ANN had the opportunity to speak with Studio Ghibli President Toshio Suzuki last month at a press event regarding the studio’s new “Valley of Witches” area at Ghibli Park, his recent Academy Award win, and the renowned director Hayao Miyazaki.
A theme park unlike any other may be found in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, at Ghibli Park. The park, which opened in 2022, is more about experiences with Studio Ghibli themes than it is about rides. “Valley of the Witches,” Ghibli Park’s newest (and biggest) section, opened for business on March 16, 2024. Exploreable recreations of Howl’s Moving Castle from the same movie, Baba Yaga’s home from Earwig and the Witch, Kiki’s house and the bread shop from Kiki’s Delivery Service, and more may be found in this region. Toshio Suzuki, President of Studio Ghibli, sat down with media the day before the official inauguration after personally touring the new space.
Although Suzuki is in charge of Studio Ghibli, Goro Miyazaki—the son of Hayao Miyazaki and director of the Studio Ghibli movies Tales from Earthsea, From Up on Poppy Hill, and Earwig and the Witch—is the guy behind Ghibli Park. Recalling his lengthy acquaintance with the individual, Suzuki said, “I’ve known Goro-kun since he was a junior in high school. I didn’t think I would ever collaborate with him, but we have since done projects together on Ghibli Park, movies, and the Ghibli Museum, so I was really touched to witness Valley of Witches today.”
Goro Miyazaki is most recognized outside of Japan for his directing work, but Suzuki feels that he was the ideal choice to create Ghibli Park. “You all know that movies are two-dimensional objects, right? We work with three-dimensional items at Ghibli Park. As a landscape architect, Goro-kun’s initial profession was working with three-dimensional items,” Suzuki clarified. “[After visiting Valley of Witches], I discovered once more how much Goro-kun enjoys watching movies and how much more of a creative guy can be when given three-dimensional materials to work with. Goro-kun must be really happy, in my opinion. That was my first thought while exploring the Valley of Witches. It brings me some small joy.”
Suzuki is very pleased with the outcome of Valley of Witches, particularly how authentic everything seems. “In a typical theme park, the ‘wooden’ support beams are actually steel frames that have been painted to resemble wood. That and the actual thing, in my opinion, differ greatly. This time, whatever Goro-kun has made is authentic.”
Even so, Goro Miyazaki didn’t hold the same strong views as Suzuki, even though Suzuki considered this to be quite significant. “I questioned Goro-kun if using real wood or faux wood was better. ‘It’s about the same no matter how you do it,’ he added. Thus, I suppose that our perspectives on this matter are divergent.”
The World Expo 2005 site, the massive Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, is where Ghibli Park’s many regions are spread out over. Suzuki was apprehensive to develop the theme park in his hometown because it would just be a short train ride away. “To be honest, I wasn’t initially fond of the idea when we chose to recreate Ghibli Park here. Since I’m from Nagoya, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to leave the interview room, Suzuki jokingly said. “There were lots of possible places. But I thought, ‘Maybe it’s just another twist of fate,’ when Goro-kun selected this site, the old World’s Fair site, out of all the proposals. In any case, everything worked out nicely.”
The discussion naturally turned to Hayao Miyazaki, the well-known director and longtime friend of Suzuki, as it does with most things pertaining to Studio Ghibli. Suzuki responded with a succinct yet moving anecdote when asked if Miyazaki had visited the Valley of Witches in the same way as he had. “He hasn’t visited the “Valley of Witches” yet, but he has already visited Ghibli Park covertly once. Since he’s well-known, I asked him to wear some disguise. I believed that would be preferable. Suzuki gave an explanation. “All he said about the experience was, ‘It was well done,’—he was giving his son a bit of praise.”
Regarding whether Miyazaki will return to visit the park in the future, Suzuki made some remarks that provide further light on Miyazaki’s character. “As of yet, I’m not sure if he will visit the Valley of Witches. It’s likely that he is conflicted about seeing it. In the event that you see something, you will wish to discuss it. He’s not the kind of guy who can sit quietly, you know. To be honest, those kinds of people can be a hassle to other people. I believe this is the main reason he is delaying his visit for the time being.”
Of course, this does not imply that Miyazaki has no connection to the events occurring at the park—just because he hasn’t been there in a while. “Hayao Miyazaki was asked by Goro-kun to create something for Ghibli Park. I mean, it makes sense that I would know what he is making since we meet every day. However, it remains a secret.”
Suzuki discussed how he and Miyazaki responded to the news, given that this conversation took place just a few days after The Boy and the Heron took home the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Suzuki commenced, “We met right after the press conference [on March 11] and chatted about nothing in particular,” before reminiscing. “I never thought he’d announce his retirement, then retract it, and then start working on movies again.”
“We didn’t give the Academy Awards any thought. Simply said, we’re too old for that. I was afraid we might not make it!” Suzuki, who was seventy-five, laughed. “Miyazaki told me he was delighted that he made it to the end of the film’s production.”
“However, we didn’t discuss the Academy Awards face-to-face,” Suzuki stated, going back to the first subject. You know, that would be too embarrassing. I don’t want to tell to someone directly, “We did good, you know?” at this age.” After chuckling, Suzuki said, “So we have that kind of conversation over the phone.”
The Valley of Witches at Ghibli Park is open seven days a week. Tickets can be bought from the park’s official website by visitors from countries outside than Japan.
