Studio Ghibli-style attractions in Kichijoji

Visiting the filming locations of anime and movies in real life is a fun and exciting way to explore different neighborhoods because the artists really do put in details that match the real-life locations. Recognizing these details will make you feel as if you have stepped into the world of the animation.

Just 20 minutes from Studio Ghibli’s offices, the Kichijoji and Mitaka neighborhoods are filled with the tranquility and wonder of the animation studio’s work, making them the perfect place to delve into the world of real-life animation. With its artsy cafes, peaceful parks, and retro-style shopping districts, Kichijoji is often ranked as one of Tokyo’s most desirable places to live. Even if not everything is explicitly Ghibli-branded, you can still find plenty of interesting places that exude the same fairytale-like vibe as the movies.

Read on for our guide on how to explore Kichijoji on a Ghibli-style day trip through animated eyes.

Kichijoji Station

Start your day at Kichijoji Station. Although the first thing that comes to mind when you mention Studio Ghibli is often not Ghibli movies, umigakicoeru （Waves) takes place at this station on the Chuo and Sobu lines. Much of the film revolves around two good friends, Morisaki Taku and Matsuno Yutakaand Rikako Muto, a new student who transfers to their high school from Tokyo. The story is set in Kochi City and told in flashback.

But at Kichijoji Station, Taku and Rikako, who had not seen each other for many years, reunite by chance after their eyes meet on the train platform. It is then that Taku realizes that he has always loved her.

Ghibli Museum

From Kichijoji Station, take the park exit and walk through Inokashira Park, a scenic walk to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. Opened in 2001, the three-story Ghibli Museum is full of magic that both adults and children can enjoy.

Video recording and photography are not allowed inside the museum, and while this may be bad news for fans, this rule is in place to uphold Studio Ghibli’s philosophy of living in the present and enjoying the small but precious moments in life.

The museum has various exhibits that showcase the animation process and explain the illusions and science behind it. From dioramas to animated cels, visitors can see the massive amount of labor and artistry that goes into making a Ghibli film. While many other studios in the industry have chosen to use more computer-generated imagery to make films faster and more conveniently, Studio Ghibli remains largely traditional, with hand-drawn scenes and thousands of paper sketches. You’ll be able to flip through the big storyboards and see how the original concepts were translated to the big screen.

Your ticket includes a ticket to the Saturn Theater, where you can watch short films shown exclusively at the museum; since there are no DVDs or online copies, this is your only chance to see these films. Ten films ranging from 9 to 16 minutes in length are shown on a rotating basis each month. One of the films, Mei and the Kitten Busis a highly anticipated My neighbor Totoro.

Head to the Straw Hat Cafe for sandwiches, desserts, and drinks. The cafe even has its own original beer, inspired by Nausicaa of the Valley of the WindThe beer label was drawn by Hayao Miyazaki’s son Goro Miyazaki.

Tickets are no longer available at the door, although Totoro himself is waiting behind the ticket counter. To visit the museum, you will need to purchase your tickets in advance. Online ticket sales open at 10:00 am on the 10th of each month. Ticket sales are very competitive, so you will need to have your computer ready so you can get straight into the queue. For ticket prices and other information, visit website.

Inokashira Park

Continue your exploration of more than 95 acres of beautiful scenery at Inokashira Park. Ghibli’s use of nature is more than just a backdrop for the plot. The lushness of the natural world symbolizes endless possibilities, and its bold colors are the incomparable beauty of our common home, to be cherished and protected.

The park is over 100 years old and was a gift from the Emperor to the people. It features playgrounds, gardens, ponds and even a zoo – the Inokashira Park Zoo and Aquatic Life Park, which is home to more than 170 species of animals, with a special focus on animals native to Japan, such as the Japanese squirrel and the serow. The park’s more than 20,000 trees add color to the banks of the ponds as they change with the seasons, with delicate cherry blossoms in the spring and fiery red leaves in the fall. Rent a rowboat or swan boat and paddle across Inokashira Pond for a relaxing experience – although a swan boat is trickier to control than it looks.

Due to its proximity to the Ghibli Museum, you can often see street performers playing Studio Ghibli music. Many tourists buy drinks from the nearby cafes or vending machines and sit on benches to listen to their favorite pieces played on Joe Hisaishi’s violin.

Shirabe Puff Shop

Shirahige Cream Puff Shop is a cozy bakery owned and operated by Hayao Miyazaki’s sister-in-law, and the only officially licensed bakery in Japan to make Ghibli-style desserts. You can see original artwork created by Hayao Miyazaki hanging on the walls, and the bakery’s “factory manager” pig mascot Higejii adds an extra touch of whimsy to the place.

As the name suggests, Shirohige’s signature product is the Totoro puffs. These forest-spirit-shaped puffs are filled with a variety of flavors; you’ll find custard and whipped cream, as well as special seasonal flavors such as chocolate and matcha, chestnut, caramel banana, raspberry, and cream cheese, all available year-round. Each flavor is represented by a colorful mini hat and accessories on the Totoro’s head.

The bakery also has other treats on its menu, including a limited-edition Catbus raisin butter sandwich cookie. Depending on the season, there are also delicacies like Ponyo peach jelly. The store’s delicacies look like they came straight out of a movie, with intricate designs that are too cute to eat. You can also pick up a set of Totoro cookies, which come in a pretty box with illustrations of Totoro and Mei. (Forest Souvenirs) are small cookies in the shape of mushrooms and acorns. For special occasions, consider ordering a whole Totoro cake. Strawberry Shortcake is a classic Japanese sponge cake with cream, topped with Totoro cream puffs, and surrounded by juicy strawberries.

The Kichijoji bakery is takeout only; there is no seating area, but you can take your Totoro to eat outside or on a bench in Inokashira Park. Be aware that cream puffs sell out very quickly, so arrive early to ensure you get your Totoro. There is a second Whitebeard cream puff shop in Setagaya, but since it is larger and has a cafe for dine-in guests, it usually has more traffic, making the Kichijoji store a quieter option if you don’t mind taking your Totoro to go.

Corn Barley

For many fans, Ghibli cuisine is one of the best parts of the movies. Studio Ghibli manages to draw the most delicious dishes that make us salivate just imagining how they taste. Located a minute’s walk from Kichijoji Station’s North Exit, Corn Barley is a European-style bistro that offers a Studio Ghibli set menu (reservations are required in advance). The meal pays homage to various Ghibli animations by recreating some of the most iconic film dishes, including Calcifer’s bacon and eggs. Howl’s Moving Castle And from Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Not only is the presentation of each dish carefully designed to match the theme of each film, but each dish also comes with props such as plush toys and figurines to accompany your food shots. The restaurant’s warm retro atmosphere complements the Ghibli style. You can find various characters such as My Neighbor Totoro, Mr. Dough, and many more in the Ghibli Museum’s exclusive short films. Mr. Dough and Princess Egg and Kashira’s head Spirited Away They were scattered throughout the restaurant, sitting in chairs like guests at a dinner party.

Little Mura

Just a 15-minute walk from the Ghibli Museum, Petit Mura features a colorful, uniquely shaped building covered in vines that looks like a direct extension of the museum. This fairytale and cat-themed building houses several cafes, art galleries and shops.

The cat-shaped fountain and windows overlooking the Temari Castle Cat Cafe are reminiscent of The Cat ReturnsThe name of the cafe translates to “Temari’s Castle,” and the concept is that cats built this castle to play in. 22 kittens live here, and they have cute names like Milk, Inari, and Jajamaru. The cat theme runs throughout the cafe, with paw-shaped windows and fishbone lights. Unlike other cat cafes that usually charge by the hour or even half an hour, the entrance fee to Temari’s Castle is a fixed price, so you can freely enjoy the cats strolling around without having to worry about the time passing.

Tea House Happa’s bubble-shaped windows and many hanging plants make you feel like you’ve shrunk into a ArriettyThe café serves tea, alcoholic beverages, light meals and desserts in a cozy, rustic atmosphere reminiscent of a fairytale village. As a tea house, Happa specializes in 18 tea blends, from herbal teas to dried fruit teas.

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