"Musashino Udon" that Director Hayao Miyazaki also ate, and a stroll around the setting of "Spirited Away"

Did you know? The world that Chihiro wanders into in Hayao Miyazaki's animated film "Spirited Away" is located in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in Koganei, Tokyo. We'll introduce you to the five locations that inspired the film, as well as the Musashino Udon noodles that Miyazaki also ate

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Explore the five spots where Chihiro lived

Why did Chihiro's parents turn into pigs? ~Kagiya (Izakaya) East Zone E3~

The first is the restaurant that served as the model for the scene at the beginning of the story where the parents eat a platter of food and turn into pigs. Kagiya is an izakaya that was originally in business on Kototoi-dori Street in Shitaya, Taito Ward, Tokyo, from the end of the Edo period

Chihiro's parents were turned into pigs after eating the platters of food lined up on the counter here without permission. This is the place where Chihiro's story begins

Where did Chihiro work under the name "Sen"? ~Kodakarayu East Zone E4~

Thanks to Haku's request to Yubaba, Chihiro loses her original name, Chihiro, and begins working at the "Aburaya" bathhouse under the new name, Sen. One of the models for this "Aburaya" bathhouse is the "Kodakara-yu" bathhouse

The "Aburaya" scene, where the eight million gods gather, was modeled after the baths and washing area of ​​the "Kodomoyu" bathhouse. Studio Ghibli's official website also states that it was "inspired by" this

Where does Kamaji work? ~Takei Sanseido (stationery store) East Zone E6~

The scene in "Aburaya" where Kamaji moves his long spider-like arms to extract medicinal herbs was modeled after this shelf. The interior of "Takei Sanseido," a stationery store founded in the early Meiji period in Kanda, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, was stocked with calligraphy supplies

Who rushed in after Haku was injured? ~Takahashi Korekiyo Residence Center Zone E3~

The scene in which Haku, badly injured, jumps into the window where Chihiro is standing is modeled after a second-floor window in the Takahashi Korekiyo Residence. The unique design of the window frame makes it easy to recognize. This building is also the place where Takahashi Korekiyo lost his life in the February 26 Incident, a coup d'état launched by young officers of the Imperial Japanese Army in 1936 (Showa 11)

What train did No-Face ride on? ~Toden 7500 Series East Zone 28~

This is the model for the Unaihara Railway train that Chihiro rides to meet Zeniba. Manufactured in 1962 (Showa 37), this streetcar actually ran from Shibuya Station to Shinbashi and Kanda, and was formerly a "Toden" streetcar operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The scene where No-Face and Chihiro are sitting on it was inspired by this car

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Director Miyazaki also ate "Musashino Udon"

For lunch, we recommend "Tabemonodokoro Kura" in the "East Zone" of "Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum." Director Hayao Miyazaki is said to have had "Musashino Udon" here

Inside the store, framed illustrations and autographs of Director Miyazaki are also displayed

"Musashino Udon" uses buckwheat flour for the dusting. The appeal of "Musashino Udon" is that you can enjoy the flavors of both udon and soba. The noodles are topped with blanched, strip-cut daikon radish, wakame seaweed, and green onions, which are served on separate plates. The soup is so delicious that you'll want to drink it all

If you visit the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, you can experience the world of the animated film "Spirited Away." Be sure to try the Musashino Udon noodles that Director Miyazaki also enjoyed

Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum <Information>

• Name: Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
• Address: 3-7-1 Sakuracho, Koganei City, Tokyo 184-0005, Koganei Park
• Phone number: 042-388-3300
• Official URL: https://www.tatemonoen.jp/

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