If you are a fan of the iconic animated film “My Neighbour Totoro“, then you won’t want to miss the chance to visit the real-life Totoro bus station in Takaharu Town, Miyazaki Prefecture.
This unique and charming tourist attraction was created by an elderly couple as a present for their grandchildren, and it has since become a popular destination for visitors from all over the world.
The Real-Life Totoro Bus Stop: A Must-Visit Destination for Studio Ghibli Fans
Getting to the Totoro bus station is relatively easy, as it is located in a field near Takaharu Town.
If you are traveling by car, there is a parking area nearby that the grandparents have set up for tourists.
Once you arrive, you will be greeted by the adorable Totoro statue, which was made entirely from scratch using traditional plastering techniques by the local plasterers.
The base of the statue was made with wooden frames and then filled with cement at the bottom to keep it standing upright even in strong winds.
The Totoro statue is particularly stunning during the warm season, as the grandparents have provided a bucket of water nearby with instructions to pour it over the statue to make it look more realistic.
The wet cement changes color when wet, making it look like Totoro is out in the rain just like in the movie.
While the Totoro bus station may be a small attraction, it is a unique and charming way to pay homage to one of the most beloved animated films of all time.
So, if you find yourself traveling through Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, don’t miss the opportunity to meet Totoro in person and experience the magic of this delightful tourist attraction.
Who wants to meet Totoro??
If you’ve ever watched Miyazaki’s “My Neighbour Totoro” you’re probably familiar with the simple yet iconic bus stop scene where Totoro appears next to the main character of the animated film as she waits for the bus in the rain. There are actually several real-life Totoro bus station across Asia, from the one in Saikai City, Nagasaki, to one in Taiwan’s Taichung area, but what makes this one unique is that it created by an elderly couple in the middle of a field in Takaharu Town, Miyazaki Prefecture as a present for their grandchildren.
The Totoro character was made from scratch using traditional plastering techniques by two elderly local plasterers. The base of the statue was made with wooden frames and then filled with cement at the bottom to keep it standing upright even in strong winds. The grandpa then added multiple layers of concrete.
For over a year, the Totoro statue has become a popular tourist destination. Dozens of people come to see the real-life Totoro bus station of Takaharu during the warm season, and the grandparents even set up a car parking area nearby to make it more accessible to tourists.
There is even a bucket of water available nearby, with instructions to pour it over the life-size Totoro statue to make it look more realistic as the wet cement changes color. So if you love My Neighbour Totoro and happen to travel through Miyazaki Prefecture, don’t miss seeing this Totoro statue in person. – @sakura.hill
How To Get There
To get to the real-life Totoro bus station in Takaharu Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, you can take a train or bus to the nearby city of Miyazaki and then rent a car to drive to the location.
The address of the bus station is 7538-6 Kamamuta, Takaharu, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki 889-4414, Japan.
However, since it is located in the middle of a field, it can be difficult to find. It is recommended to use GPS or a navigation app to guide you to the area.