For many people, the first encounter with Studio Ghibli films came through the television program "Friday Road Show." Since airing Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in 1986, the show has broadcast Ghibli titles more than 200 times, turning Friday evenings into a nationwide shared experience unlike any other.
The Friday Road Show and Ghibli Exhibition traces the history of that program alongside the story of Studio Ghibli itself, unveiling previously untold behind-the-scenes stories and creating spaces where visitors can step directly into the worlds of these beloved films. The exhibition is heading to Saga for the very first time, opening at the Saga Prefectural Museum in autumn 2026.
Exhibition Highlights
Point 1: Ghibli Films Through the Decades
A Comprehensive Database Tracing the History of "Friday Road Show" and Ghibli
"Friday Road Show" has aired Studio Ghibli works more than 200 times over the years. The history of the program runs parallel to Ghibli's rise to popularity and the establishment of its enduring reputation — and that history continues today.
The year 1985 was when both the program began and Studio Ghibli opened its studio doors. It was also the year Nippon TV first broadcast Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind as a special program. The exhibition takes 1985 as its starting point, carefully revisiting the era in which each Ghibli film was released in cinemas and then first broadcast on "Friday Road Show." By uncovering the social backdrop of the Shōwa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras, the exhibition highlights both the timely relevance and timeless appeal of each work.
Storyboards from Nearly Every Ghibli Film on Display
Storyboards from nearly all Studio Ghibli films — from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) to Earwig and the Witch (2020) — are on display. As the blueprint of a film, storyboards break scenes into panels to convey composition, dialogue, and the director's vision. Seeing these working documents up close offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the finished films.
Point 2: Step Inside a Ghibli Poster
Ghibli Movie Poster Studio
A photo installation lets visitors step inside the posters of Studio Ghibli films and pose like the main characters, as if they had wandered into a fictional studio or stumbled into a film's world. Featured works include Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, The Cat Returns, and Ponyo, among other popular titles.
AR Experience: Become a Borrower
"The World of Arrietty" AR
In collaboration with special sponsor au (KDDI), an AR experience is available within the venue. Download the free app "SATCH X," then scan the AR marker near the The Secret World of Arrietty poster in the Ghibli Movie Poster Studio to experience Arrietty's perspective — surrounded by enormous plants and insects in augmented reality. Images and video can be saved to your smartphone.
Point 3: The Ghibli Lantern Tower — Wrapped in Light and Sound
A large-scale installation called "The Ghibli Lantern Tower" fills the hall with light and sound. A "magic lantern" projects enlarged images onto a screen by shining a powerful light through film or sculptural forms — a dreamlike device rooted in history. Glasswork was produced by the Toyama Glass Art Institute, Toyama Glass Studio, and local artists in Toyama, Japan's city of glass, under the supervision of Studio Ghibli. By illuminating glass pieces based on Ghibli characters, visitors can experience the atmosphere of the films through both light and sound.
Point 4: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind — The World of the Ohmu
The Origin of "Friday Road Show" and Ghibli
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind stands as the origin point of both "Friday Road Show" and Studio Ghibli's shared history. The exhibition features sculptural works created by Takayuki Takeya — a sculptor with fans around the world — and others, bringing to life the "Sea of Decay" from the film. The space features intricately crafted Ohmu, dragonflies, and Mushroom Seeds that await visitors at an exceptional level of quality.
AR Experience: Lost in the Sea of Decay
"Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind — The World of the Ohmu" AR
In collaboration with special sponsor au (KDDI), an AR experience is available at the Ohmu exhibit. Download the free app "SATCH X" and scan the AR marker at the Ohmu installation to see a spectacular herd of Ohmu appear in augmented reality. What happens next is for visitors to discover at the venue.
About "Friday Road Show"
A film program that has been broadcast on the Nippon TV network since 1985, "Friday Road Show" began when the airing day of the earlier "Wednesday Road Show" shifted to Friday and the program was rebranded. Since first broadcasting Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (directed by Hayao Miyazaki, 1984) in 1986, the program has aired Studio Ghibli works more than 200 times. From 1997 to 2009, an original short film produced by Studio Ghibli — with music by Joe Hisaishi — opened each broadcast. The program's character "Friday Uncle" was created by director Hayao Miyazaki and brought to its final form by Yoshifumi Kondō, who later directed Whisper of the Heart.
Note: The first broadcast of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was in 1985 as a Nippon TV special program.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition Name: Friday Road Show and Ghibli Exhibition — Saga
Dates: November 3, 2026 (Tuesday/National Holiday) to February 14, 2027 (Sunday)
- Closed Mondays (if Monday falls on a national holiday, the museum is closed the following weekday instead)
- Year-end/New Year closure: December 29, 2026 (Tuesday) to January 1, 2027 (Friday)
Venue: Saga Prefectural Art Museum / Museum (15-23 Jonai 1-chome, Saga City, Saga Prefecture)
Organizer: Friday Road Show and Ghibli Exhibition Saga Executive Committee (FBS Fukuoka Broadcasting, and others, planned)
Co-organizer: Nippon Television
Special Sponsor: au (KDDI Corporation)
Sponsor: TOPPAN Chore
Exhibition Cooperation: A Factory
Special Cooperation: Studio Ghibli
Saga Cooperation: Saga Prefecture
