These Real Locations in Japan Inspired Studio Ghibli Classics
Add these to your travel goals.
(SPOT.ph) Studio Ghibli isn't just a name; it's a global sensation that has charmed its way into the hearts of animation lovers everywhere. If you're a hardcore Ghibli fan, then you probably have the Ghibli museum and theme park—these are two different things, FYI—as non-negotiables in your Japan itinerary.
While Ghibli is a fantastical universe, artist and Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki and his talented team have a knack for drawing inspiration from the real world. Japan is dotted with spots that breathe life into the heart-tugging Ghibli magic onscreen. So, open your drafted Japan itinerary and take notes, because you'll definitely want to squeeze one or more of these movie locations into your itinerary.
Also read: The Dreamlike World of Studio Ghibli: Essential Films to Watch
Check out these Ghibli movie locations in Japan:
My Neighbor Totoro: Sayama Hills, Saitama Prefecture
Let's start off the list with the most famous, most recognizable Studio Ghibli film: My Neighbor Totoro. If you recall the lush forest scenes from the film, this is inspired by the Sayama Hills in the Saitama Prefecture which is now referred to as "Totoro's Forest." This is protected by the Totoro no Furusato Foundation.
Totoro's Forest is quite huge so be prepared to walk through the dense forest, shrines, and temples, and don't forget to include the Kurosuke's House, whose name comes from Makkuro Kurosuke, a.k.a. the susuwatari, a.k.a. the black soot. There is a lifesize Totoro figure in one of the tatami rooms, a small museum to check out, and there's a tea factory and an old store that features a diorama of the film.
How to get there: Ride a train from Tokyo en route to Seibu-Kyūjō-mae station—a one-way ride takes about an hour. From there, it takes a 25-minute walk to the Totoro's Forest.
Spirited Away: Dogo Onsen, Ehime Prefecture
Spirited Away is another Studio Ghibli classic with a cult-like following. It tells the tale of Chihiro, a spoiled young girl who is transported to a magical world where she finds herself working in a huge bathhouse. She needs to find a way to free herself and for her parents to return to the human world after being turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba.
The bathhouse in this story is said to take inspiration from Dogo Onsen in the Ehime Prefecture. This is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, with a history stretching back over 3,000 years. It is extremely huge, with a three-story main building, and two annexes, the Tsubaki-no-Yu and the newer Asuka-no-Yu.
How to get there: It takes a one-hour airplane ride from Kansai Airport to Matsuyama Airport. From there, you can either take a limousine bus or taxi to get to Dogo Onsen Station. This is followed by a five-minute walk to get to the bathhouses.
Ponyo: Tomonoura, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Imagine a tiny, curious fish girl, all wide-eyed and full of wonder, who drifts ashore in a glass bottle. She is found by a five-year-old boy named Sosuke who decides to name her “Ponyo.” As the two main characters bond, Ponyo desires to become a human girl—you know, much like Ariel in Little Mermaid, but instead of a redheaded half-human, half-fish, Ponyo is a cute redheaded goldfish.
The charming seaside town where Ponyo and Sosuke meet is inspired by Tomonoura in eastern Hiroshima. It was reported that Miyazaki rented a place here for two months to research, enjoy the atmosphere, and interact with locals before starting the production of Ponyo.
How to get there: Tomonoura can be accessed from the Fukuyama Station (this is covered in the West Japan Railyway Pass) by bus. You can take the bus bound for Tomo Port and get off at the Tomonoura bus stop.
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya: Nara Prefecture
Studio Ghibli's The Tae of The Princess Kaguya tells the story of a bamboo cutter who discovers a tiny woman in one of the bamboo stalks. The bamboo cutter and his wife raise her as if she were destined for glory and royalty. But she had to leave her childhood behind in pursuit of happiness—her parents' version of happiness, at least—and without completely spoiling the beautiful, tear-jerker ending, the story's moral is that wealth does not equate to happiness. (We can't relate, but okay.)
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya is based on a Japanese folktale and is said to have its roots in Nara Prefecture, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. While there is no specific place in the prefecture where you can put side-by-side stills from the movie, the association with the prefecture is because of the several shrines, temples, and even World Heritage Sites.
How to get there: If you're coming from JR Osaka Station, you can take a train to Nara. The one-way trip is around 45 minutes.
Princess Mononoke: Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture
Princess Mononoke is a fantasy-adventure classic that tackles supernatural guardians of the forest and the humans who consume the forest's resources. Ashitaka, a young prince, finds himself in the power struggle of Princess Mononoke (spirits) and Lady Eboshi (humans).
The film's setting draws inspiration from the island of Yakushima in the Kagoshima Prefecture. The island is mostly covered in mountains, an ecosystem of plants and animals that UNESCO recognized in 1993. The forest hides Yakusugi or ancient cedar trees that are over 1,000 years old.
How to get there: Yakushima can be accessed by plane. There are direct flights from Osaka, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima airports. There's also an option to go by boat if you're coming from Kyushu.
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