Ghibli Park in Aichi Prefecture is bringing a fresh twist to Japan’s traditional summer festival experience by featuring a Ponyo-themed version of the classic goldfish scooping game, kingyo sukui. The park invites visitors to test their skills by catching rubber balls adorned with figures or artwork from Studio Ghibli’s beloved film Ponyo, rather than live goldfish.
Summer festivals in Japan share similarities with county fairs in the United States, including fireworks, street food stalls, and carnival games. However, certain cultural elements—such as the distinctive goldfish scooping booths—set Japanese festivals apart. Kingyo sukui challenges participants to scoop goldfish using fragile paper nets, with any fish caught becoming their new pets. This requires careful handling, as the nets tear easily.
Ghibli Park’s adaptation of the game employs the super ball sukui variant, replacing live fish with high-bounce rubber balls inside which Ponyo figures or themed artwork are enclosed. Participants pay 500 yen (approximately US$3.45) per game and continue scooping until their paper net breaks. Winners take home their catches as souvenirs, eliminating the need to care for live pets or manage aquarium setups—a practical consideration for international visitors unable to transport live goldfish abroad.
Although Ponyo does not have a dedicated section within Ghibli Park, the game booth is located in Dondoko Forest, near Mei and Satsuki’s house from My Neighbor Totoro. The activity runs from July 19 through August 31, with an especially attractive draw in August when the park’s screening room will feature Hayao Miyazaki’s animated short The Whale Hunt, adding to the seasonal charm.
Visitors in August can also engage in traditional summer activities such as making kinako, a roasted soybean powder used in Japanese sweets, and may have the chance to experience Ghibli Park after sundown on select dates—offering a rare, atmospheric glimpse into the park’s enchanting world.
