A Must-See Ghibli Event in Tokyo

The Ghibli 3D Sculpture Exhibition has been popping up around Japan for decades, and anime fans in Tokyo are finally getting a unique opportunity to dive deep into the fantastic universe created by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki. This immersive Ghibli exhibition is returning to the city for the first time in 22 years, which means that fans old and new can discover the magic of their favorite Ghibli films brought to life through captivating, large-scale 3D installations, exquisite tiny dioramas, and behind-the-scenes tales of the people who brought Ghibli to the wider world.

See Ghibli Reimagined in 3D

This exhibition’s main appeal is the enormous, sometimes even life-sized sculptures designed to transform Ghibli’s iconic hand-drawn scenes into breathtaking 3D, from childhood favorites like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away to the more mature Ghibli films like Porco Rosso. Each piece intricately captures the charm and atmosphere of the original animations, offering visitors the rare chance to step into their favorite moments, blurring the line between fantasy and reality.

Some of the exhibits are even designed to insert you, the visitor, into the scene, offering a chance to become your favorite Ghibli character.

While some scenes are larger than life, others are reproduced in miniature, allowing a unique peek at iconic Ghibli settings.

Exhibition-goers can also take pictures in front of iconic Ghibli backgrounds, covering the walls with famous scenes, at a size you’ve never seen them before.

Behind the Magic: Ghibli’s Global Journey

While the beautifully sculpted visuals are what draw most people to this exhibition, the sculptures are interspersed with a thoughtful exploration of how Studio Ghibli’s stories have crossed borders and found hearts around the world, focusing on the real people who made it all happen. The exhibit emphasizes the vital roles played by the translators, curators, and cultural advocates who helped introduce Ghibli to international audiences across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Photos aren’t allowed in these areas, but they offer a fascinating look at the story of Studio Ghibli from a brand-new angle.

Exclusive Ghibli Screening: Miyazaki’s Short Film “Flying Machines of Fantasy”

For fans of the great director Hayao Miyazaki, one of the exhibition’s highlights is the rare screening of Flying Machines of Fantasy, a six-minute animated short. This whimsical piece showcases Miyazaki’s lifelong fascination with flight and fantasy vehicles, flying viewers through the ages to take a close look at how each new generation imagined the future of air travel. The short film is a delightful bonus for exhibition-goers – especially for Ghibli aficionados who want to devour every little thing the studio has created over the years.

Plan Your Visit to the Ghibli 3D Sculpture Exhibition

This 3D art exhibition is more than a showcase of popular Studio Ghibli creations – it’s a journey through animation history, highlighting the studio’s legacy of imaginative craftsmanship. Whether you’re a longtime Ghibli fan, or simply interested in learning more about this massively popular Japanese anime studio during your trip to Japan, you won’t want to miss this unforgettable experience, now open in Tokyo!

Studio Ghibli 3D Sculpture Exhibition, Tokyo (ジブリの立体造型物展　東京)
Dates: May 27 ~ September 23, 2025
Location: Warehouse Terrada B & C Hall, 2-1-3 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa City, Tokyo
Official Website (jp)

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