Рецепт [TOKYO] Day 21: Ghibli Museum – Totoro Animation Fantasy Land
Dear Food Diary:
I fell in love with My Neighbor Totoro the first time I saw it back in the 90’s. It’s charm and cuteness overload have captured the hearts of millions, specially those in Asia.
I’m watching it as I’m typing right now, they have dubbed versions, but the original in Japanese is definitely the way to go.
With just one film, it has grown into a merchandising machine over the past 20+ years. Here in Japan, you can literally find Totoro everything, from chopsticks to bibs. Naturally Ghibli Museum, Mitaka aka Totoro “land” was on my must list for this trip.
About an 1.5 hr away from Akihabara Station, it took 2 trains, a bus and some confusion along the way. Thankfully, the locals wer there to help. From the moment I entered, it was like getting lost in a story book. An animated fantasy of Tororo land…
If Studio Ghibli doesn’t sound familiar, their films Spirited Away, Castle in the Sky, Ponyo and Grave of the Fireflies (another favorite of mine – be warned it’s really sad) may ring a bell?
It took quite a bit of planning since they don’t sell tickets at the door. Advanced tickets are only sold at the local Lawson convenient store, which seemed easy enough, until I got to the store and the most important parts were in Japanese! Thankfully the girl at Lawson happen to speak Chinese and helped me fill out my name (in Japanese) and her number (I don’t have one in Japan).
My ticket was more than 2 weeks in advance, so you might want to get them before coming.
The minute I entered and saw the giant Totoro I was smiling for ear to ear. This is my kind of “Happiest Place on Earth”.
Kawaii!!! Even the dust bunnies underneath! Love, love, love. I was a child again… *jumping up and down*
They limit the amount of visitors per day. And no photos inside the building. I guess for those cute Totoro effects, the different animations and artist studio, you’ll have go see for yourself.
The main entrance has Totoro stain glass windows. I was told no photos after I snapped these two. The funny thing is the colors are only seen from the inside, there’s no pigment on the outside.
The whole space is covered in green. Really dreamy and relaxing.
Everywhere I looked, it seem to come out of a story book. I though Instagram would capture the ambiance best…
Both the young and old had grins on their faces. Fascinated by little details around the garden as well as the cool animation rooms.
The giant robot on the roof. Lapuda from Castle in the Sky.
The dust bunnies/puffs from Totoro everywhere. Too cute!
The movie ticket was an animated film strip. As you walked through the different areas of the museum, you could watch it on a little projector. Quite neat.
Loved discovering every corner of the outdoor area.
Old school soda pops for a really hot day.
Lunch at the Straw Hat Cafe was about 1hr wait outdoors, in the summer heat.
Friendly and cool (thank God for AC, I was melting away), I finally had my table for one overlooking the little garden area.
The menu wasn’t unique per se, but they suggest fresh ingredients and farm to table. I ordered their version of my beloved Katsu Curry. Rice and grains with a sweeter more tomato tasting curry. Fried pork cutlet. Nothing out of this world, but it did the job and I was hungry. Plus, the plate was super adorable.
I was scrapping the plate so I could see the full design. I later found the plate set at the gift shop.
Straw hat latte made me smile at the end of the meal. It was hot outside but I just had to order it.
There’s a giant cat bus for kids to jump on, no fair! I would of loved to be on that giant plush, it occupied a whole room! Again, no photos allowed.
I’m not usually a sucker for souvenirs, but how could I resist…
Came home with a mug, two of the cutest towels, magnets (I collect magnets from everywhere I go).
And this cute keychain! Love the ramen bowl, Totoro and my favorite taiyaki.
Even the bus stop is cute.
On my way back after a fun day, I took their designated bus to the train station.
Ghibli Museum is highly recommended for Totoro and animation fans. A perfect day to spend away from the city, in a sweet fantasy land.
www.ghibli-museum.jp/en
To get tickets and for more information
Watch my Neighbor Totoro online
Saw this girl by the train station, thought she jumped out of the animated films… too cute right?