How to buy Ghibli Museum ticket outside Japan

The Ghibli Museum (Mitaka, Japan) is a museum showcasing the work of the Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli. It is located in Inokashira Park in Mitaka, a western city of Tokyo, Japan. The museum combines features of a children's museum, technology museum, and a fine arts museum, and is dedicated to the art and technique of animation. Some features include a replica of the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro (1988), a café, bookstore, rooftop garden, and a theater for exclusive short films by Studio Ghibli.



Hours Of Operation: 10:00 - 18:00

The Museum is closed every Tuesday, except on these Tuesdays:
The Museum is also closed at Year-end and for New Year's Holidays, and for 2 periodic maintenance per year. Check official website for periodic maintenance date.
Periodic Maintenance 2: 7 November 2016 to 11 November 2016
Year-end and New Year Holidays: 27 December 2016 to 2 January 2017

Entrance to the Ghibli Museum is strictly by advance purchase of a reserved ticket which specifies the appointed date of the reservation. These reserve tickets can be purchased in Japan or from outside Japan - Australia. At the museum's entry, the reserve tickets are exchanged for a 35mm film strip that features a scene from one of the Studio Ghibli films.

Admission Fees (official)
Over Age 19 ¥1,000
Age 13-18 ¥700
Age 7-12 ¥400
Age 4-6 ¥100
Under Age 4 Free
*When purchasing the tickets outside Japan, charges will be calculated in your local currency at the current rate of exchange, and will also include a handling fee. 

Check out their official website for more details: http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/

How to buy tickets outside Japan

1. Sales by JTB Group overseas
Tickets go on sale from the first of each month for the following four months (for example, tickets for June 1 through September 30 go on sale on June 1).
Notes: Sold out easily | more expensive | official | http://www.jtbtravel.com.au/japan-tickets/ghibli-museum/

2. Sales online by Lawson Ticket
Tickets go on sale from the tenth of each month for the following month (for example, tickets for July 1 through July 31 go on sale on June 10).
Notes: New system | https://l-tike.com/st1/ghibli-en/

3. Ticket Agent in Japan - Bridge Japan
This is what I used last time. During my time of visit, everywhere else already sold out. The only option for me was to go directly to Lawson in Japan, but I don't want to be disappointed if the ticket sold out. So I used Bridge (shopping agent) and was really satisfied with the service. I recommend to use this one.
Price: ¥4,308 for 2 tickets (AUD $50) including postage to Australia. Time of visit was May 2015.