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Studio Ghibli is building a park for Totoro


Whaaaat? We're getting our own park?

2 Jun – Studio Ghibli plans to open a park based on one of its most popular productions, "My Neighbour Totoro".

Variety first reported that the studio is working together with the government of Nagoya's Aichi Prefecture to build the park on a 200 hectare plot of land that was previously used for the 2005 world exposition.

The expo also once housed a life-sized replica of Satsuki and Mei's house – the two young girls who are the main characters of "My Neighbour Totoro".

The plans for the park were unveiled by veteran Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki and Aichi governor Hideaki Omura, though no details on cost or financing.

Kotaku went into further detail, stating that instead of having heart-stopping rides like a theme park, the park will allow visitors to enjoy flowers and trees for all four season of the year.

Like an actual park, it will be made a place where visitors can take a relaxing walk in and just enjoy nature.

The park wouldn't be the first collaboration between Studio Ghibli and Aichi's government. In 2015, the two partnered-up for a Studio Ghibli exhibition as part of a larger prefecture-sponsored fair.

Studio Ghibli already manages a popular museum dedicated to the studio's co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki and other Ghibli animators in the Tokyo suburb of Mitaka.

"My Neighbour Totoro" is a 1988 classic anime movie created by Miyazaki about two girls and their adventures together with the forest spirits who live nearby, one of which is the famous Totoro.

The park is scheduled to be opened in the summer of 2020.





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