Studio Ghibli, especially the work of Hayao Miyazaki, has more and more fans around the world. The proof of this is that tickets to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka City are still sold out a few hours after the release. Miyazaki’s art has been inspired and reproduced all over Japan, which is why we can now visit 15 studio ghibli places of these works in Japan.
SHIRO-HIGE´S CREAM PUFF FACTORY
At Shirohige Cream Puffs Factory, you can enjoy Japan’s only Totoro cream puffs. This store is officially approved by Studio Ghibli. It is located near Shimokitazawa. All the items in this small bakery are inspired by Ghibli. The logo with a white beard image and the interior decoration look like things from the Ghibli movie.
All the cakes in this store are inspired by Totoro and some of his forest friends. You can buy Totoro cream puffs, cookies and even Totoro cakes. While there are egg and chocolate flavors year-round, other flavors are subject to seasonal restrictions. If you want to get one of these cute and delicious Totoro cakes, remember to book in advance.
GHIBLI MUSEUM IN MITAKA | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
If you are a Ghibli fan, then the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka should be the first place to visit. It opened on October 1, 2001 and celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2016. It has been around for a long time and is open year-round, but is still as popular as it was when it first opened.
Most of the exhibits in the museum are part of the permanent exhibit, as are the small items added here and there. However, the museum also offers special exhibits related to Ghibli. These exhibits are replaced approximately once a year. As of October 2017, the museum’s current exhibit is about food and its use in Studio Ghibli films.
Another thing that changes regularly are the short films that are shown in the museum’s cinema. These short films are only shown in museums and cannot be seen anywhere else.
Tickets to the museum can only be sold in advance and cannot be purchased at the museum. When purchasing tickets, you must choose the date and time you would like to visit the museum. Your choice is final and cannot be changed after purchase.
In Japan, tickets will go on sale on the 10th of each month next month. In overseas countries, you can purchase them through Klook and JTB Group.
Depending on the vendor and when you booked your ticket, the required visit dates may be sold out. Tickets to the museum sell out quickly, so we recommend that you book as soon as tickets sell out.
*If you need more information visit their official website here.
THE TOTORO FOREST IN SAITAMA | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
Sayama Hills is also known as “My Neighbor Totoro”, have always been the main source of inspiration for “My Neighbor Totoro”. Since then, its official name is “Totoro forest”. It also shows many drawings and places related to My Neighbor Totoro. A map with kawaii Totoro will show you the way and explain the different locations of Totoro around the forest. The most famous place in Totoro Forest is Kurinosuke House, also known as Totoro House. The house is named after Totoro’s sooty elves.
In Japanese, their name is Makkuro kurosuke. (The same characters also appear in Spirited Away under the name “Susuwatari”). There is a huge Chinchilla in the house and some scenes from the movie. You can also use the Totoro to take pictures. My Neighbor Totoro Forest is about 30 minutes walk from Seibu Kujomae Station in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture.
THE GHIBLI WATCH AT SHIODOME | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
The Ghibli clock in the Shiodome district, in front of the Nippon Television headquarters, is one of the largest free art exhibits in Tokyo. The clock was created by Hayao Miyazaki himself and built by Kunio Shachimaru (Kunio Shachimaru), the same artist who created the robot soldier on top of the Ghibli Museum.
In 2006, Hayao Miyazaki and Nippon Television showed a huge cuckoo clock, 10 meters high and 18 meters wide. Although Miyazaki himself has never confirmed its connection to (Hall’s moving castle), the similarity between the clock and Hull Castle cannot be denied. The film and the clock were made at approximately the same time. The clock goes into effect every day at 12 pm, 3 pm and 6 pm. An additional show was added at 8 pm to 10 am on weekends.
YOKOHAMA MOTOMACHI SHOPPING STREET | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
If you are already in Yokohama, maybe you should also visit Motomachi shopping street. This street should be the street where Haru met Muta in the movie “The Return of the Cat”. It is in the same area as the place that inspired “From up on Poppy Hill”, and you can also shop during your visit. Like Yamate, in general, this street has a certain European style. It is about 500 meters long and has many high-end fashion stores, as well as cafes and restaurants.
YAMATE IN YOKOHAMA | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
The Yamate area in Yokohama has been featured in the movie “From Up On Poppy Hill”. In fact, there is a flower shop that served as a model for the flower shop in the movie. There is also a butcher shop called.
“Maruei Shoten.” This place is believed to be the model for the scene where the main characters eat croquettes.
Yamate has a very idyllic feel to it. The buildings in Yamate are inspired by European architecture, just like those in the movie.
EDO-TOKYO OPEN-AIR MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
Studio Ghibli’s headquarters is very close to the museum, and Miyazaki seems to have been a frequent visitor during the creation of Spirited Away.
Miyazaki himself even created the museum’s mascot, a small caterpillar-like fellow.
When you enter the eastern region, you can clearly imagine how this will set the tone for films like Spirited Away. There is even an old streetcar on display that leads to the street. The interior of the streetcar looks very much like a train, carrying Chihiro and No-Face to Zeniba.
In addition to the opportunity to explore the world of “Spirited Away,” the museum also displays other interesting buildings. From traditional Japanese to Western people, the variety makes this museum a great place to step back in time.
SHIMA ONSEN IN GUNMA | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
Hayao Miyazaki himself has confirmed that there are a total of 3 hot spring hotels as inspiration for the baths in Spirited Away. Shima Onsen’s Sekizenkan is absolutely similar to the nighttime view of the Aburaya bathhouse in Spirited Away.
Just like the bridge in the movie, it even has a red bridge leading to it! The appearance seems very fragile. Although it is not noticeable during the day, it can actually be active during the night – just like the Aburaya! Once the yellow light is on and the outside of the bone is immersed in the dim light, it’s really creepy.
Besides being inspired by “Spirited Away,” it should also be the oldest wooden hot spring resort in Japan. Shima Onsen is located in Gunma and can be easily reached by bus or train from Tokyo.
KUSHIRO IN HOKKAIDO | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
Some people say that Kushiro in Hokkaido was the inspiration for the scene “When Marnie Is There”. This is one of the last Ghibli films outside of Hayao Miyazaki. Most Ghibli fans are very interested in Miyazaki’s films, so this may not be the first place they want to visit Ghibli.
However, even if not for a movie, Kushiro is a good place to visit – it has one of the three largest markets in Hokkaido with beautiful scenery! In addition, you can also taste the best seafood in Hokkaido here.
TOMONOURA IN FUKUYAMA CITY (HIROSHIMA) | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
The port city of Tomonoura has been confirmed as the inspiration for the image of “Ponyo”. You will find many places and buildings, all will remind you of “Ponyo”. The city is proud of Miyazaki’s artistic inspiration, and little Ponyo is everywhere.
Over the years, Tomonoura has become the setting for many TV shows and movies, not just “Ponyo”. This town is very old and you will find many interesting places. For example, Ota House of Tomonoura invented the technology to make Homeishu, a traditional wine made with 16 different spices.
GHIBLI SOUVENIRS: DONGURI REPUBLIC | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
Donguri Republic is the official Ghibli merchandise store. Here you can find all products from Studio Ghibli movies.
In the design of Ghibli movies, you can find almost anything you desire in your heart. From key chains and stationery to towels, toilet seat covers, rugs, flower pots and even miniature Ghibli figures, you’re sure to find items you want to use at home. This store really captures the magical world of Ghibli and is a lot of fun to explore.
The products sold here can be used not only as souvenirs, but also as exquisite gifts for your friends and family. Many of these products are limited editions and most are only sold in Japan.
You can find Donguri Republic stores in most major cities in Japan. There are many locations in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama and other areas.
HIRAKAWA IN AOMORI | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
Hirakawa, Aomori Prefecture, is the hometown of Seibien. Seibien is a Western-style house with a Japanese garden and was featured in the movie “The Secret World of Arrietty”.
The garden of the house is one of the three great gardens created in the Meiji period (1868-1912). It is even considered a nationally designated scenic spot and a popular tourist attraction.
In addition to Seibien, Hirakawa is also home to Hirosaki Castle and Josenji Temple where Buddhist monks prepare and offer coffee.
SHIBU ONSEN IN NAGANO | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
Kanaguya at Shibu Onsen is another of the three hot spring hotels that inspired “Spirited Away”. The appearance is definitely very similar to Aburaya’s daytime appearance. Its slender appearance and spire are very similar to the bath in the movie.
There are several key points in the interior of this hotel, which may also remind you of the interior of Aburaya. Nagano prefecture is a bit farther from Tokyo than Gunma prefecture, but definitely worth a visit.
DOGO ONSEN IN EHIME | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
Dogo Onsen in Ehime prefecture seems to be the most famous hot spring spa inspired by “Spirited Away”. Some people claim that although Hayao Miyazaki himself said otherwise, this is the only hot spring that inspired Aburaya.
In addition to the other two hot spring resorts, the entire hot spring town Dogo is said to be the source of inspiration for the film. The main building certainly looks like a possible model, but it lacks the iconic red bridge.
Dogo Onsen dates back 1,000 years and is one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan.
YAKUSHIMA ISLAND IN KAGOSHIMA | STUDIO GHIBLI PLACES
Yakushima is one of the Osumi islands in Kagoshima. Its mystical forest served as the main inspiration for Miyazaki’s masterpiece “Princess Mononoke”.
If you go deep enough into the forest, you really enter the world of Mononoke. Moss-covered walkways, rivers winding their way through the vegetation, huge trees towering over you as if they want to protect you from the world … Nothing but peace and nature.