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

Japanese telecommunications operator KDDI is setting up photo spots based on the INFOBAR mobile phone at "au" branches across Japan, beginning in Tokyo before moving to Nagoya, Osaka and Sendai. People are free to snap pictures at these spots and post them to social media. The exhibition is being held to commemorate the release of the INFOBAR xv which hit the market on November 29, 2018. The photo op spots are inspired by the colourful buttons on the phone, an iconic part of its design.   The set was designed by Japanese balloon artist Emi Jinguu who has competed and won in US competitions. Head to one of the au branches below and snap some stylish pictures!

Yuna Yabe and MIOCHIN bring the second entry to their featured article series. In the first article, they visited 6 different second hand clothing stores in Harajuku. This time, they head to various photogenic places around Harajuku. The locations they visited were submitted by their followers on social media who were asked to recommend Instagram-worthy locations in Harajuku. They took plenty of photos, so let’s see how their trip went!   Instagram Worthy Spots in Harajuku Recommended by People Yuna Yabe and MIOCHIN go through Harajuku almost every day. But just because they’re always there, they may still be unaware or not know about some spots. So here’s some spots recommended by their followers! Yuna: “This is from @killer_princess2. Doesn’t it look amazing?! It’s completely black! You’ll be able to take a super cool picture if you wear a monotone outfit! Personally, I definitely want to go and see this.” Yuna: “This is from @misa.s.world. Is it a shop display? What an extremely cool place! It made me think that although I’m in Harajuku almost every day there’s still place I don’t know ahout.”   MIOCHIN: “This is from @kanon_thx. This is the World Clock monument at the MOSHI MOSHI BOX Harajuku Tourist Information Center managed by the MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON Project. It’s a famous spot for photos in Harajuku. It’s easy to find and colourful so I definitely recommend it!”   MIOCHIN: “This is from @twintail.g__. The colourful graffiti is cute! It looks like a place where you could take an Instagram photo if you match outfits with a friend♪” Thank you to everyone who submitted recommendations. Yuna and MIOCHIN will now set off into Harajuku to take some pictures!   Visiting the Recommended Places! The first place they went to is the “Now Is Forever” graffiti located just a short walk from Family Mart on Shibuya Cat Street. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call this place the most popular with people visiting Harajuku for taking Instagram photos. It’s a bit of a walk form the station, but its colours make it stand out so it’s very easy to find and an easy location for snapping shots for your page.   Next, they headed in the direction of Takeshita Street with the “Now Is Forever” to the back of them. They went through Cat Street and took the first left to find the black concrete wall.   Yuna: “When I looked at the photo of this that a follower sent, I really wanted to come here! It’s simple but you don’t really see walls like this, so I recommend it to people!” ★TIP When taking a photo of something black, you can make the black colour more compact and take a better photo by lowering exposure. Depending on what app or device your using the interface will be different, but most use a sun icon for exposure.   Cat Street is a graffiti gold mine. You’ll run into many great photo opportunities just by walking.   ↓ ★TIP Harajuku’s streets are narrow and there’s a lot of obstructions, but if you take advantage of that you can take some very different looking photos from other people. This photo is made gorgeous with the flower bed in a blurry foreground.   Yuna: I put on the VSCO C1 filter on my app. Normally I’m the type to not add flashy things, but the VSCO filters look natural and stylish so I recommend them! The brick wall at MICO Jingumae*, a commercial complex in Cat Street, is also a recommended spot. It’s easy place to take simple photos in full outfits. *Address: 4-25-4 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo   ↓ ★TIP When taking a photo try to make skilled use of blank spaces. By adding stamps later on it’s easy to incorporate more of your style into it!   MIOCHIN: “I used the LINE Camera app and added stamps. The colourful stamps are cute and stand out because the photo has a simple background!” ↓ There’s a sudden refreshing path when you climb the stairs at MICO Jingumae. You can get away from the hustle and bustle of Harajuku and have a breather.   This street has a European vibe to it. From Cat Street it’s close to Omotesando Crossing along Meiji-dori. Walk along the little path beside Laforet Harajuku.   This street goes by the names Mozart Street and Fontaine Street. The two of them discovered a water fountain in front of the building with the beauty salon. Despite being smack in the middle of Harajuku it had an exotic atmosphere.   Did you enjoy this trip? Yuna and MIOCHIN went to stroll around photogenic spots in Harajuku and there were many they hadn’t been introduced to yet. Part of Harajuku’s appeal is how shops, displays and graffiti/illustrations change every day. No matter when you go, you’re sure to have a great time. Why not visit yourself this summer?   This series can also be enjoyed on YouTube. Be sure to check it out below!

Vinyl Museum―a participation-based art exhibition―will make its return at BALLY Ginza, running from July 21 to August 5.

We previously covered the first holding of this event which brings together a variety of art displays specifically intended for people to take photos of for their Instagram pages. Last year's event in Omotesando drew in 5,500 people and over 7,000 posts were posted on Instagram.

This second event will take place in Ginza and hopes to bring in more foreign tourists. They have increased the number of booths on show, and the attendee rate is expected to be around 7,000.

 

 

Moreru Mignon is a purikura haven that prides itself on the concept of offering the world's cutest purikura photos. Now, the shop is opening a new branch inside IKSPIARI®, a commercial facility located inside Tokyo Disney Resort®.

 

SHIBUYA 109 store：https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/62982

 

The interior of the shop is a pink photogenic wonderland. This will be the first Moreru Mignon to open in Chiba Prefecture. It boasts as the biggest puri machine chain in Japan.*

 

*As of February 2018, recorded by FuRyu.

 

 

The Maihama IKSPIARI branch of Moreru Mignon calls itself a town where people can become special guests. They offer a range of outfits and services for your purikura experience. Enjoy taking lots of photogenic pictures in this puri paradise ♪

 

PINK MONUMENT

The PINK MONUMENT is an art display in the shop decorated in pop colours. The inspiration behind the design is parks, and the centerpiece is the giant letter 'P' which towers over the surroundings.

 

PINK GENIC BOOK STORE

This location is made to look like a foreign arty bookstore. The huge books and hands are like trick art, and the decorative and unique walls and floor make for great photos. Check out the lit-up book title and vividly coloured bookmarks too.

 

PINK TOWN TV

The TVs fit into the world of Moreru Mignon too and actually play videos on how to enjoy yourself at the shop, cautions to keep in mind, and more. The pink coloured picture tubes also make this a perfect photo spot.

 

marché mignon

This pink bus sells colourful snacks and miscellaneous items. Some of the products also come in limited edition Moreru Mignon Maihama IKSPIARI packaging. They even sell colour contact lenses.

 

People who take photos in one of FuRyu's 12 popular machines or use the main space will be able to buy some original merchandise.

 

Enter Moreru Mignon, the world's cutest purikura shop, and snap some kawaii pictures!

 

TOKYO ICE CREAM LAND is a majorly Instagrammable art exhibition that will take place during Golden Week (April 28th-May 27th).

TOKYO ICE CREAM LAND is the first art event in Japan to be themed around ice cream. It was held for the first time last year in Omotesando where 7,000 girls turned up for 3 days of ice cream fun. They all documented their experience in the kawaii venue on social media.

This year, as a special gift for those who attend on the weekends and holidays when the event takes place, the first 100 people to turn up will receive a ¥500 shopping coupon that can be used to buy food and items at select Colette Mare stores!

 

Let's all take some great pictures at the photogenic TOKYO ICE CREAM LAND♡