Aichi Prefecture, home to Ghibli Park, is brimming with places that feel like they’ve stepped right out of a storybook. Beyond the park itself, which recreates the world of Studio Ghibli films, you’ll find tranquil satoyama landscapes showcasing the beauty of the Japanese countryside, picturesque rivers and lakes, nostalgic old towns, fascinating animals, and passionate artisans preserving traditional crafts.
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To help you plan your trip smoothly, here are five themed areas of Aichi with attractions that perfectly complement a visit to Ghibli Park.
Aichi Japan Guide: Nagoya Area
Noritake Garden, Nishi Ward, Nagoya City
If you want to enjoy the European-style red brick scenery in Nagoya, Noritake Garden is the place to visit. Located about a 15-minute walk from Nagoya Station, this cultural industrial area was built on the original site of the Noritake ceramics factory, established in 1904. Today, the historic industrial heritage buildings sit within a beautiful green garden, offering a peaceful and friendly atmosphere.
As you stroll through the grounds, you can feel the craftsmanship and creativity behind the Noritake brand. The red brick buildings were once Noritake’s first factory during the Meiji period, and you’ll also see six tall chimneys reaching towards the sky. Entrance to the gardens is free, making it an ideal place for a stroll, and seasonal events are held year-round.
Inside the Craft Center on the first and second floors, you can observe the production process of Bone China porcelain, from shaping to the final hand-painting of the design. The second floor also offers a live painting experience, where you can create your own designs on plates or cups. On the third and fourth floors, the Noritake Museum displays Old Noritake works along with rare design sketches and archives.
At the café and restaurant, food is served on Noritake tableware, adding a special touch to your visit. The shop sells exclusive items that you can only find here.
For travelers starting their journey in Nagoya, Noritake Garden is easy to include in your itinerary. Opening hours are from 10 am to 5 pm, with shops open until 6 pm. Closed on Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, it closes the following day).
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, Nishi Ward, Nagoya
If you are fascinated by craftsmanship and the passion for creating things, you should visit the Toyota Industrial and Technological Memorial Museum. The museum is conveniently located near Nagoya Station and is built on the birthplace of the global Toyota Group. The museum utilizes original red brick factory buildings constructed in 1911, preserving them as important industrial heritage while sharing the history and development of modern manufacturing in Japan.
The museum is divided into two main areas: the Textile Machinery Exhibition Area and the Automotive Exhibition Area. The Textile Machinery Exhibition Area is housed in a well-preserved Taisho-era spinning mill building. Here, you can learn how textile machinery supported the development of modern Japan and see how technology has progressed over the years.
The Automotive Exhibition Area offers a large exhibition space of 7,900 square meters. You can enjoy dynamic demonstrations using real machinery along with guided explanations by operators. This experience is so comprehensive that many international visitors describe it as a place where you can understand it all about Toyota.
One of the museum’s most unique features is the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge technology inside the historic factory buildings. The sturdy columns and beams, along with high ceilings flooded with natural light, give you a sense of the origins of the craftsmanship and the spirit of innovation. The museum also has a library, restaurant, cafe, and museum shop, making it a great destination for families.
It’s just a 3-minute walk from Meitetsu Sako Station. Opening hours are from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays. Free parking is available for 220 vehicles.
Seto and Owariasahi Area
Maneki-neko Museum and STUDIO 894, Seto City
In Seto City, right next to Nagakute City – home to Ghibli Park – you’ll find adorable cat-themed spots: the Maneki-neko Museum and the adjacent STUDIO 894 pottery workshop. This is a delightful half-day trip where you can fully enjoy the world of maneki-neko, or waving cats.
The Maneki-neko Museum is one of the largest museums in Japan dedicated to waving cats. Its striking Western-style exterior immediately catches the eye, and inside, thousands of specially curated waving cats are on display. You’ll notice that some cats raise their right paw and some raise their left. Cats raising their right paw are believed to bring good luck and wealth. Discover the secrets of the waving cat and the meaning of a cat raising its left paw, all with audio guides in English.
Seto has been a world-renowned pottery town for over 1,000 years. At STUDIO 894 next to the museum, you can participate in daily maneki-neko cat painting sessions. The “Ceramic Doodle” experience allows you to decorate an unbaked ceramic cat with paint, crayons, or brushes. This experience is easy and fun for both adults and children. There is also a traditional pottery painting experience, where staff will glaze and fire your finished creation. If you attend a painting session, you can enter the Maneki-neko Museum for free.
Both locations are open from 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Tuesdays. The last admission time for painting sessions is 3:30 pm. It’s only a 20-minute drive from Ghibli Park in Nagakute, making it very convenient to visit. From Nagoya Station, it’s about a 50-minute ride on the Higashiyama and Meitetsu Seto subway lines.
Owariasahi, Japan’s number one city for delicious black tea
Owariasahi is famous throughout Japan for its impressive collection of black tea shops. The city boasts 15 cafes officially certified by the Japan Tea Association as “shops with excellent black tea,” the highest number in the country. Each cafe focuses on the tea source, brewing method, and distinctive cup, allowing you to enjoy black tea in a slow and relaxed atmosphere.
While larger cities often have an advantage in terms of the number of shops, Owariasahi City has taken the top spot, surpassing both Nagoya and Osaka, based on the number of shops that passed the most rigorous evaluations. Some shops also offer English-language support, making the experience more friendly for international visitors.
Every November, the local Tea Festival in Owariasahi attracts black tea lovers from across Japan. The event is bustling with tea tastings, workshops, and limited-edition tea experiences.
Owariasahi is easily accessible by public transport from Nagoya. From Nagoya Station to Owariasahi Station takes approximately 40 minutes by subway on the Higashiyama and Meitetsu Seto lines.
Chita Area
INAX MUSEUMS and Pottery Trail in Tokoname City
Look up at the tall brick chimneys, walk along the quaint slopes lined with clay pipes, and feel the spirit of the craft. Tokoname offers a nostalgic journey where you can experience the old town landscape and the heart of traditional craftsmanship.
Tokoname is famous for Tokoname pottery and, along with Seto, is listed as one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns. Local clay has long been used to create earthen pipes, tiles, teapots, and many other everyday items in various forms.
Within the INAX MUSEUMS complex, you’ll find seven themed sites, including Kiln Plaza, the INAX Brick Museum, the Toilet Museum, and INAX Clay Works. These sites utilize interactive and sensory-stimulating exhibits, bringing you closer to the world of clay and ceramics. One of the highlights is the 22-meter-tall brick chimney that rises above your head. Inside the preserved kiln within the old clay pipe factory, you can watch the illuminated flames simulate the intense feeling of a real firing. The museums are open from 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Wednesdays, except for national holidays.
About a 10-minute walk from the museums is the starting point of the Pottery Path. There are two routes, 1.6 km and 4 km long. Along the way, you’ll pass rows of brick chimneys and kilns, slopes paved with clay pipes, and a giant maneki-neko cat statue. The narrow alleyways feel like a captivating labyrinth, exuding a unique atmosphere.
From Meitetsu Nagoya Station to Tokoname Station, the express train takes approximately 30 minutes. The area is also close to Chubu Centrair International Airport, and there is a free shuttle bus from the airport.
Handa Red Brick Building, Handa City
The Handa Red Brick Building, constructed in 1898 and registered as a Tangible Cultural Property, was once the Kabuto Brewery. It now houses a full-size replica of the Kabuto Beer advertising tower featured in Studio Ghibli’s “The Wind Rises.”
Designed by architect Tsumaki Yorinaka, the Handa Red Brick Building is one of the largest brick structures of its kind in Japan. In the film, the Kabuto Beer Tower appears around Nagoya Station. This tower actually existed before the old Nagoya Station and was once a local landmark. The tower’s design was faithfully recreated in the film, making the scene from that era more authentic.
In March 2022, the tower was rebuilt to its original size, approximately 10 meters tall, within the grounds of the Handa Red Brick Building. Its nostalgic design and the prominent “Kabuto Beer” lettering immediately attract attention and become a popular photo spot.
In the permanent gallery, you can view historical advertisements, various beer bottle designs, logos from different eras, and architectural details that tell the story of Kabuto Beer and the cultural value of the Handa Red Brick Building. The shop also sells a restored version of Kabuto Beer.
From Meitetsu Nagoya Station, the nearest station is Sumiyoshicho, about a 40-minute train ride away.
Nishio Area
Sakushima Island and Mikawakogei Glass Art Museum, Nishio City
Step into the world of art on Sakushima Island, a small island floating in Mikawa Bay, and the Mikawakogei Glass Art Museum in Nishio City.
Sakushima is famous for its impressive outdoor art installations, such as the pristine white East House and the black cube-shaped Nap House (Ohirune) – popular photo spots. The entire island is like a large outdoor art stage. With the sparkling sea view and vibrant artwork, you can enjoy a relaxing break from the daily grind. The ferry ride to the island takes about 20 minutes from Isshiki Port. You can explore the artworks at your own pace and enjoy a delicious bowl of fresh seafood along the way.
After returning from Sakushima, drive about 15 minutes to the Mikawakogei Glass Art Museum in the afternoon. The museum features the Guinness-certified Sphere – a giant kaleidoscope – along with Shiki (Four Seasons), a space of mirrors reflecting the entire landscape. These colorful and surreal works make you feel like you’ve stepped into another dimension. The museum allows photography throughout, making it an ideal spot to capture travel moments.
From Ghibli Park, you can easily travel by rental car, about 1.5 hours each way. A morning visit to Sakushima and an afternoon visit to the museum will give you the opportunity to enjoy both nature and art in the same day.
Oku Mikawa Area
Yotsuya Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields and Atera Seven-Tiered Waterfall, Shinshiro City
Leave the city behind and visit Yotsuya Senmaida and Atera Seven-Tiered Waterfall in Oku Mikawa to experience the rich beauty of Japan’s natural landscape.
Start with Yotsuya Senmaida, a spectacular cluster of terraced rice fields spread across the slopes of Mount Kurakake, which rises to an altitude of 883 meters. Approximately 420 terraces are arranged in a terraced pattern with elevation differences of about 200 meters. The landscape changes with the seasons, from the vibrant green of spring to the golden hues of autumn harvest. Yotsuya Senmaida is so beautiful that it has been selected as one of the “100 Most Beautiful Terraced Rice Fields in Japan”.
Next, head to the Seven-Tiered Atera Falls, designated a national scenic spot and natural monument. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Yotsuya Senmaida.
The waterfalls cascade down a seven-tiered rock formation with powerful force and are listed among the “100 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Japan.” Near the pool below the falls, you’ll find a large rock called Kodaki-ishi, believed to bring blessings for childbirth. From the green of spring to the red of autumn leaves, the gorge is awash in color. Sunlight reflecting on the mist creates a magical scene that soothes the mind. There’s a walking trail, so families with young children can explore with peace of mind.
In summary, these are some of the best sights to explore around Ghibli Park. Is there anything that interests you? When planning your trip, fully enjoy the “Aichi and Ghibli Park” itinerary – an experience you can only have in this region of Japan.
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Tokyo you can refer to
- Mt Fuji & Hakone Day Tour: Lake Ashi & Ropeway Day Trip from Tokyo
- Nikko Cultural Day Tour from Tokyo
- Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48, or 72 Hours)
- Shuttle Bus Transfers (One Way/Round Trip) from Shinjuku/Ikebukuro to Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea
- Tokyo Disney Resort Park Ticket
- Klook Pass Greater Tokyo
- SHIBUYA SKY Ticket
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter Ticket
- Skyliner Narita Airport Express Ticket
- TeamLab Planets Ticket
- TOKYO SKYTREE® Ticket
- Limousine Bus Narita or Haneda Airport to Tokyo
- Skyliner Narita Airport Express With Tokyo Subway Ticket
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass
- Sky Hop-on and Hop-off Bus Pass
- 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
- JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)
Are you looking for more Tokyo travel guide and top things to do in Tokyo: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Tokyo itinerary 3 days — What to do in Tokyo in 3 days?
