``Musashino Udon'', which director Hayao Miyazaki also ate, and a walk around the stage of ``Spirited Away''

Did you know? In the animated film ``Spirited Away'' directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the world that Chihiro wanders into is located in the ``Edo-Tokyo Architectural Garden'' in Koganei City, Tokyo. We will introduce the five spots that served as models and the Musashino udon that director Miyazaki also ate.

Let's take a walk around the 5 spots where Chihiro was.

1. Who made Chihiro's parents become 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 large plate of food and turn into pigs.

Kagiya is an izakaya that originally operated on Kotoi Dori in Shimotani, Taito Ward, Tokyo since the end of the Edo period. Chihiro's parents ate the large plates of food lined up on the counter without permission and were turned into pigs. This is the place where Chihiro's story begins.

2. Who did Chihiro work under the name Sen? ~ Kobayu East Zone E4 ~

Due to Haku's request to Yubaba, Chihiro loses her original name, Chihiro, and begins working at an oil shop under the new name Sen.

One of the models of ``Aburaya'' is ``Kodakarayu''. The scene of ``Aburaya'' where Yaoyorozu Gods gather is modeled after the bathtub and washing area of ​​``Kodakarayu''. Studio Ghibli's official website also states that it was "inspired."

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

This shelf is the model for the scene of Kamaji in the ``Aburaya'' shop, where he moves his long spider-like hands and pulls out medicinal herbs. This is the inside of Takei Sanseido, a stationery store founded in the early Meiji era in Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The shelves were stocked with calligraphy supplies.

4. Who jumped in after Haku was hurt? ~Takahashi Korekiyo Residence Center Zone E3~

The scene where Haku jumps into the window where Chihiro is, battered and bruised, is modeled after the window on the second floor of the Takahashi Korekiyo residence. It is easily recognized by the unique design of the window frame. This building is also the place where Korekiyo Takahashi lost his life in the ``2.26 Incident'', a coup d'etat launched by young officers of the former Japanese Army in 1936.

5. Which train did you ride with Kaonashi? ~ Toden Type 7500 East Zone 28 ~

This is a model of the Kaibara Railway train that Chihiro rode on to meet Zeniba. Manufactured in 1962 (Showa 37), this is a streetcar that actually ran from Shibuya Station to Shinbashi and Kanda, and is a Toden train that was once operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The scene where Kaonashi and Chihiro are sitting was born from this.

``Musashino Udon'' that director Miyazaki also ate

For lunch, we recommend ``Tabemonodokoro Kura'' located in the ``East Zone'' of ``Edo-Tokyo Architectural Museum''.

Director Hayao Miyazaki is said to have eaten ``Musashino udon'' here. Inside the store, director Miyazaki's illustrations and autographs are also displayed on frames.

``Musashino Udon'' uses buckwheat flour for flouring. The appeal of Musashino Udon is that you can enjoy the flavors of both udon and soba. As toppings, add blanched strips of radish, wakame seaweed, and green onions to the udon noodles on a separate plate. The soup is so delicious that you want to drink it all.

When you visit the Edo-Tokyo Architectural Garden, you can experience the animated world of Spirited Away. Be sure to try the ``Musashino Udon'' that director Miyazaki also tasted.

INFORMATION