Nukumori no Mori ・ 5 Reasons to Visit This Japanese Ghibli-Style Destination, Rain or Shine
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A quaint cafe, adorable owls, and amazing architecture are all yours to discover in Shizuoka’s Nukumori no Mori.
With a name that translates loosely to "Cozy Forest," it's no wonder Nukumori no Mori (ぬくもりの森) is a charming destination any day―bright and sunny, or rainy and overcast (like most days during Japan's rainy season)! Built by architect Shigeyoshi Sasaki starting in the 80s, Nukumori no Mori is now a little collection of buildings big and small surrounded by trees, which all looks a little like a European village out of a fairytale. The designs may not be taken directly from Miyazaki's sketches, but because of the shared inspiration, we can see why Nukumori no Mori reminds lots of people of Ghibli movies.
Found in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, it may seem a bit off the beaten path, but Hamamatsu is actually easily accessible on the shinkansen. Read more about our whole trip there last spring, right here!
Old-fashioned European masonry, Gaudi-inspired plasterwork, greenery in every direction and nothing created without specific intent, Shigeyoshi Sasaki and the illustrators of Studio Ghibli take advantage of similar imagery to create magical spaces that feel like another world. Wandering through Nukumori no Mori, it's not hard to pretend you're Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle, and they've included a little nod to the frequent comparison by setting up a pretend bus stop sign modeled after the one in My Neighbor Totoro.
Inside the park, among the cluster of small huts selling trinkets and accessories, is a little owl cottage! A bit like the cat cafes scattered around Japan, inside you'll find over a dozen different owls, all shapes and sizes. For just 1,000 yen you can spend a while with the birds, admiring them up close and giving the friendlier ones gentle head pats.
Before Nukumori no Mori became a public attraction, the main buildings were once the private houses of Sasaki and his family. Now, they're home to a bakery and a fascinating cafe. Hallways like carved cave tunnels, reading areas with wooden trees and comfy cushions, terrace seating like an Italian villa, you could easily spend hours just sipping coffee, snacking on the cafe food, and exploring.
Cute leather goods and accessories, fragrant essential oils, little knickknacks and decorative objects galore―the fun of shopping at Nukumori no Mori comes from both the products themselves, and the time you can spend wandering all the rooms and spaces.
It should be obvious by now, but everywhere you look within Nukumori no Mori is another place you want to take a picture―and they make it even better by including little Easter eggs like this heart-shape in the railing. Dress up as Castle in the Sky's Sheeta and Pazu and pretend you're on Laputa, make it a fashion shoot up against the scenic stone walls, or just snap some insta-bae shots around the cafe for instagram!
So, have we convinced you? Thinking about visiting Nukumori no Mori on your next trip through central Japan? Let us know on the Japankuru twitter, instagram, and facebook! We'd love to answer any questions and help you plan your trip.
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NAME:Nukumori no Mori (ぬくもりの森)
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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