Ghibli Museum

Both avid and amateur anime fans love the Ghibli Museum. The museum showcases the work of Miyazaki Hayao's Studio Ghibli—the famous Japanese animation company that produced films like Spirited Away and Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. Don't expect formal, indoor exhibits. The facility's quirky interior design mimics the actual animation studio. There's also a kid's play area, a brief history of anime and a rooftop garden that features character sculptures. You can even watch a short film that plays exclusively at the museum and rotates each month.

Recent visits praise the Ghibli Museum and savor its uniqueness. One TripAdvisor user says, "It's not huge, but it is a fun-filled fantasy house with thousands of references to Miyazake's movies and characters."

The museum is located in the Mitaka-shi neighborhood within Miktaka Inokashira Park. Take the JR Chuo line to the Mitaka subway station and then walk along the Tamagawa Josui "waters" for about 15 minutes to reach the museum. Visitors are welcome 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Please note that you must buy tickets in advance online. For adults, admission costs 1,000 JPY (about $13 USD). To purchase them and to find out more information, head to the Ghibli Museum's website.