Step Into Totoro-Land In Japan
Photo Credit: @hijessicaanne
Totoro is probably the childhood magical creature of all children who grew up watching Studio Ghibli films - this oversized furry creature with pointy ears and long whiskers is loved for being gentle despite its size. If you're a fan of Totoro or Studio Ghibli films in general, you'll be delighted to find out that there are actually a handful of dreamy locations in Japan that ooze Totoro-charm! Check out some of our favourites and add them to your Japan travel bucket list.
8 Totoro-Inspired Locations In Japan
1. Totoro Bus Stop, Saiki (ととろバス停)
Photo Credit: @jmix_mao
Tucked away in the outskirts of a Japanese city called Saiki is a quaint bus stop with the name Totoro (ととろ). According to the locals, the place and bus stop has always been called Totoro, even before the birth of the iconic film character. Whether the furry character Totoro was named after the location remains a mystery till today.
Photo Credit: @jmix_mao
Approximately a decade after the film was released, illustrated boards featuring characters of the film like Totoro, Satsuki, and Mei appeared at the bus stop, turning it into a little exhibit that has become popular amongst locals and tourists over the years. While the original artist of the artwork remains unknown till today, the boards are renewed and kept clean by mysterious 'volunteers' from time-to-time!
- Address: 轟 Ume Oaza Minamitabaru, Saiki, Oita 879-3302, Japan
2. Life-Sized Totoro Statue, Miyazaki
Photo Credit: @_tonton_gram_
The construction of this adorable life-sized Totoro sculpture comes with a heartwarming backstory. Located in front of a beautiful field in Takaharu, a little town in Kyushu, this Totoro statue is a symbol of love from a pair of Japanese grandparents, built with their bare hands for their grandchildren.
Photo Credit: @ikeimage
The 70-year-old elderly couple constructed the Totoro statue from scratch with a base made out of wood and plastered with layers of concrete and bricks. Today, the statue serves as a bus stop with a beautiful mountain as its backdrop, and has attracted Totoro fans from all over the world to pop by and say hi.
3. Shirohige's Cream Puff Factory, Tokyo
Photo Credit: @xiaow3i
Photo Credit: @hijessicaanne
If these Totoro cream puffs aren't the cutest, we're not sure what are! Truth be told, we probably won't even have the heart to take a bite (though we heard they're extremely delicious). Nestled in a quiet residential area in Tokyo, the Shirohige's Cream Puff Factory is housed in a two-storey Western-style building surrounded by lush greens.
Photo Credit: @xiaow3i
Photo Credit: @prossimafermatagiappone
The store is filled with adorable Totoro signs, Totoro decorations, and even pictures hand-painted by Hayao Miyazaki himself. Fun fact: this shop is managed by Hayao Miyazaki's sister-in-law and all the pastries here are 'approved' by Hayao. Bite into Totoro-shaped cream puffs filled with delicious custard or chocolate!
Photo Credit: @the_coach
Besides custard and chocolate fillings, seasonal flavours are also released at different phases of the year, with fruits such as banana, strawberry, peach, raspberry, and mango. Grab yourself one and hang out in the cosy ambiance of the store as a break from your sightseeing.
- Address: 5 Chome-3-1 Daita, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0033, Japan
4. Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Photo Credit: @juliexjapan
Photo Credit: @sangeun729
This one's definitely a must-visit for fans of Totoro and Studio Ghibli films! Tokyo's Ghibli Museum is a whimsical space co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki and dedicated to the legendary film studio.
Photo Credit: @risa_babyq12
Photo Credit: @risa_babyq12
This dreamy museum is housed in a vibrantly-coloured multi-storied mansion, filled with winding staircases, tiny doors, rooms filled with exhibits, a rooftop garden, and even a cafe that serves up a variety of Studio Ghibli-inspired dishes and treats. The whole space exudes serious Studio Ghibli vibes, and is definitely a must-visit if you're a fan! The train journey from Tokyo Station takes only half an hour, making it a great day trip destination from the city.
- Address: 1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan
5. Totoro Forest, Saitama (トトロの森)
Photo Credit: @miwa.keito
The Totoro Forest is believed to be the location inspiration and model behind the forest where Satsuki and Mei met Totoro in the Studio Ghibli film. This hidden gem is located in the mountainous area of Saitama and is a popular hiking destination especially in summer and autumn. Situated only an hour away from Tokyo by train or bus, it's a perfect day trip destination for fans of Totoro travelling to Tokyo.
Photo Credit: @t_aaayyykkk
Wander through the forest by following its multiple winding trails that vary in length and difficulty - you'll likely come across old temples, shrines, and even beautiful lakes along the way. One of the must-visits in the forest is The House of Kurosuke, an old Showa-era house that is home to a giant Totoro statue surrounded by the film's black soot spirits, kurosuke!
- Address: 雑魚入-351 Kamiyamaguchi, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1153, Japan
6. Catbus, Fukagawa, Hokkaido
Photo Credit: @nikomatsubara
The Catbus (also known as neko no basu in Japanese) will probably provoke nostalgia within fans of My Neighbour Totoro. This grinning cat with caterpillar-like legs serves as a bus in the film - running, flying, and bouncing across forests, fields, and lakes, bringing its passengers to any destination of their desire.
Photo Credit: @world.traveler.yuki
Catch a glimpse of the real-life Catbus at Totoro Pass in Fukagawa, Hokkaido, overlooking vast rice fields and with scenic hills in its backdrop. The bus was originally used as a resting spot for local farmers before being repainted in 1998, eventually being transformed into the Catbus we're all familiar with. Though it's just a display and not in operation, we still think it's super adorable and looks great on photos!
- Address: Kunimi, Otoe-cho, Fukagawa-shi, Hokkaido
7. Kazusa-Ōkubo Station, Chiba
Photo Credit: @ree.s.mdragon
Photo Credit: @yuya_5dmark4
We'll never get enough of quaint stations like these! Located in the Chiba prefecture in Japan, the Kazusa Okubo Station was opened in 1928 and has been unattended since 1956. There is no staff nor station building here, with only a small rain shelter on the single-side platform. The little wooden train stop is covered with illustrations of adorable hand-painted Ghibli characters drawn by local elementary school students!
Photo Credit: @yuya_5dmark4
To get here, hop on a red-and-yellow Kominato Railway train and stop by to greet your friendly neighbour Totoro. We heard that the scenery along the tracks are breathtaking throughout the seasons - with beautiful sakura and yellow rapeseed blossoms in spring, as well as pretty ginkgo trees in autumn!
- Address: Okubo, Ichihara, Chiba 290-0532, Japan
8. Studio Ghibli Shop (Donguri No Mori), Yufuin
Photo Credit: @chanwon92 | www.chanwon.com
Yufuin, a popular hot spring town in Kyushu is a must-visit for fans of Studio Ghibli. The whole town oozes Ghibli charm, with a dreamy vibe that we really thought only exists in the films. While you're at Yufuin, be sure to pop by Donguri no Mori, a quaint shop that will delight all fans of Totoro and Studio Ghibli with its extensive selection of thematic knick-knacks and souvenirs.
Warning: you might wanna bring everything home the moment you step in! You can literally get everything from the most adorable Totoro magnets to cute plushies, handkerchiefs, keychains, tableware, and even playing cards here. Don't forget to snap a photo with the cute Totoro that guards the entrance of the shop!
- Address: 3019-1 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita 879-5102, Japan
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