Ghibli Through a Zen Lens
The exhibition takes its name from producer Toshio Suzuki's book, a series of dialogues between Suzuki and Zen monks exploring the philosophical currents running through Studio Ghibli's filmography. According to Japanese entertainment news site Comic Natalie, the show is built around Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron (2023), which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2024.
Visitors are guided through the experience as if led by the film's Grey Heron character, moving from otherworldly spaces into Studio Ghibli's creative workspace. The exhibition features 3D recreations of memorable scenes from across the studio's catalog, plus Suzuki's original zen paintings and handwritten calligraphy. The organizers want visitors to perceive "a zen way of seeing" that they believe runs through all of Ghibli's work.
The exhibition is co-produced by Studio Ghibli and Nippon Television, with Yomiuri Television, Yomiuri Shimbun, and Kyoto City among the hosts.
Ishida's Three-Film Ghibli Connection
Yuriko Ishida is one of Japan's most recognized actresses, and her relationship with Studio Ghibli spans three decades and three films. She voiced San in Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke (1997), Okiyo in Isao Takahata's Pom Poko (1994), and Miki Hokuto in Gorō Miyazaki's From Up on Poppy Hill (2011). Her appointment as the exhibition's official ambassador (応援団長, literally "cheerleading captain") reflects a push to draw audiences beyond the usual museum crowd.
"Zen and Ghibli. What captivating words," Ishida said in her official statement. "I intend to travel through the world of zen with a completely open mind. Please, everyone, join me."
Suzuki kept his own comment characteristically brief: "We've known each other for 30 years, and she hasn't changed."
A promotional video released on the exhibition's official YouTube channel shows the two experiencing zazen meditation together, with behind-the-scenes stories about Miyazaki and a conversation about their ideals for how to live. The channel plans to release additional content ahead of the October opening, including introductions to the displayed works and beginner-friendly Zen explainers.
Looking Ahead
Zen and Ghibli runs October 3 through December 6, 2026, at the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art's Higashiyama Cube gallery. The museum is closed Mondays, with exceptions for October 12 and November 23. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., last entry at 5:30 p.m.
No international touring dates have been announced. For overseas fans planning a fall trip to Kyoto, the Higashiyama Cube sits within the Kyocera Museum of Art complex in the Okazaki cultural district. Ticket details have not yet been released.