[Ghibli Park] How to Enjoy Dondoko Forest! (Satsuki and Mei's House & Dondoko-do)

​"Dondoko Forest" in "Ghibli Park" that expresses the world of Studio Ghibli works.

”Dondoko Forest” includes Satsuki and May's house from "My Neighbor Totoro," Totoro's wooden playground "Dondoko-do," the "Dondoko Shop" where visitors can purchase souvenirs, and the "Dondoko dokoro" where drinks and candy are available. Incidentally, "Dondoko" is derived from the "Dondoko Odori" dance performed by Satsuki, Mei and Totoro to wish for the germination of the seeds they planted.

This time, we will introduce how to enjoy "Dondoko Mori".

How to get to "Dondoko Forest"

West exit rest area in front of the west exit parking lot

Ghibli Park is located in the Aichi Expo Commemorative Park (commonly known as Moricoro Park).

If you come by car, we recommend using the West Exit Parking Lot. By the way, there are no lockers in Dondoko Forest, so we recommend to leave your large baggage in the locker at the west exit rest area. (Lockers are also available at the North Exit Information Center)

If you go along the Japanese garden from the west exit parking lot, you will arrive at "Dondoko Mori". Alternatively, if the weather is nice, we recommend taking the walking path in the forest as shown in the photo!

It takes about 30 to 40 minutes on foot from Linimo Aichi Expo Park Station to Dondoko Mori, so we recommend taking the park bus! There is also a bus stop near "Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse".

▼ Click here for details
https://www.aichi-koen.com/moricoro/riyouannai/parkmap/#root

Every detail has been realistically reproduced
"Satsuki and Mei's House"

A gatepost that makes you want to call it "Satsuki-chan"

Present your ticket at the reception and head to the Dondoko Forest area!

You can enter "Satsuki and Mei's House" until 30 minutes after the designated time, and you can enter the hill where "Dondoko-do" is located anytime during the designated day, so let's visit "Satsuki and Mei's House" first. 

The nostalgic world of the early Showa 30's

Onigawara (devil's tile) on a Japanese-style roof. The hiragana letter "to" is written on it!

There is a red dragonfly on the roof, so please look for it!

Both the building and the garden express the nostalgic atmosphere of the early 1950s, when the story is set. You will feel as if you have wandered into the world of "My Neighbor Totoro".

It is said that this architectural style, which is called “bunka-jutaku” or “Japanese-style residence with Western-style building”, became popular among middle-class families in the early Showa period. It was built as a pavilion for the 2005 Aichi Expo, with the theme of the environment.

The study of the archaeologist father

First, let's head to the study of the father, Tatsuo Kusakabe, who is an archaeologist!

The desk is where Mei placed flowers, saying, "you be the flower shop, daddy." Children's works were also displayed.

Books on archaeology are piled up tightly.  Every detail is very realistic!

A Japanese-style room where you can imagine the life of the Kusakabe family

The porch and Japanese-style room are just like in the movie! You can imagine how Satsuki and Mei must have lived here in the early 1950s.

The point of "Satsuki and Mei's House" is that the closets and drawers can be opened and closed freely.

Let's open the wardrobe right away!

Is this the father's hat? We were so excited to see what was in the drawers.

This is the study desk where Satsuki was writing letters. Satsuki's school bag was also placed.

The second floor is closed to the public, but when you open the door, there are stairs. You can't help but want to sing "Come out, come out, wherever you are!"

The kitchen where Satsuki made lunches and breakfast

The kitchen where Satsuki made her lunch and breakfast is also very realistic! The actual fire in the kitchen can be used to cook food.

Water flows through the sink, so you can actually experience it!

We found everyone's lunch box on the kitchen shelf!

A bathroom where you can almost hear the father's laughter

A bathroom where you can hear the father's laughter. The pattern of the tiles is also reproduced as in the movie.

Go outside to the back of the building.

Let's go outside the entrance and go to the back of the building.

The father's study can be visited from the outside. Is the drawing set for Mei-chan?

The porch can be sat on from the outside, making it perfect for commemorative photos. You can take a picture that really represents Japanese summer in countryside!

The well is where Kanta's grandmother was doing laundry. You can actually get water from the well.
There is also a bucket with holes, so please try to shoot like Mei-chan!

Are these acorns forgotten by Totoro? ! Every detail is full of tricks that Ghibli fans will love.

A garden that makes you want to dance the "Dondoko Odori" dance, in which Satsuki, Mei, and Totoro pray for the germination of the seeds they planted. Please dance with an umbrella.

Climb the stairs to "Dondoko-do"

There are two ways to access Dondoko-do. (You can enter the hill behind "Dondoko-do" anytime during the designated day.)

This is the trailhead in front of Satsuki and Mei's house. After climbing 100 steps, you will arrive at Dondoko-do.

There is also a way to climb from the back side of the mountain with the slope car "Dondoko"! Strollers, wheelchairs, and physically handicapped people have priority, so please respect each other.

It can also be used when descending.

The giant Totoro "Dondoko-do" with a height of about 5m at the top of the mountain is a wooden playground equipment. Only children of elementary school age and younger can climb the lower ladder to enter and play.

Almost everything is made of natural materials that can be returned to the soil, and it was made using traditional Japanese construction methods. The eyes and nose were made of Seto ware, the roof was made of shingle, and the claws and whiskers were made by a swordsmith.

"Dondoko Shop" where you can buy souvenirs

The Dondoko Shop sells limited-edition goods that can only be purchased here, such as amulets, netsuke, and stamp books. Perfect for souvenirs!

To “Dondokodokoro” which can be used for free

"Dondokodokoro" at the entrance of the "Dondoko Forest" area is a free area, so you can use it without a ticket.

Dondokodokoro also has goods that can only be obtained here, such as Totoro's mini kalimba, Dondoko candy, and Bird Call, so be sure to check them out!

This time, we introduced how to enjoy "Dondoko Forest" in "Ghibli Park". It takes about an hour, so be sure to visit the other areas as well.

▼Check this out!

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