Ghibli Museum Bus Stop Mitaka Stn.

If you are looking for a quick, reliable way to get to and from the Ghibli Museum from the JR Chuo line, look no further.
You do have other choices from Kichijoji station of walking for about 15 minutes (in unknown territory), trying to catch a taxi with drivers who often speak no English, or trying to figure out the complex bus system (again, without directions or announcements in English). You see where this is going? If you’re not familiar with the area, the language and/​or transportation options, this bus is your best bet.
As mentioned in my review of Mitaka station, the bus stop is #9, located on the SOUTH side of the station. As you exit the ticket gates, that’s turn left, walk about 30 meters to the station entrance, then turn left again. You’ll find yourself above street level at the entrance. Don’t worry, just keep walking straight, past the elevator (disabled persons are free to use the elevator), past the smoky smoking area, and down the stairs. The bus stop is near the bottom of the stairs, across the street to your right.
You’ll see the round ticket kiosk. This is where you buy the bus tickets. You can choose one-​way if you’re planning to explore and find your way back to Kichijoji (not Mitaka) after visiting the museum.
The busses come every ten minutes or so. Be careful to NOT get on a red bus, which goes somewhere else but uses the same bus stop. Wait for the bright yellow bus with Ghibli characters on the side.
After the bus arrives, board it and hand your ticket to the driver (or put it in the ticket machine — to be verified) then take a seat. The actual ride is less than ten minutes and you’ll get dropped off directly in front of the museum.
For your return trip, there is a uniformed staff who will direct you where to stand for the next bus to arrive.
The bus itself is clean, modern and air conditioned. Also, rest assured that because the travel time and distance are short, the fare is fixed but cheaper than normal commuter rates.
In case you are wondering, the fare is also much cheaper than the same distance by taxi from Kichijoji… and that’s for two people riding together. You’ll save about 40% total, even with the extra train stop at Mitaka.