From floating castles to soot sprites and giant forest spirits, Studio Ghibli has given us some of the most magical worlds in cinema.
But what if you could step into one of them IRL?
While Ghibli's films often feel dreamlike, many are rooted in real locations across Asia and Europe.
Towns, islands, even bathhouses - all with that slightly surreal, otherworldly feel Ghibli does so well.
Places That Inspired Studio Ghibli Films
As the legendary Japanese animation film studio celebrates it's 40th year in business, I've put together this list of places that inspired Studio Ghibli films.
If you love travel, adventure and the feelgood factor of sitting down with a Ghibli film, you might like to combine your passions to make a pilgrimage of your own.
Jiufen, Taiwan - Spirited Away
Adobe Free Stock / kanzilyou
If there's one real-life spot that screams Spirited Away, it's Jiufen.
A misty, lantern-lit town perched in the hills of northeast Taiwan.
Its narrow alleys, red lanterns and teahouses are near-identical to the bathhouse scenes in the film.
And that's no coincidence. Director Hayao Miyazaki visited Jiufen in the late '90s. And fans have speculated ever since that it directly inspired the film’s setting.
- How to visit: Just an hour from Taipei by train and bus.
- Ghibli vibes: Endless staircases, steaming food stalls, masked tourists.
eSIM tip: Download a Taiwan eSIM before you land so you can navigate those hilly alleys and book a bubble tea on the go.
Yakushima Island, Japan - Princess Mononoke
Adobe Free Stock / Akatsuking
Thick with moss, mist and 1,000-year-old cedars, Yakushima is a forested island in southern Japan.
And it's and the inspiration behind the mystical forests of Princess Mononoke.
It's where nature really does feel alive and possibly a little annoyed with humans.
The ancient Jōmon Sugi tree is said to be over 7,000 years old.
- How to visit: Take a ferry from Kagoshima or fly in from Osaka or Tokyo.
- Ghibli vibes: Forest gods, spiritual energy, very big trees.
Tomonoura, Japan - Ponyo
Image by Indigophotos from Pixabay
Before Ponyo swam into our hearts, Miyazaki spent time sketching in Tomonoura, a sleepy fishing village in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Its curved harbour, traditional boats and laid-back pace all seeped into the film’s setting.
The perfect backdrop for magical goldfish chaos.
- How to visit: Accessible by train and bus from Fukuyama or Hiroshima.
- Ghibli vibes: Ocean breeze, cute fishing boats, tiny lanes.
Colmar, France - Howl's Moving Castle
Adobe Free Stock / Overburn
The whimsical, flower-decked town of Colmar in Alsace, France, looks like it was drawn by Ghibli animators.
And it might as well have been.
While Howl’s Moving Castle mixes fantasy and steampunk, its charming towns were inspired by central European villages.
And Colmar's pastel façades and canals fit the bill perfectly.
- How to visit: Take a train from Strasbourg. Then eat all the tarte flambée.
- Ghibli vibes: Cobblestone streets, turrets, potential fire demons in fireplaces.
Dōgo Onsen, Japan - Spirited Away
Adobe Free Stock / area1964
If Jiufen was the visual inspo for Spirited Away, Dōgo Onsen was the spiritual one.
This historic bathhouse in Matsuyama, Japan is one of the oldest in the country.
And its layered wooden façade clearly echoes the towering bathhouse in the film.
- How to visit: Matsuyama is a flight or train ride from Osaka and Tokyo.
- Ghibli vibes: Paper doors, old spirits, suspiciously polite bath staff.
Gotland, Sweden - Kiki's Delivery Service
Adobe Free Stock / Tamme Wichmann
Wait, Ghibli went Nordic? Yes indeed.
While Kiki’s Delivery Service is technically set in a fictional coastal city, Miyazaki visited Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea, for location research.
The medieval town of Visby, with its romantic spires, towers and rooftops, helped inspire Kiki's broom-flying scenes and cute bakery storefronts.
- How to visit: Ferries and flights go from mainland Sweden.
- Ghibli vibes: Red roofs, cosy bakeries and a sense of flying freedom.
Bonus Ghibli Locations to Add to Your Wish List
Adobe Free Stock / Pond Thananat
- Gifu, Japan - The rural houses in My Neighbour Totoro are inspired by countryside villages like those in Gifu Prefecture.
- Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum - Miyazaki sketched many Spirited Away interiors from buildings preserved here.
- The Ghibli Museum, Tokyo - Not a filming location, but an absolutely essential stop-off on any Ghibli pilgrimage. Just ensure you book well in advance, as tickets are only released once a month.
Stay Connected on Your Ghibli Pilgrimage
Getting lost in a Ghibli-esque alley is fun. Losing Google Maps when you're in a misty Japanese forest? Less so.
Why Use an eSIM for Ghibli Travel?
- Instant data the moment you land.
- No need to queue or find a SIM card shop.
- Can buy data packages across multiple countries - handy if you're doing a Miyazaki grand tour.
Best eSIM for Taiwan and Japan
- Get a Taiwan eSIM for Jiufen, Taipei and beyond.
- Get a Japan eSIM for Yakushima, Dōgo Onsen and the Ghibli Museum.
- Use a regional eSIM to cover France, Sweden and beyond.
FAQs
1. Is Jiufen the Real Spirited Away Location?
It strongly resembles the bathhouse setting and inspired the film’s look and feel, but isn’t an official filming location.
2. Where are Real-Life Studio Ghibli Locations?
Across Asia and Europe - including Jiufen (Taiwan), Yakushima (Japan), Colmar (France) and Gotland (Sweden).
3. Can I Visit the Spirited Away Bathhouse?
Yes! Dōgo Onsen in Japan inspired the bathhouse and is still open to visitors.
4. What’s the Best eSIM for Taiwan?
Look for a travel eSIM with strong local coverage and instant activation, like a Taiwan eSIM from Airalo.
5. Do Ghibli Locations Require Booking in Advance?
Some, like the Ghibli Museum, need pre-booking. Others, like Jiufen and Dōgo Onsen, are open to the public year-round.
