Expo Memorial Park (Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen) is the former site of Aichi Expo 2005, a world fair held in 2005. Often referred to as Morikoro Park (Morikoropaku), the park takes its nickname from Moriko and Kiccoro, the event’s beloved furry mascots. Since 2022, Expo Memorial Park has also been home to Ghibli Park, a must-visit attraction for Studio Ghibli fans.
The theme of Expo 2005 was “Nature’s Wisdom”, and sustainability was at its core. The expo grounds featured lush green parklands, eco-friendly transportation, and an advanced recycling program that separated waste into up to 17 categories. Many of the structures were built using recycled materials and were either designed for reuse or dismantled for recycling after the event.
What Remains at Expo Memorial Park Today
With the expo long over, much of the site has been converted back into parkland, though a few attractions remain. Some areas have been repurposed into a swimming pool and an ice-skating rink, while the popular Ferris wheel from Expo 2005 is still in operation. The former Robot Station building, which existed before the expo and was used to display robotics during the event, has now been transformed into a children’s activity centre. Visitors can also explore a small museum dedicated to the 2005 expo, preserving its legacy.
Ghibli Park: A Dream Destination for Anime Fans
In November 2022, Ghibli Park opened within Expo Memorial Park, bringing beloved Studio Ghibli films to life. Unlike a traditional theme park, Ghibli Park has no rides, focusing instead on immersive architectural recreations of locations from films like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle.
The park is divided into several themed areas, including:
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse – A massive indoor attraction featuring exhibitions, a cinema, shops, and interactive displays.
Dondoko Forest – A re-creation of My Neighbor Totoro, featuring Satsuki and Mei’s house and a lush forest trail.
Mononoke Village – Inspired by Princess Mononoke, this area highlights the movie’s historical and mythical themes.
Valley of Witches – Featuring buildings from Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Ghibli Park is reservation-only, so visitors must purchase tickets in advance through official channels.
Getting to Expo Memorial Park
One of the key innovations of Expo 2005 was its maglev train, the Linimo, which provided efficient, environmentally friendly transport to and from the expo site. Today, the Linimo Line remains a vital part of the area’s infrastructure and is still the best way to reach the park.
During the expo, no private parking was available, a rare policy for a global event, but one that aligned with its eco-friendly principles. While some parking has since been added, using public transport is still recommended.
How to Get There:
Expo Memorial Park is located in Nagakute-cho, Aichi, about 40 minutes from central Nagoya. To reach the park:
From Nagoya Station, take the Higashiyama Line to Fujigaoka Station.
Transfer to the Linimo Line and ride to Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station.
Expo memorial park is just one stop past Geidai-dori Station and the Toyota Automobile Museum.
Whether you’re revisiting the legacy of Expo 2005 or simply enjoying the park’s green spaces, Expo Memorial Park offers a unique blend of history, recreation, and sustainability.
Also on Happy Jappy
Expo 2005 Gallery
The Official Expo Website
http://www.expo2005.or.jp/en/index.html
