gate The Red Gate was relocated and restored from a traditional Japanese-style restaurant in Nagoya City. Inside the gate, which fits perfectly with the world of Spirited Away, is a statue of a stone man from the scene at the beginning of the movie where Chihiro wanders into the mysterious town. Visitors can also enjoy this statue free of charge and are encouraged to take pictures with it. ◆Satsuki and Mei's House The Dondokoro Forest area, where Satsuki and May's house from "My Neighbor Totoro" is located, requires a reserved ticket for a specific date and time, but you can see the exterior from the free area with an elevator building in the vicinity. ◆Dondoko-doro Located at the entrance of the Dondoko Forest Area, Dondoko-doro is a souvenir shop open to everyone free of charge. The shop sells many goods related to My Neighbor Totoro, which will have you picking up souvenirs left and right! [Video] 4:18 - Dondoko-doro Popular Ghibli Goods & Souvenirs at Ghibli Park's Free Areas Source :YouTube screenshot There are two places in the free areas where you can buy souvenirs of Ghibli goods: Rotunda Kazegaoka and Dondoko-dokoro. Here are some popular souvenirs available at each. Lots of limited-edition goods full of ingenuity based on Ghibli works can be found in the shops! Be sure to pick up a souvenir to commemorate your visit. [Rotunda Kazegaoka] ※Tax-included prices as of November 2022. Straw hat (Mei Kusakabe, Tatsuo Kusakabe, Ursula, Sophie, Shizuku Tsukishima) 3,300 yen+ Frixion ballpoint pen: 1,320 yen Limex pens (pink and blue): 550 yen each Plantable pencils (11 types including Daisy, Sunflower, Basil, etc.): 715 yen each Wooden ruler: 495 yen Kodama moss pet: 1,540 yen Porco Rosso Savoia soft glider: 825 yen Levistone soap bubbles: 770 yen Teacups: 1,320 yen Hand towels: 1100 yen Pin badges: 715 yen Stickers: 385 yen [Dondoko-dokoro] ※Prices include tax as of November 2022. Dondoko candy: 540 yen Dondoko umbrellas: 1980 yen+ Bench-patterned vinyl umbrella 2200 yen ※Limited to Rotunda Kazegaoka Hand towels: 2,200 yen Bird calls: 1980 yen Very ordinary ramune 200 yen Also, Breitling's limited edition Porco Rosso-themed wristwatch, a popular souvenir at Ghibli Park, costs 1,199,000 yen (tax included)! It appears to be available at the store in Ghibli's Grand Warehouse Shop. Enjoy Ghibli-Themed Lunches at Ghibli Park! Introducing Cafes Where You Can Enjoy Lunch and Tea Time Source :YouTube screenshot There are three places to eat and drink in Ghibli Park: Transcontinental Flight Cafe, Dagashi Nekokaburi Hime, and Milk Stand Sibelli An in Ghibli's Grand Warehouse Shop. The concept of Transcontinental Flight Cafe was inspired by the image of guests resting their wings after exploring Ghibli's Grand Warehouse Shop. The menu features sandwiches, pizza, and sweets inspired by foods that require only one hand to eat while flying, just like the many long-distance flight pilots in Ghibli's works. The highly reputed sandwiches come with 10 different types of flags with randomly chosen illustrations drawn by Hayao Miyazaki. Many people want to collect all of them as souvenirs, making the sandwiches very popular with visitors. [Video] 1:21 - Transcontinental Flight Café In addition to nostalgic old-fashioned sweets, the "very ordinary ramune" with a label designed by director Goro Miyazaki is also popular at Dagashi Nekokaburi Hime, which resembles a retro Showa-period shopping arcade. At the kiosk-style store Milk Stand Sibelli An, visitors can enjoy "Sibera," a triangular snack made of sponge cake and yokan (a traditional Japanese confection made from red bean paste), which was eaten by Jiro Horikoshi, the main character in the film The Wind Rises. If you're feeling hungry after walking around the spacious park, consider relaxing with some tasty sweets! Summary of Free Areas at Ghibli Park You might have thought that a theme park should have attractions and rides, but this Ghibli theme park has an awesome atmosphere without them! Many fans of Ghibli have commented on this as well, saying how they love the park's natural setting and the atmosphere. Ghibli lovers and even those who are not familiar with Ghibli are sure to have a wonderful time at the park, which shows Studio Ghibli's attitude of respecting nature. If you watched Ghibli movies growing up, you'll definitely get a blast of nostalgia here! If you can't get tickets, be sure to check out these free spots! 【Official Website】Ghibli Park 【TripAdvisor】Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park

Ghibli Park "Mononoke no Sato" and "Witches' Valley" in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture Video Introduction This video, titled "[Ghibli] Latest Information "Mononoke Village" and "Valley of Witches" – An Interview with Director Goro Miyazaki! A Perfect Recreation of Whisper of the Heart's Antique Shop?!" (【ジブリ】新情報「もののけの里」「魔女の谷」を宮崎吾朗監督に直撃！　「耳をすませば」の地球屋をプロの仕事で完全再現!?), was uploaded by "CHUKYO TV NEWS" (中京テレビNEWS). The theme park "Ghibli Park," scheduled to open on November 1, 2022, is drawing a lot of attention right now. The latest information on the Mononoke Village and Valley of Witches areas within the park is presented in the form of an interview with director Goro Miyazaki, the son of Hayao Miyazaki. Information on Ghibli Park - Opening Dates, Location, Etc. Photo：An aerial view of Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park in Aichi, Japan, taken via drone Ghibli Park is a park that recreates the world of Studio Ghibli. The park is located in Aichi Expo Memorial Park in Nagakute, Aichi, in Japan's Tokai Region. There are no big attractions or rides at the park, and it's a place where visitors can explore forests and paths while feeling the wind on their skin and discovering hidden secrets. The fact that the park is built together with the forest shows how much importance is placed on the Ghibli worldview. Ghibli Park is divided into five areas, which will be opened sequentially by completion date. The first phase of the park will open on November 1, 2022 and will include the "Hill of Youth," "Dondoko Forest," where Satsuki and Mei's house from "My Neighbor Totoro" is located, and "Ghibli's Grand Warehouse," which will house various exhibits of Studio Ghibli works. The second phase is scheduled to open in the fall of 2023 with "Mononoke Village" and "Valley of Witches." Check out the official website for detailed opening dates and a map of the park. Mononoke Village – Scheduled to Launch in 2023 Source :YouTube screenshot The Mononoke Village area is scheduled to open approximately one year after the November 2022 opening. In Mononoke Village, visitors will be able to see facilities that appeared in the movie "Princess Mononoke" as well as objects made based on the characters in the movie. During the interview, director Goro Miyazaki says that objects (playground equipment) will be made in the likeness of the demons/cursed gods in Princess Mononoke, and that they will also be climbable. In addition, visitors can enjoy a hands-on learning experience at "Irontown," where iron is extracted from iron sand, and a charcoal-making hut is also under construction. Valley of Witches – Scheduled to Launch in 2024 Source :YouTube screenshot Following Mononoke Village, Valley of Witches is scheduled to open. It has been announced that the Okino residence where Kiki, the main character in the movie "Kiki's Delivery Service," was born and raised will be constructed, and the room where Kiki packed her bags will be faithfully reproduced as well. The "Gütiokipänjä Bakery," where Kiki and her black cat Jiji lived, will have a store as well as an attic. According to an interview with director Goro Miyazaki, the "Gütiokipänjä Bakery" will actually sell bread baked in a stone oven. The opening of Valley of the Witches is surely something to look forward to! The 'Hill of Youth' – A Faithful Recreation of the Antique Shop Featured in 'Whisper of the Heart' Source :YouTube screenshot The "Hill of Youth" will open prior to "Mononoke Village" and "Valley of Witches." There, the antique shop from the movie Whisper of the Heart will be recreated. The shop is built by Tatsuya Yamada, an architect specializing in wooden structures, and Takeshi Nakamura, a carpenter, who reviewed the work dozens of times, paying close attention to the smallest details. One example of the attention to detail was shared in the interview as well. It's mentioned that, in order to reproduce every detail, they asked an abacus craftsman to decorate a part of the balcony railing fence for the antique shop. This shows the attention to detail that went into recreating the structure to immerse visitors in the world of Ghibli. Now that you have this knowledge, you can be sure to look for small details like this when visiting! [Video] 8:00 - Interview with Yamada and Nakamura Admission Fees, Tickets, and Free Areas at Ghibli Park Ghibli Park requires a reservation for each area with specific dates and times. Please check the official Ghibli Park website for up-to-date admission fees and pricing for each area. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale in August, and will be available for purchase through Boo-Woo Tickets (Boo-Wooチケット) and other means. In addition, Ghibli Park will also have a free area with playground equipment inspired by "The Cat Returns." This is great information for those who live nearby with young children or those planning on visiting the area with kids. 【Official Website】Ghibli Park https://ghibli-park.jp/en/ 【TripAdvisor】Aichi Expo Memorial Park https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1121224-d1309786-Reviews-Expo_2005_Aichi_Commemorative_Park-Nagakute_Aichi_Prefecture_Tokai_Chubu.html

Toyokawa Inari Yolmowde" Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan Video Introduction This video, titled "A Temple Visit at Night With a Fantastical Atmosphere｜Using Technology to Prevent Infection｜Toyokawa Inari, Aichi (2022/7/25)" (幻想的な雰囲気の中で「夜の参拝」を　感染対策には驚きの演出も　愛知・豊川稲荷(2022/7/25)), was uploaded by "CBC News [CBC TV Official]" (CBCニュース【CBCテレビ公式】). Toyokawa Inari x NAKED YORU MO-DE, which began last July, is a safe and secure, new-style nighttime worship event that focuses on preventing infection. Be sure to check out the video as it shows Toyokawa Inari and the photogenic light art, illuminated approach, and many other attractions that can be seen at YORU MO-DE. Toyokawa Inari - Is It a Temple or Shrine? Photo：Reiko-Zuka, the Hill of Foxes at Toyokawa Inari, Aichi Prefecture Toyokawa Inari, located in Toyokawa, Aichi, in Japan's Tokai region, is a temple officially called Enpukuzan Myogonji Temple and is one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan. The reason it is called Toyokawa Inari is that it enshrines a deity called "Toyokawa Dakini Shinten," a god astride a white fox (Inari shrines are dedicated to foxes), who is believed to bring prosperity to business and safety to one's family. It is said that this may be due to the fact that the shrine is also associated with the Inari faith. Toyokawa Inari is famous for offering four types of shuin stamps. The summer-only shuin stamps with cool designs are quite popular. In addition, a variety of good luck charms are available, including some with cute foxes on them. Toyokawa Inari has branch temples throughout Japan. Toyokawa Kaku Myogonji Temple in Akasaka, Tokyo, also known as Toyokawa Inari Betsuin, is a popular urban power spot. The fortune-telling service at Toyokawa Inari Betsuin is particularly popular due to its accuracy, causing there to often be a queue of people waiting to receive their fortunes. Ticket and Event Information for Toyokawa Inari YORU MO-DE 2022 Source :YouTube screenshot Toyokawa Inari YORU MO-DE 2022 is from July 22 to August 6. This is a limited-time event to enjoy a nighttime temple visit, and tickets must be purchased in order to participate. Tickets can be purchased at the on-site reception during the event period, or in advance on ticket websites. Admission is 1,500 yen for adults. Elementary school students and younger can enter free of charge. During YORU MO-DE, visitors can enjoy a variety of illuminated artworks in the precincts of Toyokawa Inari, which attract a lot of attention due to how photogenic they are. In addition to the approach to the temple being lit up, this year the light-up area has been expanded even further! Reiko-Zuka, the Hill of Foxes, where approximately 1,000 fox statues are enshrined, will be illuminated with light and sound effects, creating an even more beautiful and mysterious atmosphere. In addition, the colorful flower-shaped mikuji that have become popular on Japanese social media will add color and delight visitors. Summer is also the best time for yukata! The FOX MASK, available in limited quantities, goes perfectly with yukata, and allows visitors to take memorable photos! Also, the "Tsukubai," a stone wash basin used to purify oneself, emits disinfectant when hands are held near it and projects motifs of goldfish and fireworks. In addition, the light patterns on the lanterns allow visitors to maintain safe social distancing while enjoying the attractions. How Crowded is Toyokawa Inari YORU-MODE 2022? Source :YouTube screenshot With the number of people infected with the new coronavirus on the rise, one concern people have inevitably expressed is how crowded the event will be. At this year's YORU MO-DE, in addition to infection prevention measures, such as alcohol disinfection and lanterns that allow people to naturally maintain distance from other visitors, as mentioned above, a new system has also been introduced. On the day of the event, visitors will obtain a digital numbered ticket by scanning a QR code before entering, and will receive a message on via LINE when it's time to enter. Through this system, the number of visitors allowed into the temple grounds per hour is limited to 1,500 to prevent crowding and to prevent the spread of the virus. Until you can enter with a digital numbered ticket, you can fill your stomach at the food stalls and stores in the shopping area. This system allows visitors to make good use of their time while waiting instead of just standing in line until they can enter. Delicious Food to Try at Toyokawa Inari! When you visit Toyokawa Inari, be it for sightseeing or to pray, there's one food that you've got to try. That is, Toyokawa Inari Sushi! Named after Inari Okami's favorite abura-age, this sushi is a must-try. We recommend Okitsune Honpo (おきつね本舗) if you want to try it! They also offer take-out, so it is perfect for eating while you walk around. The "Okitsune Burger," which uses fried tofu instead of buns, is also popular according to reviews. Consider giving it a try! Summary of YORU MO-DE at Toyokawa Inari If you haven't already seen the video introducing the precincts of the temple and other areas decorated with light effects, be sure to check it out. When visiting the event, although a large parking lot is available, we recommend using public transportation instead of a car, as parking is expected to be crowded during the event. Toyokawa Inari YORU MO-DE is a festival where visitors can enjoy beautiful art with the aim of revitalizing the local community. There are many hotels and other lodging facilities in the area. If you're visiting Aichi for sightseeing, definitely give YORU MO-DE a thought, it's a fantastic summer-only event!