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Tokyo Weekender
17-07-2025
- Tokyo Weekender
The Best Day Trips From Nagoya by Train
Beyond its impressive historical sites and delicious miso, Nagoya is also a convenient base for exploring the Chubu region. The city is situated right in the center of the Japanese archipelago, and offers easy access to lush mountains, striking architecture and local gems. Read on for a list of our recommended day trips from central Nagoya. List of Contents: Inuyama Nagakute Takayama Ise Gifu Omi Hachiman Gamagori Related Posts inuyama castle Inuyama Easily accessible via the Meitetsu-Inuyama Line Semi-Express from Meitetsu Nagoya Station in just over 30 minutes, Inuyama offers an ideal day trip from Nagoya. The city's highlight is Inuyama Castle , a national treasure and one of Japan's oldest original castles, which provides panoramic views from its wooden keep. Adjacent to the castle lies a charming town, including Showa Alley, where visitors can stroll through traditional streets and enjoy local snacks such as dango (Japanese dumpling made from rice flour). Other notable attractions include the picturesque Sanko Inari Shrine with its iconic red torii gates and heart-shaped ema (wooden prayer plaques) and Urakuen Garden , home to the historic Joan teahouse built in 1618. For those interested in architecture from the Meiji era, the Meiji Mura open-air museum is a short bus ride away from Inuyama Station. Don't miss the Imperial Hotel's striking geometric entrance, designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. ghibli park Nagakute Nagakute, located just east of Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, can be reached in about an hour from Nagoya via the Higashiyama Line to Fujigaoka and then by bus. A major draw is Ghibli Park , situated within the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park), inviting visitors to step into the whimsical worlds of Studio Ghibli films with immersive exhibits and beautifully recreated scenes. Beyond the magic of Ghibli, history enthusiasts can explore the Nagakute Battlefield , a significant site where Toyotomi Hideyoshi (then known as Hashiba Hideyoshi) and Tokugawa Ieyasu's troops fought in 1584. Another popular spot to explore in the area includes the Toyota Automobile Museum , which showcases a vast collection of classic and modern vehicles. Sanmachi Suji Takayama Takayama in Gifu Prefecture, often called 'Little Kyoto' due to its beautiful Edo-period streets, is around two and a half hours from Nagoya via the JR Hida Limited Express. Upon arrival, visitors can immerse themselves in Sanmachi Suji, Takayama's historic district, characterized by its traditional wooden merchant houses that are home to sake breweries, craft shops and cafes. For a deeper dive into the town's rich history, explore Takayama Jinya , a beautifully preserved Edo-era administrative building, and consider a visit to the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall to marvel at the elaborate floats used in its famous biannual festival. The Higashiyama Walking Course offers a tranquil stroll through a temple-lined hillside, providing scenic views of the town. meoto iwa Ise Ise , located in Mie Prefecture and home to one of Japan's most sacred Shinto shrines, can be reached in about 90 minutes by Kintetsu limited express trains to Iseshi or Ujiyamada stations. One of its most symbolic sites is the Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu), a complex with more than 120 shrines. The two most significant are the Inner Shrine (Naiku), dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, and the Outer Shrine (Geku), dedicated to Toyouke no Omikami, the deity of food and provisions. After visiting the shrine, explore Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho , charming historical streets with traditional buildings housing shops selling local specialties such as Ise udon, aka mochi rice cakes and various souvenirs. If you're traveling with your significant other, head to Futami Okitama Shrine for an ethereal sight and good fortune. It is known for its proximity to the Meoto Iwa 'wedded rocks' that are joined by a sacred rope. view from gifu castle Gifu Ideal for nature lovers and history buffs, Gifu city can be reached in less than 30 minutes from Nagoya Station. Home to Gifu Castle , a stronghold of the daimyo Oda Nobunaga, Gifu also boasts a fascinating history and rich culture. The Kawaramachi district , for instance, is a centuries-old riverside port with latticed townhouses, traditional sweets shops and narrow alleys. Shoboji Temple , which belongs to the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism, houses one of Japan's most famous Daibutsu (Great Buddha statues). Gifu Park, located at the foot of Mount Kinka and Gifu Castle, provides a lush space to read and rest, and is home to Nobunaga's Garden and the remains of his former residence. If you're visiting in the summer, check out Minna no Mori (Gifu City Chuo Library), a dreamy architectural gem known for its 'forest of umbrellas.' We also recommend trying Gifu delicacies such as Hida beef and ayu fish. For more details, check out our guide to Gifu city . Hachiman-bori Canal la collina omihachiman Omi Hachiman Less than an hour away from Nagoya via the Shinkansen and Biwako Line Special Rapid, Omi Hachiman in Shiga Prefecture is a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Biwa. Its most beloved site is Hachiman-bori Canal , where you can enjoy leisurely boat rides while looking out at traditional merchant houses. Omi was a powerful trading region for centuries, and its history has been preserved with thought and care. Another unique attraction is La Collina Omihachiman , the flagship store of the Taneya Group — a well-known producer of Japanese and Western confectionaries, bakeries and more. Designed by architect Terunobu Fujimori, the grass-covered structure is a sight to behold in itself. While there, try their famous freshly-baked Baumkuchen and fluffy castella. We also recommend taking the Hachimanyama Ropeway up Mount Hachiman to visit Zuiryuji Temple — the serene grounds are particularly enchanting in the autumn when they are shrouded in vibrant shades of red. Shinmachi Dori , a street lined with historic merchant residences, is a designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings and has been around since the end of the Edo period. While in the area, check out Kawara Museum , which celebrates Omi Hachiman's rich history of tile artisanship. takeshima island Gamagori Known for its natural beauty, hot springs and family-friendly sightseeing, Gamagori is a coastal city in Aichi Prefecture. It's reachable in about 45 minutes from Nagoya Station via the Tokaido Line Special Rapid service. The city's most iconic site is Takeshima Island , a scenic, peaceful gem connected by a bridge to the mainland. It is said that walking across this bridge brings couples good luck. On Takeshima, visit Yaotomi Shrine, dedicated to the Buddhist goddess Benzaiten. If you are traveling with kids, Laguna Ten Bosch resort features an amusement park, water park and dazzling illuminations. Gamagori Orange Park , where you can participate in seasonal fruit picking, is another family-friendly place to visit. The fruits harvested here are known for their fine quality, and distributed to markets all over Japan. Related Posts Best Day Trips From Osaka by Train Day Trips From Tokyo for Every Type of Traveler The Best of Gifu City: A Weekend Trip for Nature Lovers and History Buffs Iseshima: The Soul of Japan
Free Malaysia Today
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Studio Ghibli marks 40 years, but future looks uncertain
The studio has become a cultural phenomenon since Hayao Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata established it in 1985. (AFP pic) TOKYO : Japan's Studio Ghibli turns 40 this month with two Oscars and legions of fans young and old won over by its complex plots and fantastical hand-drawn animation. But the future is uncertain, with latest hit 'The Boy and the Heron' likely – but not certainly – the final feature from celebrated co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, now 84. The studio behind the Oscar-winning 'Spirited Away' has become a cultural phenomenon since Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata established it in 1985. Its popularity has been fuelled of late by a second Academy Award in 2024 for 'The Boy and the Heron', starring Robert Pattinson, and by Netflix streaming Ghibli movies around the world. In March, the internet was flooded with pictures in its distinctively nostalgic style after the release of OpenAI's newest image generator – raising questions over copyright. The newly opened Ghibli Park has also become a major tourist draw for central Japan's Aichi region. Julia Santilli, a 26-year-old from Britain living in northern Japan, 'fell in love with Ghibli' after watching the 2001 classic 'Spirited Away' as a child. 'I started collecting all the DVDs,' she told AFP. Ghibli stories are 'very engaging and the artwork is stunning', said another fan, Margot Divall, 26. 'I probably watch 'Spirited Away' about 10 times a year still.' 'Whiff of death' Before Ghibli, most cartoons in Japan- known as anime – were made for children. But Miyazaki and Takahata, both from 'the generation that knew war', included darker elements that appeal to adults, Miyazaki's son Goro told AFP. 'It's not all sweet – there's also a bitterness and things like that which are beautifully intertwined in the work,' he said, describing a 'whiff of death' in the films. For younger people who grew up in peacetime, 'it is impossible to create something with the same sense, approach and attitude', Goro said. Even 'My Neighbor Totoro', with its cuddly forest creatures, is in some ways a 'scary' movie that explores the fear of losing a sick mother, he explained. Susan Napier, a professor at Tufts University in the United States and author of 'Miyazakiworld: A Life in Art', agrees. 'In Ghibli, you have ambiguity, complexity and also a willingness to see that the darkness and light often go together' unlike good-versus-evil US cartoons, she said. The post-apocalyptic 'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind' – considered the first Ghibli film despite its release in 1984 – has no obvious villain, for example. The movie featuring an independent princess curious about giant insects and a poisonous forest felt 'so fresh' and a change from 'a passive woman… having to be rescued', Napier said. Natural world Studio Ghibli films also depict a universe where humans connect deeply with nature and the spirit world. A case in point was 1997's 'Princess Mononoke', distributed internationally by Disney. The tale of a girl raised by a wolf goddess in a forest threatened by humans is 'a masterpiece – but a hard movie', Napier said. It's a 'serious, dark and violent' film appreciated more by adults, which 'was not what US audiences had anticipated with a movie about a princess'. Ghibli films 'have an environmentalist and animistic side, which I think is very appropriate for the contemporary world with climate change', she added. Miyuki Yonemura, a professor at Japan's Senshu University who studies cultural theories on animation, said watching Ghibli movies is like reading literature. 'That's why some children watch Totoro 40 times,' she said, adding that audiences 'discover something new every time'. French connection Miyazaki and Takahata – who died in 2018 – could create imaginative worlds because of their openness to other cultures, Yonemura said. Foreign influences included writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery and animator Paul Grimault, both French, and Canadian artist Frederic Back, who won an Oscar for his animation 'The Man Who Planted Trees'. Takahata studying French literature at university 'was a big factor', Yonemura said. 'Both Miyazaki and Takahata read a lot,' she said. 'That's a big reason why they excel at writing scripts and creating stories.' Miyazaki has said he was inspired by several books for 'Nausicaa', including the 12th-century Japanese tale 'The Lady who Loved Insects', and Greek mythology. Studio Ghibli will not be the same after Miyazaki stops creating animation, 'unless similar talent emerges', Yonemura said. Miyazaki is 'a fantastic artist with such a visual imagination' while both he and Takahata were 'politically progressive', Napier said. 'The more I study, the more I realise this was a unique cultural moment,' she said. 'It's so widely loved that I think it will carry on,' said Ghibli fan Divall. 'As long as it doesn't lose its beauty, as long as it carries on the amount of effort, care and love,' she said.
Japan Times
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Studio Ghibli marks 40 years, but future looks uncertain
Japan's Studio Ghibli turns 40 this month with two Oscars and legions of fans young and old won over by its complex plots and fantastical hand-drawn animation. But the future is uncertain, with latest hit "The Boy and the Heron" likely — but not certainly — the final feature from celebrated co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, now 84. In March, the internet was flooded with pictures in Studio Ghibli's distinctively nostalgic style after the release of OpenAI's newest image generator — raising questions over copyright. The studio behind the Oscar-winning "Spirited Away" has become a cultural phenomenon since Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata — he passed away in 2018 — established it in 1985. Its popularity has been fueled of late by a second Academy Award in 2024 for "The Boy and the Heron," starring Robert Pattinson, and by Netflix streaming Ghibli movies around the world. The newly opened Ghibli Park has also become a major tourist draw for central Japan's Aichi region. In addition to its museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, Studio Ghibli opened a theme park in Aichi Prefecture, in November 2022. | Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP-JIJI Julia Santilli, a 26-year-old from Britain living in northern Japan, "fell in love with Ghibli" after watching the 2001 classic "Spirited Away" as a child. "I started collecting all the DVDs," she says. Ghibli stories are "very engaging and the artwork is stunning," says another fan, Margot Divall, 26. "I probably watch 'Spirited Away' about 10 times a year, still." Before Ghibli, most cartoons in Japan — known as anime — were made for children. But Miyazaki and Takahata, both from "the generation that knew war," included darker elements that appeal to adults, Miyazaki's son Goro says. "It's not all sweet — there's also a bitterness and things like that which are beautifully intertwined in the work," he adds, describing a "whiff of death" in the films. For younger people who grew up in time of peace, "it is impossible to create something with the same sense, approach and attitude," Goro says. Even "My Neighbor Totoro," with its cuddly forest creatures, is in some ways a "scary" movie that explores the fear of losing a sick mother, he explains. Susan Napier, a professor at Tufts University in the United States and author of "Miyazakiworld: A Life in Art," agrees. "In Ghibli, you have ambiguity, complexity and also a willingness to see that the darkness and light often go together" unlike good-versus-evil U.S. cartoons, she says. Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, now 84, has stepped back a few times before returning with "The Boy and the Heron" which is likely to be his final feature. | AFP-JIJI The post-apocalyptic "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" — considered the first Ghibli film despite its release in 1984 — has no obvious villain, for example. Featuring an independent princess curious about giant insects and a poisonous forest, the film felt "so fresh" and a change from "a passive woman... having to be rescued," Napier says. Studio Ghibli films also depict a universe where humans connect deeply with nature and the spirit world. A case in point was 1997's "Princess Mononoke," distributed internationally by Disney. The tale of a girl raised by a wolf goddess in a forest threatened by humans is "a masterpiece — but a hard movie," Napier says. It's a "serious, dark and violent" film appreciated more by adults, which "was not what U.S. audiences had anticipated with a movie about a princess. "Ghibli films "have an environmentalist and animistic side, which I think is very appropriate for the contemporary world with climate change," Napier adds. Miyuki Yonemura, a professor at Japan's Senshu University who studies cultural theories on animation, says watching Ghibli movies is like reading literature. "That's why some children watch 'My Neighbor Totoro' 40 times," she says, adding that audiences "discover something new every time." With Takahata studying French literature at university and Miyazaki also reading voraciously, there are naturally French literature influences in Ghibli's works. | Thomas SAMSON / AFP-JIJI Miyazaki and Takahata could create imaginative worlds because of their openness to other cultures, Yonemura says. Foreign influences include writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery and animator Paul Grimault, both French, and Canadian artist Frederic Back, who won an Oscar for his animation "The Man Who Planted Trees." Takahata studying French literature at university "was a big factor," Yonemura says. "Both Miyazaki and Takahata read a lot," she adds. "That's a big reason why they excel at writing scripts and creating stories." Miyazaki has said he was inspired by several books for "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind," including the 12th-century Japanese tale "The Lady who Loved Insects," and Greek mythology. Studio Ghibli will not be the same after Miyazaki stops creating animation, "unless similar talent emerges," Yonemura says. Miyazaki is "a fantastic artist with such a visual imagination," while both he and Takahata were "politically progressive," Napier says. "The more I study, the more I realize this was a unique cultural moment," she says. "It's so widely loved that I think it will carry on," says Ghibli fan Divall. "As long as it doesn't lose its beauty, as long as it carries on the amount of effort, care and love," she adds. Studio Ghibli has offices in western Tokyo. | AFP-JIJI Studio Ghibli's heavy hitters Here are the studio's top five films that have delighted fans over the decades: "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" (1984) Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985, but this post-apocalyptic story featuring a young, independent princess curious about giant insects is considered its first film. It was based on a comic-strip series that Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki wrote for a magazine targeted at anime fans. Set 1,000 years after a war that destroyed human civilization, the story takes place in a valley protected from toxic air emitted from poisonous forests. Miyazaki won critical acclaim and a cult following for the film about Nausicaa, who discovers the forests' secrets after getting embroiled in conflicts between countries trying to revive a lethal "giant warrior." "My Neighbor Totoro" (1988) This beloved Ghibli classic is set in the 1950s Japanese countryside where two young sisters with a sick mother move from the city. They encounter the cuddly yet mysterious forest spirit Totoro and Catbus, a 12-legged grinning cat with a hollow body in the form of a bus — two characters who have since become worldwide-known Studio Ghibli mascots. The film was also turned into a play for the first time by Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company in 2022. "Princess Mononoke" (1997) The tale of a girl raised by a wolf goddess in a forest threatened by humans was a smash hit in Japan and raised Miyazaki's profile internationally. A young prince on a journey to find a cure for his curse meets San, also known as Princess Mononoke — meaning a spirit or monster in Japanese. The prince sets out to find ways to avoid wars between destructive humans and animal gods, centered around the ultimate god which is nature itself. "Spirited Away" (2001) Miyazaki won his first Oscar with this film about a girl who gets lost in a mystical world of gods and spirits where she tries to save her parents, who are turned into pigs. In order to survive, 10-year-old Chihiro is told by a mysterious boy to get a job at an enormous Japanese bathhouse run by a witch. In a story infused with Japanese beliefs and traditions, Chihiro gains confidence through her work and solves the boy's curse before rescuing her parents. "The Boy and the Heron" (2023) Miyazaki's second Oscar-winning film — and likely the 84-year-old's last feature — follows a boy struggling to accept his new life after his mother dies in the haunting fire-bombing of Tokyo during World War II. Everything changes when he meets a talking heron and embarks on a journey to an alternate universe, shared by the living and the dead, to find his missing stepmother. In a documentary, Miyazaki, visibly affected by the 2018 death of Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, said the pair had had a "love-hate relationship" and that he had based the character of the grand-uncle on him.
Asharq Al-Awsat
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Studio Ghibli Marks 40 Years, but Future Looks Uncertain
Japan's Studio Ghibli turns 40 this month with two Oscars and legions of fans young and old won over by its complex plots and fantastical hand-drawn animation. But the future is uncertain, with latest hit "The Boy and the Heron" likely -- but not certainly -- the final feature from celebrated co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, now 84. The studio behind the Oscar-winning "Spirited Away" has become a cultural phenomenon since Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata established it in 1985. Its popularity has been fueled of late by a second Academy Award in 2024 for "The Boy and the Heron", starring Robert Pattinson, and by Netflix streaming Ghibli movies around the world. In March, the internet was flooded with pictures in its distinctively nostalgic style after the release of OpenAI's newest image generator, raising questions over copyright. The newly opened Ghibli Park has also become a major tourist draw for central Japan's Aichi region. Julia Santilli, a 26-year-old from Britain living in northern Japan, "fell in love with Ghibli" after watching the 2001 classic "Spirited Away" as a child. "I started collecting all the DVDs," she told AFP. Ghibli stories are "very engaging and the artwork is stunning", said another fan, Margot Divall, 26. "I probably watch 'Spirited Away' about 10 times a year still." - 'Whiff of death' - Before Ghibli, most cartoons in Japan, known as anime, were made for children. But Miyazaki and Takahata, both from "the generation that knew war", included darker elements that appeal to adults, Miyazaki's son Goro told AFP. "It's not all sweet -- there's also a bitterness and things like that which are beautifully intertwined in the work," he said, describing a "whiff of death" in the films. For younger people who grew up in peacetime, "it is impossible to create something with the same sense, approach and attitude," Goro said. Even "My Neighbor Totoro," with its cuddly forest creatures, is in some ways a "scary" movie that explores the fear of losing a sick mother, he explained. Susan Napier, a professor at Tufts University in the United States and author of "Miyazakiworld: A Life in Art", agrees. "In Ghibli, you have ambiguity, complexity and also a willingness to see that the darkness and light often go together" unlike good-versus-evil US cartoons, she said. The post-apocalyptic "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" -- considered the first Ghibli film despite its release in 1984 -- has no obvious villain, for example. The movie featuring an independent princess curious about giant insects and a poisonous forest felt "so fresh" and a change from "a passive woman... having to be rescued," Napier said. - Natural world - Studio Ghibli films also depict a universe where humans connect deeply with nature and the spirit world. A case in point was 1997's "Princess Mononoke", distributed internationally by Disney. The tale of a girl raised by a wolf goddess in a forest threatened by humans is "a masterpiece -- but a hard movie," Napier said. It's a "serious, dark and violent" film appreciated more by adults, which "was not what US audiences had anticipated with a movie about a princess." Ghibli films "have an environmentalist and animistic side, which I think is very appropriate for the contemporary world with climate change," she added. Miyuki Yonemura, a professor at Japan's Senshu University who studies cultural theories on animation, said watching Ghibli movies is like reading literature. "That's why some children watch Totoro 40 times," she said, adding that audiences "discover something new every time." - French connection - Miyazaki and Takahata, who died in 2018, could create imaginative worlds because of their openness to other cultures, Yonemura said. Foreign influences included writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery and animator Paul Grimault, both French, and Canadian artist Frederic Back, who won an Oscar for his animation "The Man Who Planted Trees". Takahata studying French literature at university "was a big factor," Yonemura said. "Both Miyazaki and Takahata read a lot," she said. "That's a big reason why they excel at writing scripts and creating stories." Miyazaki has said he was inspired by several books for "Nausicaa", including the 12th-century Japanese tale "The Lady who Loved Insects", and Greek mythology. Studio Ghibli will not be the same after Miyazaki stops creating animation, "unless similar talent emerges," Yonemura said. Miyazaki is "a fantastic artist with such a visual imagination" while both he and Takahata were "politically progressive," Napier said. "The more I study, the more I realize this was a unique cultural moment," she said. "It's so widely loved that I think it will carry on," said Ghibli fan Divall. "As long as it doesn't lose its beauty, as long as it carries on the amount of effort, care and love," she said.
NDTV
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Watch: Vlogger Shares Video Of 'Cat Cable Car' In Japan, Internet Is Impressed
Studio Ghibli's animated films have a strong fan base of their own. With the AI-created Ghibli art trending on social media, the animation style has now gone viral amongst a large audience worldwide. Several tourists are visiting Japan every year with the motive of seeing the places that inspired the scenes in Ghibli films. While getting tickets to tourist locations like Ghibli Park and Museum can be difficult, you can still visit nearby hidden places that will remind you of your favourite Ghibli movies. Also Read: Why Shoveling Snow Is Japan's Newest Tourist Attraction (And Why Tourists Love It) In a video shared on Instagram, a vlogger shares that you can ride the Cat Cable Car from the Ikoma Cable Car Torii-Mae Station, which will take you to the real-life Ghibli village. The best part? It costs just two dollars or Rs 170 per person and offers a panoramic view of the Nara Basin. The destination is Hozan-ji Temple. Located in Ikoma, Nara City, the offbeat place has a nostalgic and charming atmosphere with traditional architecture and a peaceful environment, which can evoke a sense of Studio Ghibli's world. The video went viral with over two million views on Instagram. Several people shared their experience of visiting the Hozan-ji Temple in the comment section. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ANANYA RAY (@ One user wrote, "I went there, it's my absolute favourite spot." Another added, "I've been and it's awesome in hydrangea season!" A viewer commented, "We have this planned for our trip to Nara next month." "Thank you so much, I have added it to my itinerary. Grateful for people like you sharing these great spots," read a comment. Hozan-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ikoma, Nara, Japan. Though officially dedicated to the deity Acala, the temple serves as a cult-center of the deity Kangiten and is also called 'Ikoma-Shoten'. The area is known for its ethereal mountaintop temple complex and hidden village, inspired by Studio Ghibli films.
