Ghibli Museum: How to Book Tickets & Access

When booking your Tokyo Ghibli Museum visit, were you perhaps confused with Ghibli Park in Nagoya? In this guide, we'll perfectly cover everything from booking the 'Mitaka Forest Ghibli Museum' in Tokyo (where you can meet the 'Castle in the Sky' Robot Soldier) to its differences from the Nagoya 'Ghibli Park', ticketing tips, and access routes.

🤔 Ghibli Museum vs. Ghibli Park: Which one is it?

Before we dive into the booking details, let's clear up one of the most common points of confusion: the difference between the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo and Ghibli Park in Nagoya.

✅ Conclusion: The place we are introducing today is the 'Mitaka Forest Ghibli Museum' located in Tokyo!

🎟️ Ghibli Museum Reservation: How to Actually Get Tickets

The Ghibli Museum is strictly reservation-only. You can't just show up and buy tickets at the door. Let's be honest: getting these tickets is a nightmare. It's basically a "ticketing war." I've broken down the best ways to actually snag one so you don't end up empty-handed.

🟣 Method 1: Official Overseas Reservation (No Japanese Number Needed)

This is the most realistic and affordable official method for international travelers who do not have a Japanese phone number.

• Reservation Site: Lawson Ticket Official Overseas Site
• ➡️ URL: https://l-tike.com/st1/ghibli-en/
• ※ Please note this is different from the domestic Japanese page.

• Reservations Open: The 10th of every month at 10:00 AM (JST) for the following month.
• (e.g., December tickets → Open on November 10th at 10:00 AM)

Pros:

• No Japanese phone number SMS authentication required.
• Can be purchased at regular price (Adults: 1,000 JPY).
• Accepts overseas-issued credit cards (Visa, Master, etc.).

Cons:

• Fierce competition as travelers from all over the world connect simultaneously (Can be sold out immediately).

Preparation (Advance Steps):

1. Credit/Debit card capable of overseas payments
2. Email address
3. Mobile phone number (International numbers allowed)
4. Lawson Ticket (English) Account – Registration is mandatory in advance

📌 Reservation Tips:

• Residual seats are indicated by ○ / △ / × symbols for each time slot.
• The first slot (10:00) is the most peaceful and best for photography.
• Half of the tickets can disappear within 2–3 minutes of opening.
• Staying logged in 10 minutes before the opening is essential.

✅ How to Enter (Overseas Reservation):

• Present the voucher (barcode) issued in your 'My Page' after reservation.
• → While most smartphone screens are accepted, a printed copy is the safest.
• The name on the reservation must perfectly match your passport.

🟣 Method 2: Official Domestic Reservation via Lawson Ticket (Japanese Number Mandatory)

This method uses the Japanese domestic site and is only applicable if you have a friend living in Japan or a Japanese SIM card capable of receiving SMS.

• Reservation Site: Lawson Ticket Official Japanese Domestic Site
• ➡️ URL: https://l-tike.com/ghibli/

• Reservations Open: The 10th of every month at 10:00 AM (JST) for the following month.
• (e.g., November tickets → Open on October 10th at 10:00 AM)

Preparation (Advance Steps):

1. Lawson WEB membership registration
2. SMS Authentication using a Japanese phone number
3. Precise server time check
4. Overseas-issued credit card

⚠️ SMS Authentication: SMS authentication via a Japanese phone number (starting with 090/080/070) is mandatory during the sign-up and booking process. Because of this, most travelers without a Japanese number find this method very difficult.

📌 (Important Tip) Why should you know this method?

To be honest, the overseas site in 'Method 1' sells out in 1–2 minutes due to global demand. However, the Japanese domestic site typically has much more inventory. (In my experience, tickets for weekdays often remain available even after 10 minutes.) In other words, if you can overcome the 'Japanese number authentication' barrier, your actual success rate is overwhelmingly higher on the domestic site.

💡 How to Secure a Japanese Number:

• Friends in Japan: Asking a friend living in Japan is the most reliable way.
• Voice/SMS Capable SIM/eSIM: Preparing a Japanese SIM that allows voice calls and SMS reception (not data-only) before your trip is another option.

[Precautions for Ticket Purchase & Entry]

• Ghibli Museum is fully reservation-only. Tickets are not sold at the museum counter. Please purchase via the website in advance.

Purchase Information

• When purchasing tickets, registration as a Lawson WEB member (free) and mobile phone number authentication are required.
• All Ghibli Museum entrance tickets are managed by name. The name registered to the Lawson WEB account will be printed on all related tickets. Do not book tickets using a pseudonym.
• Tickets must be purchased using the account of the person visiting on the day. Furthermore, once purchased, tickets cannot have their names, dates, or times changed, nor can they be refunded.

🟣 Method 3: Using a Bus Tour Package Including Ghibli Museum Entry

In the past, standalone tickets were sometimes sold on platforms like Klook, but most have been discontinued. However, 'Tour Packages' that include Ghibli Museum admission are still available. This is the most realistic way to guarantee entry without the stress of ticketing.

• Pros: 100% entry guarantee without the fierce ticketing war.
• Cons: More expensive than standalone tickets and follows a fixed schedule.

➡️ [KKday] Ghibli Museum & Inokashira Park Half-Day Tour

➡️ [Klook] Ghibli Museum & Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum Bus Tour

🗓️ Reservation Rules & Tips

📌 Absolute Rules for Successful Reservation & Visit

• 1-Hour Rule: You must enter within 1 hour of your designated entrance time slot.
• Refunds/Changes Absolutely Impossible: Once booked, dates and times cannot be changed or refunded under any circumstances.
• ID Verification Mandatory (Bring Passport): You must bring your ID (Passport) matching the booker's name for identity verification.
• Group Entry: The whole group must enter together at the same time.

🚶‍♂️ How to Get to Ghibli Museum

The museum is located near Mitaka Station on the JR Chuo Line (approx. 20 min from Shinjuku Station).

• From Mitaka Station to the Museum:
  1. Community Bus (Recommended): Take the yellow Ghibli Bus from Mitaka Station South Exit, Stop 9. It takes about 5 minutes (210 JPY one way).
  2. On Foot: Walk along the 'Wind Promenade' (Kaze no Sanpomichi) for about 15 minutes. The scenery is beautiful along the way.

✨ Enjoying Mitaka Forest Ghibli Museum 100%

The museum's catchphrase is 'Let's Get Lost Together'. It's a unique concept where visitors become the main characters and discover things at their own pace in a maze-like building with no set route. Please study the following tips and rules before you go!

🟣 Don't Miss These

• Original Short Films (1 per person): Watch exclusive Ghibli shorts that can only be seen here. Don't miss it.
• Roof Garden 'Robot Soldier' Photo: The only official photo zone where you can take pictures of the 'Castle in the Sky' Robot Soldier.
• Mamma Aiuto Gift Shop: Full of limited edition goods found nowhere else.
• Straw Hat Cafe: A beautiful cafe that looks straight out of an animation. Take a break here.

🟣 Essential Rules

• Indoor Photography Strictly Prohibited: Strictly forbidden to protect works and the immersive experience.
• Cat Bus for Kids Only!: The plush Cat Bus is unfortunately limited to children in 6th grade and under.
• No Re-entry: Once you leave, you cannot re-enter.

Ghibli Museum Mitaka is more than just an exhibition space; it's a massive piece of art containing Hayao Miyazaki's philosophy. While the reservation process is competitive, the emotions and joy you'll feel once inside will be more than worth the effort. Plan your trip successfully to the world of Ghibli with this guide!

📍 Recommendations for Connecting Courses with Ghibli Museum

Ghibli Museum usually takes half a day, so it's best to plan your day by combining it with other nearby areas.

🌳 The Most Ideal Combination: Kichijoji

If you visit Ghibli Museum, the most ideal way to spend your day is by combining it with the neighboring Kichijoji. Since another end of the 'Inokashira Park' where the museum is located leads to Kichijoji's charming accessory shops and restaurants, you can have an experience where the Ghibli world feels like it's continuing into reality.

➡️ [Kichijoji Complete Guide] From Accessory Shops to Hidden Gems

🏙️ Start and End of the Trip: Shinjuku

The JR Chuo Line to Ghibli Museum departs from Shinjuku Station. You can fill your day perfectly by visiting Shinjuku, Tokyo's largest downtown area, before or after the museum to enjoy shopping, dining, and even the colorful night view.

➡️ [Shinjuku Travel Guide] Top Spots & Shopping Recommendations