My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro : a magical movie
My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ, Tonari no Totoro) is an animated film created and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by the Studio Ghibli. It follows the adventures of two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei who move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother. In their new home, they meet a friendly and mystical forest spirit named Totoro, who leads them on a series of fantastic escapades. Through their interactions with Totoro and other magical creatures, the sisters learn about the healing power of nature and the importance of family.
“My Neighbor Totoro” is one of the most successful movie from the Studio Ghibli. Hayao Miyazaki has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with its enchanting portrayal of childhood wonder and the beauty of nature. On this page, we’ll take you on a journey to discover the locations that inspired this masterpiece, highlighting the deep connections between the beautiful landscapes of the film and their real-world places.
Real-life inspirations
Sayama hills
The movie “My Neighbor Totoro” has been influenced by different landscapes especially in Japan. Located in the prefecture of Saitama, Hayao Miyazaki found his inspiration in a forest now known as the “Totoro’ forest” from the popular Ghibli character.
This forest shaped some scenes from the movie and inspired the place where Mei met Totoro for the first time as well as the village in the countryside where they lived.
This place is now a nature reserve protected by the Foundation of the hometown of Totoro. Its purpose is to preserve the natural habitat and cultural elements of Sayama hills and its surroundings.
