5 Places In Japan That Feel Straight Out Of An Anime. Credit: ghiblicollection.com
Studio Ghibli’s films have a way of pulling you into worlds that feel strangely familiar, probably because they’re inspired by real places! If you’ve ever wanted to walk through an enchanted forest like Princess Mononoke, bathe in a Spirited Away-style onsen, or gaze out at Ponyo’s ocean, Japan’s got you covered.
Here are 5 dreamy destinations that feel straight out of a Ghibli storyboard
Kushiro, Hokkaido. Credit: Canva
Kushiro, Hokkaido: When Marnie Was There
In this hauntingly beautiful film, Anna meets the mysterious Marnie in a quiet, mist-wrapped seaside town. That town? It’s inspired by Kushiro in eastern Hokkaido, home to the ethereal Kushiro Marsh, Japan’s largest wetland. You can wander through the reed-lined trails and you might just catch a glimpse of the Tancho, the red-crowned crane. Don’t miss the Akan Lake Ainu Theater Ikor, where traditional Ainu music, dance, and crafts bring Indigenous stories to life.
Tama, Tokyo. Credit: Canva
Tama, Tokyo: Whisper Of The Heart
Shizuku’s dreamy hilltop chase after a fat, mysterious cat leads her through the charming slopes of Tama City, Tokyo’s quiet western side. It’s here she stumbles into a whimsical antique shop, and into inspiration. Fans can trace Shizuku’s path from Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station using a film location map (yes, they exist!). For a nature fix, Okutama is just a bit further west.
Sayama Hills, Saitama. Credit: Canva
Sayama Hills, Saitama: My Neighbor Totoro
This iconic Ghibli film draws heavily from Sayama Hills in Tokorozawa, where the real-life “Totoro’s Forest” quietly thrives just outside Tokyo. You can take a forest walk, breathe in that earthy air and while you’re in Saitama, don’t skip Sayama’s tea fields, where you can pick your own leaves like a local.
Nara Prefecture. Credit: Canva
Nara Prefecture: The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya
This poetic film retells an iconic Japanese folktale about a girl from the moon, and its roots lie deep in Nara, Japan’s spiritual heartland. Here, ancient bamboo groves sway beside World Heritage shrines and wild deer roam freely in Nara Park. If you visit during cherry blossom season, head to Mount Yoshino, where over 30,000 sakura trees bloom like something out of a painter’s daydream.
Tomonoura, Hiroshima. Credit: Canva
Tomonoura, Hiroshima: Ponyo
That seaside town where a fish-girl crashes into a boy’s life? It’s the real-life Tomonoura, a sleepy fishing village with panoramic sea views and harbours full of charm. Hayao Miyazaki spent two months here sketching before Ponyo took form. Climb up to the Joyato Lighthouse, snap a pic with the Seto Inland Sea behind you. You can also visit Onomichi, which is a haven for cyclists and dreamers alike, especially with the Shimanami Kaido offering ocean-crossing bike routes.
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