Places that inspired Ghibli's animation movies

Are you a fan of Ghibli’s animated movies? Well, I hope you are because I’m about to show you some places that have inspired some movies from this famous Entertainment company!

Enjoy 🤩

🏯 Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) – Edo-Style Bathhouses & Mysterious Towns

(image from Wikipedia)

📌 Dogo Onsen (道後温泉, Ehime Prefecture)

One of Japan’s oldest hot springs, Dogo Onsen is said to have inspired the famous Aburaya (油屋) bathhouse where Chihiro works. The building’s wooden structure and lantern-lit atmosphere resemble the bathhouse in the movie.

(image from wikipedia)

📌 Jiufen (九份, Taiwan)

The narrow streets and glowing lanterns of Jiufen, a historic town in Taiwan, have long been rumored to have influenced the mysterious town where Chihiro’s adventure begins.

🌳 My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ) – The Countryside of Saitama

(image from hikingtokyo.com)

📌 Sayama Hills (狭山丘陵, Saitama Prefecture)

Often called “Totoro’s Forest”, these lush green hills and rice fields are believed to be the real-life setting that inspired Satsuki and Mei’s countryside home. There’s even a Totoro Forest Foundation dedicated to preserving the area.

(image from kominka.net)

📌 Kurosuke’s House (くろすけの家, Saitama)

This traditional kominka (古民家, old Japanese house) looks just like the one from the movie! You can visit and see Totoro-themed exhibits.

🎠 Howl’s Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) – European Fairytale Towns

📌 Colmar, France & Hallstatt, Austria

The movie’s quaint European streets and stone houses closely resemble Colmar, France, and the fairytale-like Hallstatt, Austria. The cobblestone roads and medieval charm are pure magic!

📌 Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Howl’s floating castle shares similarities with this famous Bavarian castle, known for its dreamy and intricate design.

🌊 Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) – The Seaside Town of Tomonoura

📌 Tomonoura (鞆の浦, Hiroshima Prefecture)

This small fishing town with its curved coastline and traditional houses served as the perfect inspiration for Ponyo’s seaside home. The quaint port town feel and ocean views make it easy to see why Ghibli loved it!

🚂 The Wind Rises (風立ちぬ) – Taisho & Showa-Era Japan

(Nagoya’s station in Taisho era - via Wikipedia)

📌  Nagoya & Karuizawa

The setting reflects 1920s–30s Japan, especially places like Nagoya, where the real-life engineer Jiro Horikoshi (the movie’s protagonist) lived. The movie’s mountain retreat is based on Karuizawa, a scenic highland town.

🌲 Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) – Yakushima’s Ancient Forests

(image via Wikipedia)

📌 Yakushima Island (屋久島, Kagoshima Prefecture)

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its moss-covered forests, giant cedar trees (屋久杉, yakusugi), and mystical atmosphere—perfect for the magical forests in Princess Mononoke. If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into the movie, Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine (白谷雲水峡) is a must-visit!

🚲 Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば) – Seiseki-Sakuragaoka, Tokyo

(View of Tama River and Seiseki Sakuragaoka via Wikipedia)

📌 Seiseki-Sakuragaoka (聖蹟桜ヶ丘, Tokyo)

The charming town where Shizuku and Seiji live is based on this real neighborhood in Tama City, Tokyo. You can visit the hill where Shizuku rides her bike and even see the real-life “Cat Bureau” shop!

🏰 Laputa: Castle in the Sky (天空の城ラピュタ) – Floating Islands & Old Mines

(image via Wikipedia)

📌 Takeda Castle Ruins (竹田城跡, Hyogo Prefecture)

Often called “Japan’s Machu Picchu,” this hilltop castle ruin looks just like the floating city of Laputa when covered in morning mist.

(image via Wikipedia)

📌 Tomogashima Islands (友ヶ島, Wakayama Prefecture)

Abandoned brick fortresses and lush greenery make this island look just like Laputa’s lost kingdom.

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫