How to get Ghibli Museum tickets in 2026

The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is the single hardest ticket to get in Tokyo. Entry is by advance reservation only, tickets are date-and-time specific, and they routinely sell out within minutes of going on sale.

The good news: the release schedule is completely predictable. If you know the exact moment tickets drop and you are ready, your odds are far better than most visitors realise.

When it opens in your timezone

People miss Ghibli tickets on the clock, not on preparation. Because they drop at a fixed Japan time, 10:00 JST lands the evening before in the Americas and the small hours of the morning in Europe. Convert that to your own timezone and set an alarm so you are logged in before the release, not scrambling after it.

Step by step

1. 1
   Know the release date

   Visiting in March? Tickets go on sale at 10:00 JST on February 10th. It is always the 10th of the previous month, at 10:00 Japan time.
2. 2
   Use the English Lawson site

   Overseas visitors should book through Lawson Ticket’s English page. The Japanese site requires a Japanese address and phone number; the English site does not.
3. 3
   Be ready a few minutes early

   Log in, have your details and payment ready, and refresh right at 10:00 JST. Entry slots are 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 — decide your preferred time in advance.
4. 4
   Match the name to your passport

   Tickets are checked against ID at the door. Book in the name that matches the passport of whoever will attend.

Watch out for

• •Resale is not allowed and names are checked at entry — never buy from a scalper.
• •Getting there even 60 seconds late can mean missing out entirely.
• •The time zone trips people up: 10:00 JST is the night before in the Americas.

Official site: Ghibli Museum (Mitaka)

Frequently asked questions

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