Ghibli Museum

Studio Ghibli, creators of many popular children’s Japanese anime movies and shorts such as; My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, opened it’s doors to the Ghibli museum in 2001. It’s a commercial museum located at the Inokashira Park in Mitaka, 40 minutes outside of Shinjuku. Entrance is strictly with advance purchase, exact date and time in mind aswell. For more information on how to purchase please click on the link http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/ticket_information/

The 20 minute trek from the JR to the Museum though the city of Mitaka, take notice a surprising mix of Japanese and European influence. I say this because the ground work for most houses in Japan consist of clay and wood, yet here you come across houses and apartments that make use of stones/bricks and steel. Here’s an example; google maps is amazing for this! Pan 180 around on the first person view. Peaceful little city to walk through!

While the museum discrete from the rest of the town with its unique coloured exterior,  circular shaped architecture, exceptional gardening skills and it’s unorthodox choice of spiral staircases. With a child oriented atmosphere, maze-like interior, and a motto like “Lets lose our way together”, you know this museum is a playfully created place. Not only does the museum capture the hearts of the kids it does a great job in drawing in adults just as well.
If you’ve ever been into classical animation, this is the place for you. On the bottom floor, they show how traditional animation is created using film reels to simulate a walking or jumping motion. Upstairs are five rooms interlined within each other called, “Where a film is born” and walking through each room gives you a better understanding of how production takes place. Each room is unique, filling it’s warders with inspirational books, toys, drawings, wall covered  illustrations/sketches and a supposed desk varnished in live action drawings. Rooms filled with inspirational visions which may lead to the creation of an actual film someday.

Across from the “where a film is born” is a half scaled model of the Cat Bus from the movie, “My neighbour Totoro”. No matter what time of day, this fluffy toy gets the most attention as children jump, hug and scale the big cat all day. Unfortunately only kids 12 and under are able to play in Cat bus – what a rip! Venturing on from there leads you up a spiral stair case to the roof where you’re greeted by a serene seventeen foot tall Robot Soldier from Laputa Castle in the Sky. It was placed here to fend off any intruders and keep the museum safe!
Theirs lots of other things to see like a special short only shown at the museum, space of wonder, the central hall with all it’s intricate designs, lets not forget a shop and many more! Everything about the museum was A-freaking-mazing; lots to do, lots to see. I came in not expecting it to be this fun, bury yourself in the fun but don’t do what I did and totally loose track of time!

Couple photographs from Inokashira Park:

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Tokyo Tower

While sitting in the JR I remember watching the sun slowly drop from the sky; thinking to myself if I could make it to the top of Tokyo Tower in time for the sunset. This was going to be another one of those times I have to run because it’s closing or for a photographic opportunity I just couldn’t miss!

Standing at 333 meters (1,091 ft), the Eiffel-inspired lattice tower is hard to miss with it’s bright white and orange colours from any distance. Built back in ’58, it’s the tallest self-supporting steel structure in the world. With it’s popularity still growing the structures main source of revenue isn’t just antenna leasing, but also through tourism as well. At the foot of the tower is a four story building which houses a museum, restaurants, and some souvenir shops. Departing from here, guests can visit two observation desks; the two story Main Observatory at 150 meters (492 ft) and the Special Observatory at meters (820 ft).  Just warming to first time visitors, the elevator ride to the Special Observatory isn’t included in the ticket price and will require you to fork out an extra 600Yen to see a better view. What’s another 7 bucks to get the best view of Tokyo. No hesitation, the absolute best investment!

Let me side track a little and tell you another reason what’s great about Special Observatory. Not only can you brag to your family and friends about the photos you took but with a payphone installed, you can call them as well! I wip out the phone card and start dialing my parents; it went something like this,

“Hi Mom! Just calling to tell you I’m safe. By the way, I’m calling you from Tokyo Tower at 820ft so I have to make this quick because there’s this breath taking sunset over downtown Tokyo and Mount Fuji which I just can’t miss! We’ll talk soon though, bye!”

Yes i’m an awful person, that should keep’em jealous for a bit