Studio Ghibli Spirited Away x Toshio Suzuki Exhibition in Tokyo at Kanda Shrine

Tokyo Culture Ghibli

2019.04.01

A number of people around the world are influenced by the Japanese animation film studio Studio Ghibli. Everyone has a Studio Ghibli classic in their hearts, "My Neighbor Totoro", "Castle in the Sky", "Kiki's Delivery Service", "Howl's Moving Castle", "Ponyo", etc. Ghibli fans go to the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka when the visit Tokyo, but now they have another attraction to visit for a limited time. A new exhibition has opened up in Tokyo to celebrate a former president and producer of Studio Ghibli, Toshio Suzuki. The exhibition features calligraphy and words of wisdom from Suzuki along with many Spirited Away themed exhibits.

In the past as the master producer of Studio Ghibli, Toshio Suzuki met Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata 40 years ago and worked together on works including "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind", "Spirited Away", "The Wind Rises", and "The Tale of Princess Kaguya". The Toshio Suzuki and Studio Ghibli Exhibition is based around "the words of Toshio Suzuki", showing a combination of Suzuki’s quotes and illustrations incorporated with Ghibli. Similar exhibitions were held in Hiroshima and Nagoya in previous years, but in a way to make this exhibition different a limited collaboration was made with Kanda Myojin Shrine.

Toshio Suzuki and Studio Ghibli x Kanda Myojin Shrine
Collaboration Goods

Given the fact that the exhibition will be held at Tokyo's Kanda Shrine, it would only make sense that the collaborative merchandise would be related to Japanese shrines and temples. To our amazement, the collaborative items are really clever and done in good taste making us want everything. Some things you can expect to see are Yubaba ema (small wooden prayer plaques), ema in the shape of a shikigami (the paper creatures that chased Haku), a Yubaba omamori amulet, and wooden tags that resemble the ones needed to operate the baths.

Themed Food at the Edocco Cafe Masu Masu

There will also be a limited theme menu during the exhibition. In conjunction with the exhibition, the coffee shop Edocco Cafe Masu Masu (located at the Edo Culture Complex on the grounds of the shrine) also announced on launching four themed light snack dishes.

Like the matcha flavored shaved ice (kakigori), "Tonari no Kakigori", referencing to My Neighbour Totoro (Tonari no Totoro).
Notice the chocolate acorns and the leaf-shaped chocolate topping?

Spirited Away fans should be able to recognize the second one. The "Hakumai no Onigiri" ("Hakumai" meaning white rice, rice balls) are a take on the rice balls that Haku gave Chihiro to give her strength and to keep her from fading away. They come in a set of three, one has no filling and is only seasoned with salt, where the other two are a surprise!

Lastly, it wouldn't be a homage to Studio Ghibli if you left out the famous soot balls! The appearance may set a few off, but it is just a black sesame rice ball so don't worry! If only there were eyes on the rice ball.

With so many Studio Ghibli fans both in and outside of Japan, you can expect this exhibition to be huge! Tickets are sold at the door but you can also get yours ahead of time here (site in Japanese sadly). If you are planning on being in Tokyo between April 20th～May 12, you may want to add this to your list of places to visit.

●Toshio Suzuki and Studio Ghibli Exhibition (鈴木敏夫とジブリ展)
Venue: EDOCCO Edo Culture Complex at Kanda Myoujin Shrine
Google Maps
📅 April 20～May 12
⏰ 10am～6pm (last admission 5:30pm)

Image source: Fashion Press

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Basic Info

Name	Toshio Suzuki and Studio Ghibli Exhibition (鈴木敏夫とジブリ展)
Address	2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Station	Ochanomizu Station or Suehirocho Station
Website	https://ghibli-suzuki.com/