Top 10 places that inspired Studio Ghibli
- Published on : 16/07/2025
- by : Ph.L
- Youtube
Dogo Onsen, the inspiration behind Chihiro's Journey (Ghibli)
©Jyo81 on Wikimedia CC BY 3.0
Who hasn't dreamed of staying in Chihiro's ryokan? Emblematic of the Japanese cinematic landscape, Studio Ghibli never looks far when it comes to imagining enchanting settings. Ready for a dreamlike journey through Japan? Japan Experience takes you on a journey in the footsteps of Studio Ghibli.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Several locations inspired Miyazaki to create this masterpiece. Among them, Sayama Hills, in Saitama, is renowned for its winding roads and agricultural crops. If you're lucky, you might even bump into Totoro, sitting on the front lawn of a house.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Address:
〒359-1153 Saitama, Tokorozawa, Kamiyamaguchi, 雑魚入351
How to get there:
15 minutes from Seibukyujo-Mae station (Seibu-Yamaguchi line)
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Perhaps one of Ghibli's most confidential films, Whisper of the Heart's settings are inspired by tumultuous Tokyo. To the west of the capital, Tama is a small suburban town where life is good. Famous for its parks and zoo, it was the Seiseki-Sakuragaoka station that caught the studio's eye.
Two minutes away, admire a reproduction of the antique dealer's house in the shape of a letterbox. Stroll along the Oguri River and climb Irohazaka Hill, featured many times in the film.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Address:
1 Chome Sekido, Tama, Tokyo 206-0011
How to get there
Keio line
Tama, the Ghibli mailbox
@pukupix on Shutterstock
Princess Mononoke (1997)
In the south of Japan, on the mystical island ofYakushima, you'll find the forests that served as inspiration for the sets of Princess Mononoke. Famous for its lush natural beauty, the island is a delight for hikers andhot-spring enthusiasts alike. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the forest is also home to several endemic species worth a chance encounter, such as loggerhead and green turtles. And who knows? Perhaps you'll come across the spirit of the forest on your walk?
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Address:
Yakushima, Kumage District, Kagoshima
How to get there:
By ferry from Kagoshima port (4h by local ferry, 2h30 by fast ferry)
By plane from Kagoshima (40 minutes)
©Guillaume SUDRE for Japan Expérience
Explore Yakushima with our guides!
Spirited Away (2001)
In Ehime prefecture rises the majestic ryokan of Dōgo Onsen. Prized for its year-round hot springs, it is particularly popular in autumn and winter, when the red leaves reflect off the surface of the water.
140 kilometers away, inŌita prefecture, the rails of Saganoseki will take you to Zeniba House. This old boathouse, with its tracks dying in the water, is privately owned. However, as the owner is often present, you can gain easy access by asking permission.
In Kumamoto, Nagabeta Road crosses the sea like a scene from an iconic film. Be sure to check behind you before setting off... The Faceless One may well be following you.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
DOGO ONSEN
Address:
5-6 Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0842
How to get there:
5-minute walk from Dogo Onsen station (Iyotetsu streetcar line)
The view that inspired Miyazaki to create Chihiro's Journey.
@Japan Experience
SAGANOSEKI
Address: 1003-1 Ohira, Oita 879-2114 Oita Prefecture
Access: 10-minute bus ride from Kozaki station (JR Nippou Main Line)
NAGABETA
Address: 3125-1 Sumiyoshimachi, Uto, Kumamoto 869-0401
Access: 20-minute walk from Sumiyoshi station (JR Kyushu Misumi line)
The Nagabeta road that inspired Ghibli
@TETSU Snowdrop on Shutterstock
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
While the sets for Howl's Moving Castle were mainly inspired by the town of Colmar (France), Tokyo paid a fitting tribute to Haru by installing a clock bearing the effigy of its castle. Designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself, the Ni-Tele Really Big Clock, located outside the second floor of Nippon TV in Shiodome, comes to life five times a day at set times. It features a three-minute show with automata inspired by the Ghibli universe. A real treat for fans!
Shiodome's Ghibli clock
@moof on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Address:
1-6-1 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How to get there:
2-minute walk from Shiodome station (Yurikamome, Oedo lines)
Performance times: noon, 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Le Chateau Ambulant (Ghibli)
@DrJohnBullas on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Ponyo (2008)
Tomonoura is a small port town off the coast ofHiroshima prefecture. Famous for its fishing boats and its so-called medicinal liqueur, Tomonoura has gone down in history for the bucolic scenery that inspired Ponyo. Take a stroll through the old town center before strolling along the harbor. The traditional houses here have an undeniable charm.
Tomonoura
©663highland on Wikimedia CC BY 2.5
Visit Nara with our guide
Want to discover the ancient capital of Japan? Take our guided tour of Nara.
©Joey Huang on Unsplash
When Marnie Was There (2014)
The Kushiro region of Hokkaido is said to have inspired the film's setting. Between mountains and sea, the region is known for its green expanses, dotted with lakes. If you're a wildlife enthusiast, the region' s cranes could be just what you're looking for!
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Nara is where we set down our suitcases. The former capital of Japan, Nara is a city rich in history. Prized for its wooden temples and deer, it inspired the sumptuous settings of The Tale of Princess Kaguya.
Watch Hokkaido cranes with our expert
Watch Hokkaido cranes with our local expert.
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