For fans of My Neighbor Totoro, there’s something enchanting about seeing traces of the beloved forest creature in the real world.
While Ghibli Park is the obvious starting point, Totoro’s presence can be felt in many surprising places across Japan—from a beautiful forest in Saitama to a truly hidden gem such as an ancient sacred tree in Yamagata prefecture.
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the world of Studio Ghibli, here are the 5 must-visit Totoro-themed spots in Japan that bring the magic to life!
1. Ghibli Park (Aichi Prefecture)
Ghibli Park is a dream come true for any Studio Ghibli fan, truly bringing their enchanting world to life!
While Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse offers fun Totoro photo ops and a Catbus playroom for the little ones, the true Totoro magic awaits in “Dondoko Forest”, the area dedicated entirely to My Neighbour Totoro.
“Dondoko Forest” is beautiful and magical where you can explore a perfect replica of Satsuki and Mei’s House, and then you can venture into the woods to find “Dondoko-do”ーa giant Totoro statue that kids can even go inside to play in.
Plus, you can now ride a Cat Bus to and from Dondoko Forest and Mononoke Village! For more info on the Catbus, click here.
Things You Should Know before Visiting Ghibli Park
- Ghibli Park is inside Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Ai Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen, also known as Moricoro Park), near Nagoya.
- You can’t buy your ticket on the day, so make sure to purchase it in advance. (Ticket Options and Prices)
- Large bags or suitcases are not allowed as there’s no locker provided inside Ghibli Park.
How to Get to Ghibli Park from Tokyo by Train
- Tokyo Station >> 🚅 Tokaido Shinkansen (taking the fastest Nozomi train, this will be about 1.5 hours) >> Nagoya Station
- Nagoya Station (Change trains) >> 🚆 Higashiyama Line for Fujigaoka (28 mins) >> Fujigaoka Station (Last stop)
- Fujigaoka Station (Change to Linimo) >> 🚝 Linimo Line for Yakusa (13 mins) >> Ai Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station (Entrance is just outside Exit 2)
2. Totoro’s Forest + Kurosuke’s House (Saitama Prefecture)
Imagine walking through the very woods that inspired the setting of My Neighbour Totoro.
Totoro’s Forest (トトロの森) is located at the northern part of Sayama Hills in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, where you can hike through serene trails that feel straight out of the movie!
Also, there’s the Kurosuke’s House, an old, rustic Japanese house filled with Totoro memorabilia as well as a huge Totoro plushie inside.
In this quaint place, you can almost sense the soot spirits lurking just out of sight!
Things You Should Know before Visiting Totoro’s Forest
- Totoro’s Forest is free to enter except Kurosuke’s House (book in advance) and some eateries.
- Follow the Rules and Promises (Page 2) and check the Lake Sayamako & Totoro Forest Walking Route (Page 16) of the Tokorozawa Walking Guide in English, which comes quite handy.
- During the summer months, insect repellent is essential!
How to Get to Totoro’s Forest from Tokyo by Train
- Take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line’s Express train 🚈 from Ikebukuro to Nishi Tokorozawa (26 – 28 mins).
- Change trains at Nishi Tokorozawa. Get on the Seibu Sayama Line’s Local train 🚆 for Seibukyujo-Mae (Last stop, a 6-min ride).
- Walk 🚶 about 20 mins to Totoro’s Forest.
*At Nishi Tokorozawa, you can hop on the Tokoro Bus 🚌 and get off at Takabashi (a 13-min ride). Walk 🚶 about 10 mins to Totoro’s Forest. For more bus info, click here.
3. Ghibli Museum, Mitaka (Tokyo)
To immerse yourself in the magical world of Studio Ghibli, you have to visit the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka!
First, you’ll easily spot a life-sized Totoro welcoming you and signposting the way at his ticket booth before you step into the dreamy and imaginative world of Ghibli.
Inside the museum, you can explore and enjoy exclusive short films, interesting interactive exhibits, and an enchanting atmosphere that perfectly captures the wonder of Totoro’s world and beyond!
Kids will especially love the giant, fluffy Cat Bus to climb and play in.
Things You Should Know before Visiting Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
- Ghibli Museum, Mitaka is located in Inokashira Park, west Tokyo.
- Tickets must be purchased in advance.
- No photography or videography is allowed inside and your smartphone needs to be turned off.
How to Get to Ghibli Museum, Mitaka from Tokyo by Train
- Shinjuku Station >> 🚈 Chuo Line: Rapid Train bound for Takao, Mitaka, Ome, etc. (about 18 mins) >> Mitaka Station
- From Mitaka Station: a) Walk 🚶 about 15 mins from South Exit or b) Take the Mitaka City Bus (Odakyu Bus) 🚌 to the museum (a 5-min ride). It’s a loop bus, which runs every 15 mins between 9:30 and 18:30 on the day when the museum is open.
4. Kosugi no Osugi – Totoro Tree (Yamagata Prefecture)
In the rural village of Sakegawa, you’ll find the ancient Kosugi no Osugi, an enormous cedar that’s affectionately known as the Totoro Tree.
Having an amazing resemblance to Totoro, for anyone who loves My Neighbor Totoro, it feels just like discovering the film’s mystical camphor tree!
Cherished by locals as a spiritual “power spot” for happy marriages and matchmaking, this 20-meter tall Great Cedar of Kosugi is believed to be over a thousand years old.
Kosugi no Osugi is also revered and considered sacred due to the god of the mountain being enshrined there―you will see a hokora (small shrine) at the base of the tree.
So here, you can definitely get a spiritual experience as well as an excellent photo opportunity!
Things You Should Know before Visiting Kosugi no Osugi (Totoro Tree)
- A car park, toilet facility, and rest area including a vending machine are all close by.
- Free to view although common courtesy is required such as quiet behaviour and not entering privately owned fields, plus no touching or littering to preserve the environment.
- The road to the car park is closed from late November to late April.
- If driving, expect a narrow and winding road to the car park and watch out for oncoming vehicles.
How to Get to Kosugi no Osugi (Totoro Tree) from Tokyo
Kosugi no Osugi (小杉の大杉) is a hidden gem and it’s great for travelers exploring the Tohoku region!
However, if you would like to make it a day trip from Tokyo using public transport, try the following:
- Tokyo Station >> 07:12 🚄 Yamagata Shinkansen (Tsubasa No.123 for Shinjo, about 3.5 hours) >> 10:46 Shinjo Station
- Change Trains at Shinjo >> 11:18 🚆 Ou Line: Rapid Train for Yokobori (about 13 mins) >> 11:31 Uzen-Toyosato
- Walk 5 mins to Toyosato Eki Mae Bus Stop >> 12:30 🚌 Sakegawa Village Community Bus: Oashizawa-Toyosato Station Route for Oashizawa (22 mins) >> 12:52 Kosugi Bus Stop >> Walk about 8 mins (550 m) to Kosugi no Osugi (Totoro Tree)
On return, as no buses are available from Kosugi Bus Stop in the afternoon, you’ll need to:
- a) Walk about 37 mins to another bus stop, Kowada, and take the 14:26 Sakegawa Village Community Bus 🚌: Hanesawa-Shinjo Line via Rural Park for Kenritsu Byoin Mae to get back to Shinjo Eki Mae arriving at 14:59. For more bus details, click here.
- or b) Make a pre-taxi arrangement to be picked up at Kosugi Bus Stop to get back to Uzen-Toyosato Station, Mamurogawa Station or Shinjo Station.
- or c) Consider renting a car at Shinjo (a 30-min drive).
From Shinjo Station, you can take the Shinkansen Tsubasa departing at 17:12, 18:43 or 19:57 back to Tokyo.
5. Totoro Rock (Ishikawa Prefecture)
Totoro Rock is one of those delightful discoveries that fans of the film, My Neighbour Totoro, will cherish!
Located on the coast of the Noto Peninsula in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, this large rock formation, naturally sculpted by wind and waves, perfectly mimics Totoro’s profile.
While it’s a bit off the beaten path, the view of Totoro Rock against the Sea of Japan is breathtaking.
It’s a wonderful example of how the spirit of Totoro can be found in the most unexpected, natural places, proving that magic is all around us if we just look closely!
Things You Should Know before Visiting Totoro Rock
- Officially it’s called 剱地権現岩 (Tsurugiji Gongen Iwa) or 権現岩 (Gongen Iwa).
- Its eyes are decorated with man-made rough ropes.
- Free to view, but if you’re going by car, make sure to park your car in the car park provided and not on the road.
- During the earthquake in January 2024, sadly it lost its left ear, but it still stands proudly in a tranquil setting!
How to Get to Totoro Rock from Kanazawa
To visit Totoro Rock (トトロ岩) from Kanazawa, apart from going by car, the easiest option will be getting there by bus as follows:
- Kanazawa Eki Nishiguchi >> 07:15 Hokutetsu Noto Bus 🚍 Express Bus for Wajima (about 3 hours) >> 10:08 Wajima Eki Mae.
- Change buses at Wajima Eki Mae >> 11:35 🚌 Hokutetsu Noto Bus: Wajima Route for Monzen Sojiji Mae (37 mins) >> 12:12 Monzen Sojiji Mae.
- Transfer to Wajima City Community Bus (Walk 2 mins to Sojiji Mae Bus Stop) >> 13:15 Ainori Bus: Kyukawa Route for Kyukawa (21 mins) >> 13:36 Oodomari Bus Stop >> Walk about 3 mins to Totoro Rock.
Getting Back from Totoro Rock to Kanazawa by Bus
- Walk about 3 mins to Oodomari Bus Stop >> 14:14 🚌 Wajima City Community Bus: Ainori Bus Kyukawa Route for Monzen Chugakko (21 mins) >> 14:35 Sojiji Mae Bus Stop.
- Transfer to Hokutetsu Noto Bus (Walk 2 mins to Monzen Sojiji Mae Bus Stop) >> 15:30 🚌 Wajima Route for Wajima Byoin Mae (37 mins) >> 16:07 Wajima Eki Mae.
- Change Buses at Wajima Eki Mae >> 17:20 Hokutetsu Noto Bus 🚍 Express Bus for Kanazawa (about 3 hours) >> 20:13 Kanazawa Eki Nishiguchi.
Useful info:
- Currently, Wajima City Community Bus (Ainori Bus) does not stop at Zen no Sato Kouryu Kan Mae (禅の里交流館前) or Hashiride (走出).
- Getting to Kanazawa from Tokyo takes about 2.5 hours by the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a lifelong Studio Ghibli fan or simply enchanted by the magic of Totoro, these spots offer a rare chance to step into a real-life fairytale.
From iconic museums to quiet countryside surprises, Japan is full of Totoro magic—you just need to know where to look!
If you’re looking for more Ghibli related posts, check our post of Ghibli Park and Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse: A Comprehensive Guide.
For those who are interested in Japanese culture, check out our culture section.
Or you can head to our Instagram account for our posts of fantastic restaurants, festivals, and travel experiences.
Note: All the information and details are correct at the time of publishing. We would recommend checking each relevant website for the latest information.
