Outdoor Adventure

“Welcome to the World of Studio Ghibli”

alt="Traditional Japanese house with two girls from My Neighbor Totoro(となりのトトロの姉妹と古民家のシーン)"

Embark on a journey through the magical worlds of Studio Ghibli.
From gentle forests to bustling cities, every film is an adventure filled with wonder, heart, and unforgettable friends.

[1984] 🌱風の谷のナウシカ
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind🍃

alt="Giant robot from Laputa standing in the rain(雨の中に佇むラピュタのロボット兵)"

In a post-apocalyptic world, a brave princess named Nausicaä strives to bring peace between humanity and the toxic jungle, guided by her compassion for all living things.

💬 Famous Quote:
“The world is not just for humans.”
「世界は人間のものだけじゃない。」

[1986] 🏰 天空の城ラピュタ
Castle in the Sky 🏰

alt="Laputa: Castle in the Sky floating in the sky(空に浮かぶ天空の城ラピュタ)"

Sheeta, a young girl with a mysterious crystal, and Pazu, a brave boy, set off on an adventure to find the legendary floating island, Laputa. Together, they face air pirates, secret agents, and ancient robots, discovering friendship, courage, and the true meaning of peace.

💬 Famous Quote:
“The earth speaks to all of us, and if we listen, we can understand.”
「土に根をおろし、風とともに生きよう。」

[1988] 🌳 となりのトトロ
My Neighbor Totoro 🌳

alt="Totoro and Satsuki waiting at the bus stop in the rain(雨の中、バス停で待つトトロとサツキ)"

Satsuki and Mei, two sisters who move to the countryside, discover a world full of wonder after meeting Totoro, a gentle spirit of the forest. Together, they experience magical adventures and learn the importance of family, nature, and hope.

💬 Famous Quote:
“Trees and people used to be good friends.”
「昔は木と人は友だちだったんだよ。」

[1989] 🧹 魔女の宅急便
Kiki’s Delivery Service 🧹

alt="Kiki flying over the city with her broom from Kiki’s Delivery Service(魔女の宅急便のキキがホウキで街の上を飛ぶ)"

Kiki, a young witch-in-training, leaves home with her black cat Jiji to start her independent life in a seaside town. Through delivering goods on her broomstick, Kiki faces challenges, discovers her own strengths, and learns the true meaning of growing up and believing in herself.

💬 Famous Quote:
“We can’t always explain what happens to us.”
「なんでも思い通りにはいかないものよ。」

[1992] ✈️ 紅の豚
Porco Rosso ✈️

alt="Porco Rosso piloting a red airplane(紅の豚のポルコが赤い飛行機を操縦する)"

Porco Rosso, a former World War I flying ace turned into a pig, lives as a bounty hunter chasing air pirates over the Adriatic Sea. Through breathtaking aerial battles, encounters with friends and rivals, and the romance of the skies, he rediscovers pride, courage, and a longing for freedom.

💬 Famous Quote:
“I’d rather be a pig than a fascist.”
「飛ばねぇ豚はただの豚だ。」

[1995] 🎻 耳をすませば
Whisper of the Heart 🎻

alt="A scene from 'Whisper of the Heart' with Shizuku flying alongside the Baron, the cat figurine" alt="『耳をすませば』のワンシーン。猫の男爵と一緒に空を飛ぶ雫"

Shizuku, a book-loving junior high school girl, discovers that all the library books she borrows have already been checked out by a mysterious boy named Seiji. As their paths cross, Shizuku is inspired by Seiji’s dream and sets out to find her own passion, experiencing the bittersweet journey of first love and self-discovery.

💬 Famous Quote:
“It’s okay for you to be confused. That’s proof that you’re thinking hard about your life.”
「迷うのは、真剣に生きてる証拠だよ。」

[1997] 🌲 もののけ姫
Princess Mononoke 🌲

alt="San with blood on her face from Princess Mononoke(もののけ姫のサン、血のついた顔で振り向くシーン)"

Ashitaka, a young warrior cursed by a deadly spirit, journeys to the western lands and finds himself caught in a fierce battle between the forces of nature and human industry. There, he meets San, a girl raised by wolves, and struggles to find peace between humanity and the gods of the forest.

💬 Famous Quote:
“Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed. But still, you find reasons to keep living.”
「生きろ。そなたは美しい。」

[2001] 🐉 千と千尋の神隠し
Spirited Away 🐉

alt="No-Face and Chihiro riding the train in Spirited Away(千と千尋の神隠しで電車に乗るカオナシと千尋)"

Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl, wanders into a mysterious world ruled by spirits and gods after her parents are transformed into pigs. Forced to work in a magical bathhouse to survive, she overcomes challenges, finds friends, and discovers her own courage to save her family and return home.

💬 Famous Quote:
“Once you’ve met someone, you never really forget them. It just takes a while for your memories to return.”
「一度会ったことは、忘れないものさ。思い出せないだけで。」

[2004] 🏰 ハウルの動く城
Howl’s Moving Castle 🏰

alt="Howl and Sophie walking together from Howl's Moving Castle(ハウルの動く城のハウルとソフィー)"

Sophie, a shy young woman, is transformed into an old lady by a witch’s curse. She finds refuge in the magical moving castle of the wizard Howl, and together with a cast of enchanted characters, she embarks on an adventure through war-torn lands, discovering love, courage, and her own inner strength.

💬 Famous Quote:
“A heart’s a heavy burden.”
「心は重い荷物なんだよ。」

The Magic of Ghibli Food

alt="Collage of famous food scenes from Studio Ghibli films including fried eggs and bacon, ramen, and bento boxes" alt="ジブリ映画の有名な食事シーンのコラージュ(ベーコンエッグ、ラーメン、弁当など)"

Ghibli’s heartwarming food scenes are an essential part of the magic that brings these films to life. Whether it’s a simple breakfast, a shared lunchbox, or a hearty feast around the table, every dish in a Ghibli movie is filled with warmth, care, and a sense of togetherness. These unforgettable meals not only make us hungry, but also remind us of the everyday joys and connections that food can create. For many fans, Ghibli food is as iconic and memorable as the stories themselves.

Ghibli Pilgrimage: Real-Life Locations That Inspired the Films

alt="Totoro statue sitting in a traditional tatami room(和室に座るトトロの像)"

🌳My Neighbor Totoro
Totoro Forest (Tokorozawa, Saitama)

The lush forests of Sayama Hills in Tokorozawa inspired the setting of “My Neighbor Totoro.” Walking these peaceful woods, you’ll feel as if Totoro might appear at any moment.

alt="Lush green mossy forest in Yakushima(屋久島の苔むす緑の森)"

🌲 Princess Mononoke
Yakushima Island (Kagoshima)

Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage island, is famous for its mystical forests and ancient cedar trees. It served as the inspiration for the magical forest scenes in “Princess Mononoke.”

alt="Traditional Japanese town with red bridge(赤い橋のかかる伝統的な日本の町並み)"

♨️Spirited Away
Sekizenkan Ryokan (Shima Onsen)

Sekizenkan, a historic ryokan in Gunma’s Shima Onsen, is said to have inspired the bathhouse in “Spirited Away.” Its atmospheric architecture and hot spring setting feel straight out of the film.

alt="Stairs leading to a historic townscape in Japan(日本の歴史ある街並みに続く石段)"

🚉 Whisper of the Heart
Seiseki-Sakuragaoka (Tokyo)

Seiseki-Sakuragaoka in Tokyo’s Tama area is beloved by fans as the real-life setting for “Whisper of the Heart.” You can walk the same hilly roads and visit the iconic rotary featured in the film.

alt="Signboard for Ghibli Museum, Mitaka(三鷹の森ジブリ美術館の看板)"

🏛️Ghibli Museum, Mitaka (Tokyo)

The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka brings the world of Ghibli to life with exhibits, original short films, and whimsical displays. A must-visit destination for any Ghibli fan. (Advance reservations required.)

alt="Ghibli Park map illustration(ジブリパークのイラストマップ)"

🎡 Ghibli Park (Aichi)

Opened in 2022, Ghibli Park in Aichi is a theme park where you can step into the worlds of your favorite Ghibli films. With life-size sets and immersive areas, it’s a magical place for all ages.

More articles coming soon…