NAGAKUTE: A new area, “Valley of Witches,” reproducing the worlds of “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and other Studio Ghibli Inc. films was unveiled to the press on Wednesday at Ghibli Park in this central Japan city.

The launch of the Valley of Witches area, scheduled for March 16, will mark the full opening of the theme park in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, that consists of five areas themed on films by the Japanese animation powerhouse.

The new area in an atmosphere with European touches, the biggest of the five, has The Okino Residence, where the main character from Kiki’s Delivery Service was brought up, and Guchokipanya Bakery, which appeared in the film.

Also in the area is creature-like Howl’s Castle, with a height of some 20 meters, described in “Howl’s Moving Castle.”

Other features in the Valley of Witches area include a carousel decorated with vehicles, animals and other images from Ghibli films, as well as a Flying Machine ride for children.

Visitors will have to choose from three kinds of tickets to book in advance. Ghibli Park O-Sanpo Day Pass Premium, allowing parkgoers to visit the all five areas and go inside five buildings, is priced at 7,300 yen for adults and 3,650 yen for children aged between 4 and 12 years old on weekdays and 7,800 yen for adults and 3,900 yen for children on weekends and holidays.

The theme park is located on a 7.1-hectare site. Since 2022, the four other areas have opened in stages, showcasing attractions themed on such movies as “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Whisper of the Heart.”

JIJI Press