On February 28, Ghibli Park unveiled the new “Valley of the Witches” area for the first time at a media preview.
The “Valley of the Witches,” which will open on March 16, is a European-style area inspired by the Studio Ghibli films in which witches appear.
The “Guchoki Bakery” where the main character Kiki and the black cat Gigi lived in “The Witch’s Delivery Service” and the “Okino Residence” where they spent time before leaving to train as witches in “The Witch’s Delivery Service”, the “Hatter’s Hat Shop” run by the main character Sophie from “Howl’s Moving Castle”, the 20 meter tall “Howl’s Castle”, the “Witch’s House” where Arya, the main character from “Arya and the Witch” was taken in, etc. The Witch’s House, where Arya, the main character of “Arya and the Witch,” was taken in, and other structures will be built.
Other playground equipment includes a “merry-go-round” decorated with motifs of vehicles and characters from the film, a “tower of airplane riders,” a children’s playground inspired by the home of a boy who longs to fly like Pazoo and Dragonfly, and a “flying machine” where visitors can enjoy the world of Laputa.
Restaurants and stores have also opened in the area. The brick restaurant “Flying Oven” offers European-style oven dishes such as pies and quiches. The “Hot Dog Stand Hot Tin Roof” specializes in takeout, selling hot dogs with large sausages sandwiched between cat-hand shaped buns, beer, fries, and other items.
The store “13 Witches” will offer a lineup of goods featuring buildings and items from the Valley of the Witches on unique shelves, as well as original products inspired by the works.
Tickets will be renewed for admission in March, when all five areas of the park will be combined with the opening of “Valley of the Witches.” Tickets will be changed from conventional tickets sold by area to tickets that allow visitors to explore multiple areas of Ghibli Park.
Tickets will be available by reservation only, and will go on sale at 2:00 p.m. on the 10th of each month, two months prior to admission (tickets for May admission will go on sale at 2:00 p.m. on March 10).
Goro Miyazaki, the director of Studio Ghibli who directed the production of the Ghibli Park, took the stage at the briefing session held at the Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan, where the Ghibli Park is located. I am also filled with gratitude to the people of Aichi Prefecture, the design company, the construction company, and all the other people involved in the project.
© Source travel watch