3 Timeless Appeal of Studio Ghibli’s Places in Real Life (2025)

It is widely known that Japanese animation studios, such as Ghibli, are renowned for creating popular animated films like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, The Grave of the Fireflies, and other animated works that continue to be discussed on various online platforms. One distinctive feature of Ghibli's films is the meticulous depiction of the background settings, showcasing Japan's urban landscapes, people's way of life, and traditional settings. This blog will delve into the architectural settings portrayed in three famous Ghibli animated movies.

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya: Nara Prefecture

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is one of the famous traditional tales in Japan. It was written intheHeian period, which lasted from 794–1185,in thelong-form prose narrative or Monogatari by an unknown author from a long time ago. It is a well-known story about a bamboo cutter who finds a palm-size girl inside a bamboo stalk who grows into a woman of extraordinary beauty. Suitors sought her hand, but she set them impossible tasks they could not fulfill. Secretly, she was a celestial being from the moon, sent to Earth as punishment, and her time on Earth was limited. When the moon's emissaries came to take her back, she left behind a letter and elixir for the emperor, who loved her deeply. Heartbroken, he burned the elixir on Mount Fuji, hoping his love would reach her in the heavens.

In 2023, Studio Ghibli released the animation adaptation of this legendary story with abeautiful technique. The story is considered the oldest surviving work of Monogatari, a type of fictional prose narrative. The true charm of the movie lies in its distinctive artistic style. Departing from Ghibli’s usual visuals, it embraces a palette of soft pastels and watercolors, creating a refreshingly unique aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from Sumi-e paintings, the film beautifully reinforces its folktale roots with stunning animations that feel like flowing inks and delicate brushstrokes.

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The film references traditional architecture from the Heian period in Japan. At that time, all the buildings were built with timber, raised floors, and open layouts to connect indoor spaces with surrounding gardens. The rooms inside are divided by sliding doors covered by paper (fusuma) and screens (byōbuw) to make all the space flexible. The roof is steeply pitched and covered with shingles or tiles. Kyoto and Nara are hubs of traditional Japanese architecture, home to numerous well-preserved temples and shrines. These historic sites are open to visitors, offering a glimpse into the rich heritage of ancient Japanese architecture and culture.

How to go

Ponyo (Tomonoura, Hiroshima Prefecture)

Ponyois a 2008 animated film by Studio Ghibli, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, that tells a heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and the delicate balance between humanity and nature. The film tells the story of Ponyo, a magical goldfish who dreams of becoming human, and her friendship with Sosuke, a kind-hearted five-year-old boy. The film explores themes such as the interconnectedness of humans and nature, the power of childhood innocence, and the duality of the sea as both nurturing and destructive.

The hand-drawn, watercolor-like animation visually brings a magical and dreamlike quality, especially in the vibrant underwater scenes, being presented as a signature of Studio Ghibli's that is dedicated to artistry. The enchanting score by Joe Hisaishi enhances the film's whimsical yet poignant atmosphere, makingPonyoa timeless masterpiece that celebrates the purity of human connection and respect for the natural world and sent Tomonoura, a small fisherman town, become a new tourist attraction in Japan.

Tomonoura is a quiet, small town located along the Seto Inland Sea in the southern part of Fukuyama prefecture. This old town has no skyscrapers and still has many traditional-style houses, shops, andold guesthouses from the Edo period. This is anold-fashioned fishing townscape where you can see the sea's and fishermen's authenticity.

The town is known for its stunning scenery, highlighted by a charming harbor filled with small boats and anchored by the iconic Joyato Lighthouse. Not far away lies the picturesque port city of Onomichi, which historically served as a vital hub for rice shipments and international trade. Today, Onomichi draws visitors as the gateway to the Shimanami Kaido, a renowned cycling route connecting the town to Shikoku Island.(NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR, 2017)

How to go:

Take 70 minutes by Shinkansen/bullet train from Shin-Osaka Station to Fukuyama. Then, it is accessed by a local bus from Fukuyama Station.

Spirited Away (Dogo Onsen, Ehime Prefecture)

If we talk about Studio Ghibli's film, no one hasn't heard about Spirited Away. It is a masterpiece of Studio Ghibli that blends fantasy, coming-of-age storytelling, and profound social commentary. The animation is about the story of Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl who becomes trapped in a mystical realm after her parents are turned into pigs for indulging in food. She works in a magical bathhouse run by the witch Yubaba to save them and return home. She explores and adventures around the magical bathhouse full of mysterious creatures, complicated rooms, and a hallway and discovers the story behind it.

Besides the unforgettable story and character creation, the architectural design of the bathhouse in this animation is stunning. It is a multi-storied building in traditional Japanese style, painted with vivid red color and covered by pitched shingles or tiles roof. To access the bathhouse, customers must cross only one wooden red bridge at the front of the building. The other part of the bathhouse is enclosed with a strong, tall wall with small bay openings that people from outside never look through. The inside of the bathhouse is decorated in a traditional Japanese style with crafted wooden elements, a paper slide door, lavish ornate ceilings, and paintings.

The exterior of the bathhouse is believed to be inspired by various onsen in Japan, with the most notable source of inspiration being Dōgo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture. The old imperial bathhouse, orYushinden,is still running a business and has transformed into a public bathhouse that visitors can access and open the imperial session for tour guides. The exterior of the building is all traditional wood style, dark brown, with white walls covered with layered pitched shingles roofs. The old-fashioned bath made of big stones on the first floor, which is the public area, is still kept, while the second floor is a more private section. Lastly, the third floor serves customers who want to rest and eat.

(Alfie-Blincowe, 2018)

How to go

Reference

Alfie-Blincowe. (2018, November 27). Dogo Onsen: The bathhouse from “Spirited Away.”Japamigo. https://www.japamigo.com/1976/