6 places in Japan that look like scenes from Spirited Away

The structure of Dogo Onsen Honkan has remained the same since it was first built in 1893, making the bathhouse one of the oldest still operating in Japan. Studio Ghibli confirmed that this bathhouse in the southwest region of Shikoku, was used as one of the main models for Yubaba’s bathhouse, which is a mix of Japanese and Western architecture. 

Although it has been nearly 20 years since the film was released, Dogo Onsen Honkan still attracts masses of Ghibli fans every day. There are two different baths in the building, Kami no Yu and Tamano Yu, each have individual admission fees for people visiting on day trips.

The Edo Open-Air Architectural Museum features a myriad of buildings that stood in and around Tokyo between the 17th and mid-19th centuries. When making ‘Spirited Away’, Miyazaki visited the seven-hectare site to seek inspiration and capture the nostalgic feel of the museum’s buildings. One of the exhibits, a former stationary shop called Takei Sanshodo, is strikingly similar to the boiler room run by the eight-limbed Kamaji.

Filled with ancient Japanese artworks, silk screens and koi ponds, Hotel Gajoen in Meguro is easily one of the grandest hotels in Japan. So grand, in fact, that it was even used as a model when designing the ‘Spirited Away’ bathhouse. 

Though the hotel was established as Meguro Gajoen in 1931, much of the original structure had to be torn down and reconstructed in 1988 to make way for the development of the Meguro River. Just a few sections of the hotel were left untouched during rebuilding operations, including the Hyakudan Kaidan (hundred steps), which is now a designated tangible cultural property of Tokyo. People think the Hyakudan Kaidan – and the adjoining gallery rooms – were particularly influential on scenes like No Face’s big feast. You can see the steps for yourself with this 360-degree virtual tour.

Though it wasn’t mentioned as a source of inspiration by Studio Ghibli, Kanaguya still draws innumerable ‘Spirited Away’ fans for its sprawling structure and striking red interior, which resemble the grandiose features of the bathhouse seen in the film. The nearly century-old ryokan is situated in a hot spring village with a 250-year history.

According to the staff of Shima Onsen, Hayao Miyazaki actually stayed here prior to making ‘Spirited Away’. You’ll quickly spot the influence of this historical bathhouse on the one in the movie, because it, too, is situated on the other side of a red bridge. In the film, Chihiro had to hold her breath when crossing the bridge so other visitors wouldn’t realise she was a human, but you won’t have to worry about doing that here.

What is it like to get on a train that runs over water to a place you’ve never been before? You can find out for yourself by catching one at the remote Shimonada Station in Ehime Prefecture. 

These scenic train tracks run along the coastline, but if you sit back and stare out the train’s windows, the passing view looks exactly like what Chihiro saw when she was journeying to meet Zeniba, the twin sister of Yubaba, the mistress of the bathhouse.