Ghibli Museum, Tokyo

I left my Ate at Ginza after she painfully toured me for hours at what she called "the biggest Uniqlo". I LOVE the brand so much, but that time I was already feeling antsy-anxious for my first commute alone in Tokyo. I was going to the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka!




The night before, I already researched and Googled how to commute to Mitaka. Ate's friend (our host in Tokyo) also helped me and made me download the efficient Tokyo MRT Map app. I just rode the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku, then went off to Mitaka.

Here's the complete guide on how to get to Ghibli Museum.

So many mishaps happened along the way! The train ride took forever, was longer than I expected, and I was running late (Ghibli Museum entry is by batch, so it's best to come on time!). I paid the wrong amount for my train ticket (kulang), buti nalang I asked the train guards and they allowed me to pay for my balance before exiting. Even after asking for directions, I got lost, and can't figure out which bus to take ...so I took the other option, I walked. Longest brisk walking in my Tita life! Haha!



But even with all the stress, I was a very very lucky girl. A nice Japanese couple that I asked for directions graciously went out of their way just to point to me the right directions. Before I knew it, I saw the tiny signs (with Totoro!) that lead me to the Museum.

The place is almost empty, and most of the recommended items from the menu were already sold out! When I read reviews online though, I realized I was lucky to be able to go in the cafe without its usual long lines!

Also, yey for taking photos inside the cafe! Somehow, the blogger in me missed the documentation part while in the museum, haha! Look at this:


I sat at the counter area to watch them cook, bake, and make coffee:


The place looks great! Every detail, from the lamp to the tissue to the plate, there's a touch of "Ghibli" characters or scenes.


What I had: Straw Hat's Chocolate Parfait (Y 790) and Coffee (Y 420). I just asked my server for her recommendations! Also, they have English menu at the Straw Hat Cafe.

Souvenirs you can avail at the cash register, before exiting the cafe:

I tried to maximize the remaining minutes by going around the museum one last time. I was able to enter a room with a mock-up animation studios where they showed the creative process of Hayao Miyazaki, from illustrating sketches, storyboards, to creating an animated film. Ang dami pang pwedeng makita!

When I went out of the restroom (which is also themed and cute, btw!), guards and museum personnel were already walking around and politely directed the guests toward the exit of the vicinity, before they allow the next batch the enter.

Before heading for the gate, tinapangan ko na and asked a guy who was taking photos of his friends to also take my picture with the giant Totoro manning the ticketing booth with the soot sprites, hehe:

YEY! Day made. :)


6pm! I was there for 2 hours, pero bitin padin!

With more time to spare, I opted to miss the bus again and just walk back to the train station, this time just strolling and in moderate pacing. Just outside the gates, I saw this cat looking at me (as if I was part of a Ghibli animation, hehe). Air was cool, it was almost dark, and the huge park I passed by going to Mitaka Station smelled like damp leaves and earth - everything's perfect in my standards.



Read more of my posts for: Japan 2015.
Purchase Ghibli Museum tickets online