The castle in the sky, Chihiro's journey, Princess Mononoke... These animated films have marked the daily lives of thousands of people; their main characters evolve in worlds all more fantastic than each other. Did you know these places of legend were all inspired by real sites?Jakushima in Japan and the Princess of Mooke. This ecological ►
The castle in the sky, Chihiro's journey, Princess Mononoke... These animated films have marked the daily lives of thousands of people; their main characters evolve in worlds all more fantastic than each other. Did you know these places of legend were all inspired by real sites?Jakushima in Japan and the Princess of Mooke. This ecological feature film confronts the modern man and ancestral nature. To create the sets for his film, illustrator and director Miyazaki was strongly inspired by the Jakushima forest, now called Mononoke forest. It has an almost magical charm with the presence of sugi, Japanese cypresses several millennia old. This primary forest has everything in one account, with its thick mosses and large roots wound with each other, forming a kind of magic barricade. The chlorophyll essence diffuses a delicious fragrance on all the places that will rock you throughout your visit.To get there, you must go through the city of Kagoshima and borrow a ferry. Several treks are organized annually through the forest via various places on the island. Take height for a breathtaking view of the forest and the island by going to the top of Taiko-Iwa rock. Finally, to admire its magnificent beaches, walk along the east coast to the north.Jiufen in Taiwan and Chihiro's Journey. This city in northern Taiwan lies between the sea and the mountains. The colorful houses recall the atmosphere of the spirits of the mythical animated film. There are many steep and tangled streets. In February, you can experience the Pingxi Lantern Festival.To get there, you must go through Taipei City and take public transport to Jiufen. Immerse yourself in the culture of the film by stopping at one of the many street food stalls to enjoy a Gua bao (burger with pulled pork) or Boazi (a kind of steamed mini-buns). Among the places blatantly resembling the film's sets, find the gold museum, the old street, the goldens waterfalls, and the Keelung montane. Beyond its resemblance to the film, the village is known for its tea know-how. It has many garment houses like the well-known Mei tea House. Tokorozawa in Japan and My Neighbor Totoro. The village is located in the Saitama area, 1 hour from Tokyo, in the Japanese countryside. Beyond inspiring the film Gilbi, it is also the cradle of Japanese aviation. You will find a museum dedicated to it, including control tower simulation activities. The village is relatively close to the capital, so it is quickly accessible by train. On-site, take advantage of the Seibuten amusement park with twenty rides for visitors of all ages.You will visit the mythical Totoro forest, an ancient site filled with temples and shrines. At the heart of it is the house of Kurosuke, the film's main character. This old building contains the life-size statue of Totoro, accompanied by tiny balls of soot that do not leave him in the movie (the blockades). ◄