Studio Ghibli fans have something rather special to look forward to this December, as some of the studio’s most recognisable worlds are set to leave the screen and become real-life experiences in Singapore. The Story of Studio Ghibli will make its world premiere at Gardens by the Bay on 18 December 2026, bringing visitors into a collection of life-sized environments inspired by beloved Studio Ghibli films.

This is not simply an exhibition where visitors walk around looking at posters, artwork and film memorabilia. The Singapore edition has been designed as a walk-through experience, allowing guests to enter recreated scenes and environments inspired by the stories that have captivated audiences for decades.

The exhibition will occupy almost 3,500 square metres at the West Lawn of Gardens by the Bay and feature 12 life-sized worlds. Visitors can expect familiar settings and characters inspired by films including My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and The Boy and the Heron.

Even better, the exhibition will remain in Singapore until 4 July 2027, so there is a generous amount of time to plan a visit.

A Walk Through Four Decades Of Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli has been creating animated films since 1985, when Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki came together to establish the studio. Since then, its films have become known around the world for beautifully crafted animation, memorable characters and stories that often explore nature, courage, friendship, kindness and hope.

The Story of Studio Ghibli is intended to celebrate that long history by allowing visitors to experience some of those imaginative worlds in a completely different way.

For longtime fans, it offers the opportunity to revisit familiar stories from a new perspective. For younger visitors who may only recently have discovered Studio Ghibli, it could be an entertaining introduction to the studio’s distinctive style and storytelling.

The scale of the Singapore presentation is also worth mentioning. This will be the largest presentation of The Story of Studio Ghibli to date, making the world premiere at Gardens by the Bay a particularly notable occasion for fans.

Meet Totoro And Wait For The Catbus

One of the scenes many visitors will probably be looking forward to is inspired by My Neighbor Totoro.

Guests will have the chance to stand beside Totoro while waiting for the Catbus, recreating one of the instantly recognisable elements from the much-loved film. For anyone who grew up watching the movie, being able to see such a scene recreated at life size should make for a memorable visit.

Another major installation comes from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. The exhibition will feature an encounter with the enormous Ohmu, giving visitors the chance to appreciate the scale of one of the film’s most distinctive creatures.

These are the sorts of installations that make this experience different from simply watching a Studio Ghibli film at home. Instead of sitting in front of a screen, visitors can physically walk into environments inspired by the stories.

Step Into The World Of Spirited Away

Fans of Spirited Away are also in for a major attraction.

Visitors will be able to wander through a recreation inspired by the mysterious streets of the film before coming face-to-face with a huge three-dimensional recreation of one of its most iconic figures.

According to the organisers, this section will feature the world’s first eight-metre-tall three-dimensional recreation of the character in question. Combined with the surrounding environment, multimedia elements and other effects, the installation is designed to create a strong sense of stepping directly into the animated world.

It should be one of the exhibition’s most impressive photo opportunities, although visitors will also want to take their time exploring the surrounding details rather than simply stopping for a quick picture.

Enter The Forest Of Princess Mononoke

The experience also takes a different visual direction with Princess Mononoke.

Its forest environment will be recreated using large-scale scenery, atmospheric lighting and projections. Preview material shows a dramatic woodland setting where large creatures appear among the trees, with shadows and projections helping to create a more mysterious atmosphere.

This part of the exhibition should appeal particularly to visitors who enjoy the darker and more dramatic side of Studio Ghibli storytelling.

The exhibition is not only about recreating famous scenes, either. Themes such as creativity, resilience and environmental stewardship are also expected to feature throughout the experience. Educational initiatives are being developed alongside the exhibition, with further information expected nearer to the opening.

Other Studio Ghibli Worlds To Discover

There is plenty more beyond Totoro, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.

The 12 worlds draw inspiration from a selection of Studio Ghibli films spanning different eras of the studio’s history. This includes Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle and The Boy and the Heron, giving visitors an opportunity to encounter both classic favourites and more recent stories.

With physical sets combined with multimedia installations, each section is intended to feel different. The result should be an experience that encourages visitors to slow down, look around and notice the small details.

For families, this could also be a fun way to introduce children to films that parents or older family members may already love. For couples and groups of friends, the recreated environments provide plenty of opportunities to explore together and take photographs.

Tickets Start From S$29 For Singapore Residents

For Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, concession admission starts from S$29, while adult admission is S$39.

Standard ticket prices vary depending on the visiting period. Off-Peak admission costs S$49 for adults and S$43 for concessions, while Peak admission is S$55 for adults and S$49 for concessions.

Concession tickets are available for children aged 3 to 12 and seniors aged 65 and above.

Tickets are available through Klook, which is the official ticketing partner for the Singapore exhibition.

There is also an Early Bird incentive worth knowing about. Adult tickets purchased between 12 September and 17 December 2026 come with an exclusive limited-edition gift, while stocks last.

That makes the period before the exhibition opens an interesting time to secure tickets, particularly for fans who already know they want to visit.

Why Should We Go And Enjoy This Deal?

There are plenty of exhibitions and attractions in Singapore, so what makes this one worth putting on the calendar?

For starters, this is the world premiere of The Story of Studio Ghibli. Singapore visitors will therefore be among the first people to experience this particular presentation, rather than waiting for it to travel to another destination.

The scale is another reason. With almost 3,500 square metres and 12 life-sized worlds, this is considerably more than a small gallery display. The walk-through format also means there is something to explore rather than simply a collection of items behind glass.

The long exhibition period is useful too. Running from December 2026 until July 2027 means visitors do not have to rush. Families can plan around the school holidays, while couples and friends can choose a quieter weekday visit if their schedules allow.

And for Singapore residents, the S$29 concession rate and S$39 adult rate make the experience more accessible compared with the standard Peak admission prices.

Of course, the biggest reason to go is simple: if Studio Ghibli films have been part of your childhood, teenage years or adult life, this is a chance to experience those stories outside the television or cinema screen.

Standing beside Totoro, exploring the streets inspired by Spirited Away or walking through the forest of Princess Mononoke is a very different way of enjoying these films.

With the exhibition opening on 18 December 2026, fans have plenty of time to make plans. Those interested in the Early Bird gift should also remember that the offer only applies to eligible adult tickets purchased by 17 December, and the gift is subject to availability.

For anyone looking for something different to do in Singapore over the coming months, The Story of Studio Ghibli could be an attraction worth adding to the list.

Book now: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/

Promotional/Event Details:

Date: 18 December 2026–4 July 2027
Time: 10am–7pm daily
Venue: West Lawn, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore
Tickets: From S$29 for eligible Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident concession tickets; adult Singapore Citizen/PR tickets from S$39
Early Bird: Adult tickets purchased from 12 September–17 December 2026 include an exclusive limited-edition gift, while stocks last
Highlights: 12 life-sized Studio Ghibli-inspired worlds across nearly 3,500 square metres