It goes without saying that the films by the Studio Ghibli are the best known animation around the world. If you are a big fan of the Ghibli films, you may dream of joining the world beyond the screen at least once. Hayao Miyazaki, a main director of Studio Ghibli, has been inspired by all over the world including Japan of course, which means Japan has many places closely related to the films. The Ghibli world is waiting for you!
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My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
This is one of the most popular films in Studio Ghibli. The forest where Mei and Satsuki run around is relatively close to the center of Tokyo unexpectedly. That is Sayama Hills, spreading from South-West of Saitama Prefecture to North-West of Tokyo Metropolis.
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1 Sayama Hills (狭山丘陵)
Nearest Station: Seibukyujo-Mae Station (Seibu Sayama Line/Seibu Yamaguchi Line)
*Please note that the hills are spreading around vast land, so take much time to hike there.
Check more details about Sayama Hills↓↓↓
Totoro Fund website
Edit descriptionwww.totoro.or.jp
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There is also a Japanese traditional house called Kurosuke’s House in Sayama Hills, which was named after that Makkurokurosuke.
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2 Kurosuke’s House (くろすけの家)
Business hour: 10:00–15:00 (on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday)
Address: 3–1169–1 Mikajima Tokorozawa-shi Saitama Prefecture 359–1164
Search this address “3–1169–1 Mikajima Tokorozawa-shi Saitama Prefecture 359–1164” on the Google map
Nearest Station: Kotesashi Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line)/ the South exit
Direction: Take the bus toward “Waseda University(早稲田大学)” and get off at the “Dainichido (大日堂)” stop. And walk for 5 min.
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Amazingly, the house Mei and Satsuki’s family lived in is recreated in Aichi Prefecture.
You can buy a ticket on the day until it is sold out (it starts to be sold from 8:30), however, it is safer to reserve it in advance here: http://l-tike.com/event/satsukitomei/ (Japanese only.)
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3 Satsuki and Mei’s House in Ai-chikyuhakukinen Park (サツキとメイの家)
Business hour: 10:00–16:30 (weekdays)/9:30–16:30 (weekends and holidays)
*Admission until 16:00
Address: 1533–1 Otsu Ibaragabasama, Nagakute-shi, Aichi Prefecture
(愛知県長久手市茨ケ廻間乙1533–1 〒480–1342)
Search this word “サツキとメイの家” on the Google map
TEL：+81–561–64–1130
Nearest Station: Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen Station (Linimo Line)
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Moreover, do you remember that big tree in the film? You can see the Totoro Tree in JINYA Ryokan in Tsurumaki hot spring area, Kanagawa Prefecture.
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4 Totoro Tree(トトロの木) in JINYA Ryokan (Tsurumaki Hot spring)
Address: 2–8–24 Tsurumaki-kita, Hadano-shi, Kanagawa 257–0001
Nearest Station: Tsurumaki-onsen Station (Odakyu Line)
Tel: +81–463–77–1300
Check the website of JINYA in English↓↓↓
鶴巻温泉 元湯 陣屋 旅館 – 老舗旅館で露天風呂付客室を楽しむなら、鶴巻温泉 元湯 陣屋へ
元湯陣屋は神奈川県 鶴巻温泉の老舗旅館です。お部屋ごとに趣向の異なる露天風呂付き客室もあり、日帰り入浴も楽しめます。東京・箱根の中間地の鶴巻温泉駅から徒歩5分、アクセスも抜群です！ 将棋名人戦の舞台としても有名の旅館www.jinya-inn.com
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Princess Mononoke (1997)
The story is set in Muromachi Period (approximately 1336 to 1573) of Japan as fiction. Hayao Miyazaki had been inspired by Shirataniunsuikyo( 白谷雲水峡), the mysterious forest in Yakushima. You can go there from Kagoshima Prefecture by airplane or cruise. Once you step into the forest, you feel as if you took a wander into the Mononoke World.
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5 Shirataniunsuikyo(白谷雲水峡)
How to get to Yakushima↓↓↓
Yakushima: Access and Orientation
About access and orientation on Yakushima Island.www.japan-guide.com
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Spirited Away (2001)
As is widely said, the setting is Taiwan. However, according to another theory, the director made the movie by looking at Dogo Hot spring town (道後温泉) in Ehime Prefecture as well as Taiwan. The atmosphere seems very close to the film.
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6 Dogo Hot spring town (道後温泉)
Nearest Station: Dogo-onsen Station
Check more details about Dogo Onsen↓↓↓
Dogo-onsen Hot Spring | Japan National Tourism Organization
Dogo-onsen Hot Spring, located in Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime, is the oldest spa in Japan, which is said to have 3…www.jnto.go.jp
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GHIBLI MUSEUM, MITAKA
You can’t find the contents until you actually enter the museum by yourself. But you will fully enjoy the familiar Ghibli world, and even kids who haven’t watched any Ghibli films will come to love the fairy-tale atmosphere. Fortunately, they have a special exhibition this year in commemoration of the 15th anniversary.
*It’s to be noted that you cannot be admitted without reservation.
Please refer to the website↓↓↓
The official site of Ghibli Museum, Mitaka in Japan
Our new exhibition opens on July 16. "All Aboard! The Cat Bus to the Ghibli Forest" © Studio Ghibli © Museo d'Arte…www.ghibli-museum.jp
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7 Ghibli Museum, Mitaka (三鷹の森ジブリ美術館)in Inokashira Park (井の頭公園)
Business hour: 10:00–18:00(close on Tuesdays)
Address: 1–1–83 Simorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181–0013
Nearest Station: Mitaka Station (JR Chuo Line)/ South exit
Search this word “Ghibli Museum” on the Google map
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