The Ghibli Museum reopened to the public Saturday for the first time following a roughly six-month closure prompted by the novel coronavirus outbreak.
While the number of visitors to the museum located in Mitaka, Tokyo was limited, it put a smile on the faces of many families to see beloved Ghibli characters, such as Totoro, after such a long wait.
The museum, with eyes on a full-scale resumption in January next year, has been inviting visitors through a lottery among Mitaka residents since late July.
In preparation for the reopening, an electronic ticketing system using smartphones has been introduced and the number of daily visitors has been reduced to about 30% to 40% of the usual number.
A room featuring a large plush version of the Cat Bus character from the film "My neighbor Totoro," is popular with children, but the museum has had to limit the number of people who can get on it at once. Thorough infection prevention measures, such as leaving a space between audience members, were also taken in the museum's small theater, where original anime shorts are shown.
"I'm so happy to be here at last. I enjoyed seeing the world of Ghibli expressed in so much detail," said a first-time visitor who brought along her husband and son, who celebrated his second birthday on the day.
Tickets are sold at Lawson Ticket kiosks and must be reserved in advance. Tickets for Sept. 17-28 (closed on Sept. 22 and 23) will be available from Sept. 10.
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