The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, in the western suburbs of Tokyo, transports you into the world of animated film maker Hayao Miyazaki. Rooms on several floors evoke the strange buildings which often appear in his films, and many other themes and ideas from the Ghibli Studio's animations such as My Neighbour Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Porco Rosso and Spirited Away.
There are hands-on and play activities for the under-12s, a café and patio.
The Saturn Theatre - an 80-seat mini-cinema in the basement - shows a 10-15 minute short original Ghibli animation not seen anywhere else, on a monthly rotation.
The museum shop "Mamma Aiuto!" was named after the sky pirates in "Porco Rosso" (it means "Mama, help me" in Italian).
There is also a reading room, with picture books and children's books which are recommended reading selected by the Ghibli Museum and its executive director Hayao Miyazaki.
It's a great day out for those with young families, or animation enthusiasts of all ages!
The Museum is managed by the Tokuma Memorial Culture Foundation for Animation, director Kiyofumi Nakajima.
See www.ghibli-museum.jp for more information.
