Benelic are releasing four new mug planters at Donguri Kyowakoku and online at Sora no Ue, both official Studio Ghibli merchandise shops in Japan, this month.

The porcelain planters include designs for My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and Spirited Away, each capturing the wonderful world of the beloved animated movies. They make for the perfect plant pots for around your home.

The designs up close

My Neighbor Totoro | ¥3,960 (Tax Included)

Kiki’s Delivery Service | ¥3,960 (Tax Included)

Laputa: Castle in the Sky | ¥3,960 (Tax Included)

Spirited Away | ¥3,960 (Tax Included)

Japanese company Maruhisa has released a new collection of Mother’s Day gift items which will make for perfect relaxation presents to well-deserving mothers, whether you live with them or have been unable to meet with them for a long time.

A collection of four items from Kyoto

The set includes three sweet treats from Kyoto as well as a premium face mask made by a Fushimi-based brewery.

The Set at a Glance

Strawberry Flower Chocolate Cookies (Contains 6)

These chocolate cookies are a staple Kyoto souvenir. They’re made by buckwheat producer Marutamachi Kawamichiya and are shaped to look like cute flowers.

Matcha Strawberry Chocolate (3 Bags)

These matcha strawberry chocolates are made using authentic matcha from a tea shop in Kyoto. They’re stuffed with whole freeze-dried strawberries which add a fruity tang.

Chocolate Senbei Rice Cracker Bouquets (Contains 5)

A tasty delight made by Sekiseika, a maker of Japanese senbei rice crackers that has been around since 1922. This perfect bouquet is made with chocolate cream and topped with crushed almonds.

Fushimi Bijin Premium Face Mask (Contains 1)

This face mask contains a range of plant-based ingredients such as junmaishu sake made without added alcohol or sugar and coconut water. The junmaishu is provided by Tsukinokatsura, one of the oldest Japanese breweries that was first established in 1675.

Have you bought your Mother’s Day gift yet?

Japanese company Familiar will release a new collection of bags based on the classic Studio Ghibli animated feature film My Neighbor Totoro on March 16 via their online shop. The bags will be released by Studio Ghibli no Ano Fuku (“Those Studio Ghibli Clothes”), a fashion brand created by Ano Fuku and Studio Ghibli.

The two bags feature the iconic movie scene of Mei, Satsuki, Totoro, and the little Totoros sat upon a tree branch.

Denim Bag – ¥19,800 / Sub Bag ¥16,500 (Tax Included)

This is the third and final bag collection to be released in this bag series. The first collection was inspired by the bus stop scene from My Neighbor Totoro as well as Ponyo running along the water in Ponyo. The second collection was the classic scene of Kiki flying over the town with Jiji on her broomstick from Kiki’s Delivery Service. Restocks of these two collections are now available too.

1st Collection

Ponyo Denim Bag ¥19,800 / Ponyo Sub Bag ¥16,500 / Totoro Bus Stop Denim Bag ¥19,800 / Totoro Bus Stop Sub Bag ¥16,500 (Tax Included)

2nd Collection

Kiki’s Delivery Service Denim Bag ¥19,800 / Kiki’s Delivery Service Sub Bag ¥16,500 (Tax Included)

Japanese apparel company Familiar has is releasing a series of limited-edition items in collaboration with Studio Ghibli Anofuku, a fashion brand created by Anofuku and Studio Ghibli in 2018.

Kiki’s Delivery Service Sub Bag ¥16,500 | Kiki’s Delivery Service Denim Bag ¥19,800 (Prices Include Tax)

The second entries to the series are two bags based on the beloved Studio Ghibli anime film classic Kiki’s Delivery Service. The bag designs feature Kiki on her broom with Jiji as they fly over the seaside town of Koriko where the movie is set. It’s a direct reference to the same scene in the film itself.

The 1st entries were Ponyo and Totoro denim bags

Ponyo Denim Bag ¥19,800 | Ponyo Sub Bag ¥16,500 | My Neighbor Totoro Bus Stop Denim Bag ¥19,800 | My Neighbor Totoro Bus Stop Denim Sub Bag ¥16,500 (Prices Include Tax)

The first entries to the line-up were a collection of denim bags based on two other Studio Ghibli fan favourites: My Neighbor Totoro and Ponyo. The Ponyo bag is still available at the time this article was written, but the Totoro one is unfortunately sold out.

Information on a third collection is scheduled for release in March, so stay tuned.

If you’re a collector of all things Studio Ghibli, then Donguri Closet has the latest must-grab item for fans of the animated film studio. Donguri Closet is a brand of the official Studio Ghibli merchandise shop Donguri Kyowakoku which is managed by Benelic. It offers a variety of merchandise, ornaments, cosmetics, and more all based around Studio Ghibli.

The brand has revealed two cute new hanging wreaths featuring the beloved Jiji from Studio Ghibli’s hit animated feature film Kiki’s Delivery Service. The wreaths were released exclusively at the Lazona Kawasaki Plaza branch of Donguri Closet at the end of January.

The wreaths are arranged with dried flowers and come with different scented floral sprays.

Pop Wreath Yellow – BERRY | ¥3,500 (Before Tax)

A vivid springtime yellow wreath coupled with a sweet berry fragrance spray.

Pop Wreath Yellow – GREEN | ¥3,500 (Before Tax)

A forest of green flowers coupled with a fresh scented floral spray.

Donguri Closet is releasing two new fragrance candles this month inspired by the hit Studio Ghibli animated feature films Kiki’s Delivery Service and Whisper of the Heart.

Donguri Closet is a store brand in Japan which is a branch of the official Studio Ghibli merchandise shop Donguri Kyowakoku managed by Benelic.

The Donguri Closet brand focuses on the heroines of Studio Ghibli’s moviesーfemale characters who are by nature gentle but all of whom are strong women. The brand’s concept centres on being a place where people can be themselves through the merch.

Kiki’s Delivery Service Fragrance Candle – A Fulfilling Day (Citrus) | ¥2,700 (Before Tax)

The Kiki’s Delivery Service candle bears the words written by Kiki to her mother and father in a letter, in English:

Everything at work seems to be falling into place nicely. I’m even starting to gain some confidence. There are still times when I feel sad… but all in all, I sure love this town.

The candle is a relaxing citrus fragrance to fill you with positivity.

Whisper of the Heart Fragrance Candle – Close Love (Berries) | ¥2,700 (Before Tax)

The Whisper of the Heart candle features the words written by the Baron, who appears in the protagonist Shizuku Tsukishima’s dreams, in English:

Louise and I were happy… because he had made us so we could love each other.

The candle smells of sweet berries to relax you during those times you can’t settle.

Once you’ve used up the candle, you can reuse the beautiful glass it comes in which has plants inside it.

Tokuma Shoten Publishing released a new picture book entitled Studio Ghibli no Ironna Kurashi in Japan on October 9, 2020 which is centred on the everyday lives of the protagonists from 13 of Studio Ghibli’s animated feature films.

The book looks at where the characters of these films reside and what kinds of lives they live, whether it be in the Toxic Jungle of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, or Sophie taking up the role of the cleaning lady in Howl’s Moving Castle, or Sosuke and Lisa who live upon the cliff in Ponyo.

Life in the castle in Howl’s Moving Castle　©2004 Studio Ghibli・NDDMT

Who’s who in the family? What kind of house do they live in? What job do they work? These are the questions that the book will answer as it delves deep into the livelihoods of the globally-beloved characters conceived by the incredible minds of Studio Ghibli.

The town of Koriko in Kiki’s Delivery Service　©1989 Eiko Kadono・Studio Ghibli・N

Arrietty’s house in The Secret World of Arrietty　©2010 Studio Ghibli・NDHDMTW

Noboru Yoshida (Art Supervisor for The Secret World of Arrietty)

The house that Satsuki and Mei move to in My Neighbor Totoro, the dwelling of Totoro, the wartime life of Seita and Setsuko living in Kobe in Grave of the Fireflies, the town where Kiki begins her life living alone at the age of 13, and so on.

The book is a must-have in the collection of any fans of Studio Ghibli, and is sure to make you want to step into those magical worlds once again.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has announced that its inaugural temporary exhibition will be a retrospective honouring the internationally beloved and celebrated Academy Award-winning filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. It will open on April 30, 2021.

Photo by Joshua White　JWPictures/©Academy Museum Foundation

It will take place inside the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery and will hail as the first North American museum retrospective dedicated to the work of Miyazaki. Works will be curated by the museum’s Exhibition Curator Jessica Niebel and Assistant curator J. Raúl Guzmán.

lmageboard, ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988), Hayao Miyazaki © 1988 Studio Ghibli

Still Image, ‘Spirited Away’ (2001), Hayao Miyazaki © 2001 Studio Ghibli・NDDTM

The lineup will showcase over 300 objects include original imageboards, character designs, storyboards, layouts, backgrounds, posters, and cels, all from the archives of Studio Ghibli. Fans of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki’s works can look forward to seeing their favourite films celebrated such as My Neighbor Totoro (1988) and the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away (2001).

Hayao Miyazaki Exhibition – What to Expect

Tree Tunnel

Still Image, ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988), Hayao Miyazaki © 1988 Studio Ghibli

Journey through the iconic “Tree Tunnel” conceived by Hayao Miyazaki for the film My Neighbor Totoro just like 4-year-old Mei does when chasing the mini Totoro.

Creating Characters

Still Image, ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989), Hayao Miyazaki © 1989 Eiko Kadono・Studio Ghibli・N

Creating Characters will introduce Hayao Miyazaki’s many protagonists from such celebrated works as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and more. This will include original character design illustrations as well as pieces never before exhibited outside of Japan.

Making Of

Imageboard, ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ (1984), Hayao Miyazaki © 1984 Studio Ghibli・H

The Making Of section will illustrate Miyazaki’s early career and the founding of Studio Ghibli together with the deceased Isao Takahata, as well as the process of producing an animated feature film such as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984). Early works showcased will include, but are not limited to, the television anime series Heidi, Girl of the Alps (1974) which Isao Takahata was also involved in as an animator, and The Castle of Cagliostro (1979).

Creating Worlds

Background Image, ‘Spirited Away’ (2001), Hayao Miyazaki © 2001 Studio Ghibli・NDDTM

Creating Worlds will capture the contrast between beautiful, natural environments and industrial settings, a theme that Miyazaki often explores in his movies. This will include a look at original storyboards from Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986), as well as concept sketches and background images that offer a peek into the imagination of Miyazaki. It will also look at the famous bath house of Spirited Away, the underwater world of Ponyo (2008), and themes of ‘flying’ as seen in Porco Rosso (1992) and The Wind Rises (2013).

Sky View Installation

A must-see at the exhibition is the Sky View installation which captures one of Miyazaki’s other themes: the desire to lay back and relax, have a day off, think, and dream.

Transformations

Transformations will explore the metamorphoses Miyazaki’s characters and settings often experience, such as the influences that human beings have on the natural world like in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Magical Forest

Magical Forest, with its Mother Tree installation, will highlight the interconnected aspects of humans, nature, and the spiritual worlds, such as the Kodama forest spirits seen in Princess Mononoke.

Photo of Hayao Miyazaki by Nicolas Guerin

Toshio Suziki, Studio Ghibli Producer & Co-Founder | Comment

“It is an immense honor that Hayao Miyazaki is the inaugural temporary exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Miyazaki’s genius is his power of remembering what he sees. He opens drawers in his head to pull out these visual memories to create characters, landscapes and structures that are busting with originality. It is our hope that visitors will be able to experience the entire scope of Hayao Miyazaki’s creative process through this exhibition. I am deeply grateful to all those who have been instrumental in presenting this exhibition.”

Bill Kramer, Academy Director | Comment

“We could not be more excited to launch our new institution with the most comprehensive presentation of Hayao’s Miyazaki’s work to date. Honoring the masterful career of this international artist is a fitting way to open our doors, signifying the global scope of the Academy Museum.”

Jessica Niebel, Academy Museum Exhibitions Curator | Comment

“Hayao Miyazaki has a singular ability to capture how we perceive life, with all its ambiguities and complexities. It has been a privilege to collaborate with Studio Ghibli in creating an exhibition that will appeal to the most avid Miyazaki fan and those not yet familiar with his work.”

My Neighbor Totoro is one of Studio Ghibi’s most celebrated animated feature films, adored by people around the world. If you’ve visited Japan, you’re bound to have run into something Totoro-related, but did you know there’s actually several locations in Kyushu which takes it to the next level, bringing the world of the film to life?

Today, we are joined by Rie who posts her Kyushu travels on her Instagram page. She has provided us with photos of these amazing spots, which are must-visits for Totoro fans, along with her thoughts.

Tataragi Bus Stop | Hita, Oita Prefecture

When you roll up to Tataragi Bus Stop (多々良木バス停) in Oita’s city of Hita, you are welcomed by a giant piece of wall art made into the moss that grows on the wall. This bus stop is actually a stop used exclusively by school buses, so ordinary people can’t actually catch a bus here. And unfortunately, you won’t see any cat buses running down the street if you wait long enough in the rain, but it’s still a must-visit for fans.

Address: Amagasemachi Gota, Hita, Oita, Japan (In Japanese: 大分県日田市天瀬町合田)

Totoro’s Forest | Saiki, Oita Prefecture

This area is visited by many tourists and sightseers throughout the year because of how similar it looks to something from My Neighbor Totoro. There is a small park near the bus stop which is known as Totoro no Mori (Totoro’s Forest).

Being surrounded by nature, enveloped by the green trees and foliage, makes you feel like Mei and Satsuki from the movie. It’s like being transported back to my childhood. It’s a strange place that makes you feel nostalgic even if it’s your first time visiting.

Address: 1368 Ume Oaza Minamitabaru, Saiki-shi, Oita Prefecture (In Japanese: 大分県佐伯市宇目大字南田原轟1368)

Takahara, Miyazaki Prefecture

The next spot I want to show you is where an ordinary person made their very own Totoro statue. If you hold up an umbrella in the rain you can take a photo that recreates that one scene from te movie. There is a sign nearby the statue with a caution written on it as the Totoro is actually inside a family garden. When visiting to take a photo, please make sure to follow the caution and not cause any trouble for people in the neighbouring area.

Address: 7538-6 Kamamuta, Takaharu, Nishimorokata-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture (In Japanese: 宮崎県西諸島県群高原町大字蒲牟田7538-6)

Rie posts photos of all her visits around Kyushu on Instagram, so if you’re thinking of ever visiting there, be sure to follow her for ideas on where to go.

Photos by Rie

*The information listed in this article is correct at the time of publishing

Donguri Closet is releasing two new “2-way shirt one piece” dresses inspired by Kiki’s clothes from the Studio Ghibli animated film Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Donguri Closet is a brand by the official Studio Ghibli merchandise shop Donguri Kyowakoku, which is managed by Benelic.

Kiki’s Delivery Service 2-Way Shirt One Piece – Essential Kiki | ¥6,800 (Before Tax)

The one piece dresses come in two colour variations, one of which is based on Kiki’s regular dress, and the other inspired by the pastries sold at the bakery she works at in the movie.

Kiki’s Delivery Service 2-Way Shirt One Piece – Bread Wreath | ¥6,800 (Before Tax)

The dresses are one size fits all, but measure for those who stand at 150cm-168cm tall. Both are made from cotton and hemp so feel soft on the body and are the perfect choice for the hot weather. The dresses can also be worn like a Japanese haori if you undo all of the buttons, giving it more of a shirt look.

Dress like Kiki with these new dresses from Donguri Closet.

A new collection of summer themed Japanese trinkets have been released at branches of the official Studio Ghibli shop Donguri Kyowakoku and its online store Sora no Ue in Japan, including five different folding fans based on My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Spirited Away.

Sensu Folding Fans: ¥2,980 Each (Before Tax)

Studio Ghibli themed folding fans are a popular product every year at Donguri Kyowakoku and Sora no Ue. This year, the designs contrast vivid colours of the main fan face with vivid colours along the frame. The handles are also fitted with  cute ornaments. These ornaments aren’t available with the mini fans however.

Pouch Bags (2 Designs): ¥1,800 Each (Before Tax)

These pouch bags are the perfect coordination partner when combined with a folding fan. The designs give a real yukata-wearing Japanese summer festival vibe.

My Neighbor Totoro Wind Chime: ¥3,200 (Before Tax)

Also available to buy is this My Neighbor Totor wind chime carefully crafted by the artisans over at Oiden, a company that has been around since 1852.

What better way to spend summer than with the characters of Studio Ghibli?

Donguri Kyowakoku Sora no Ue, the official online shop for Studio Ghibli merchandise in Japan, has released its new Donguri Closet line for grown-up fans of the animation studio which will run for a limited time only.

The new Donguri Closet brand focuses on the heroines of Studio Ghibli’s moviesーfemale characters who are by nature gentle but all of whom are strong women. The brand’s concept centres on being a place where people can be themselves through the merch. The collection is available to buy on Donguri Kyowakoku Sora no Ue.

This textile series features both big Totoro and small Totoro running around playing while surrounded by mint leaves.

Mini Pouch – ¥1,600 (Before Tax)

Clear Pouch – ¥1,800 (Before Tax)

The line-up is packed full of items you can use in your everyday life, from pouches to tote bags and more.

Left: Kiki’s Departure Mini Towel – ¥600 (Before Tax) / Right: Baron & Louise Mini Towel – ¥600 (Before Tax)

The mini towels feel soft on the skin and are embroidered with delicate flowers. Their small size means you can carry them around with you everywhere in your bag.

Whisper of the Heart Embroidered Brooch Collection (Box of 10) – ¥7,000 (Before Tax)

A Whisper of the Heart version of the store’s popular embroidered brooch collection enters the fray.

The Donguri Closet collection is available for a limited time only so be sure to check out the official website.