go to Ghibli Museum

This was one of the main things we wanted to do in Tokyo and we weren’t disappointed. The tickets are pretty hard to buy (go through www.mybus.co.uk in the UK exactly one month in advance of the date you want to visit) but it’s worth the effort.

We loved the suburb of Mitaka (where the museum is situated). It’s fairly leafy compared to the other areas that we explored and has an almost European feel. The museum itself is wonderful – all curves and colours with mazelike rooms and staircases. Alas, we couldn’t take photos inside, but I will post one of the exterior.

My favourite rooms were the ones whicb linked to show how a storyboard and the animation is developed. These were kitted out in haphazard study-style, as if Miyazaki had worked and been inspired in them himself, with lots of random objects, dusty books and doodles. Truly magical.

Every little detail done to perfection, from the beautiful stained glass windows depicting scenes from the movies, to the rooftop garden and the giant robot from Castle In The Sky.

But if you’re expecting to find a big selection in the gift shop, you’ll be disappointed. If you see any Ghibli merchandise in Japan, get it while you can, you may not see it anywhere else!