Nagoya is one of the largest cities in Japan. Right in the middle of Tokyo and Kyoto. A manufacturing and shipping hub. And apparently it has a reputation. As the most boring city in the country.
We might have used that as an excuse to take it easy for a few days. (Well, that and the typhoon that kept it raining for the entire 4 days we were there.) But, really, we only stopped there for 2 very specific reasons. One of which was Studio Ghibli Park!
Howl’s Castle. Arietty’s secret miniature world. Tons of scenes from movies to step into. Characters to pose with. New movies to add to our watch list!
We spent hours and hours wandering the park. Through Totoro’s forest under our umbrellas. To Kiki’s house above the bakery (under our umbrellas). Past Princess Mononoke’s watchtower. While under our umbrellas. We got to see a special short film about Mei and the cat bus. (Dry, in the enormous warehouse of built sets.)
It was fabulous! And definitely worth the travel commitment!
And we also visited the nearby village of Tokoname. It was one of the major producers of pottery for Japan. Like, for a couple centuries. Pipes, pots, pretty things. Huge kilns and soaring chimneys and narrow alleys just littered with ceramics.
It’s literally paved in ceramics. Built of ceramics. Decorated with ceramics. And still home to lots of artists and studios and galleries. A must-see for any potter in your life!
Now, I’m absolutely sure we could have found much more in Nagoya to amuse us. A planetarium, a museum about the Toyota company, shrines and temples and a castle. For now, though, we’ll say thank you for our special and very specific visit. We are quite satisfied.
And off we fly to Hokkaido!
Magrilless 