top of page
Inside Totoro’s Forest: The Place That Inspired Ghibli’s World
Japan is renowned for many cultural exports, but few have captured global imagination quite like its animation. At the heart of this legacy lies Studio Ghibli—an iconic name familiar to fans worldwide. With masterpieces like the Oscar-winning Spirited Away , the studio has redefined animated storytelling, proving that animation has the power not only to delight people but also to inspire and move them. Among those masterpieces is My Neighbor Totoro , a film from 1988. Set in

Laksmi Wijayanti
Nov 75 min read


Recent Posts


Survival Against the Tide: The Story of the Ainu and Ryukyuan Indigenous Languages
Growing up in a small town in Indonesia, famously known for its diversity of dialects—over 700, at least—being immersed in a multilingual...

Laksmi Wijayanti
Feb 74 min read


Threads of Tradition: The Ainu History and the Art of Tattooing
When I moved to Japan about 8 years ago to start graduate school in Tokyo, I was acutely aware of the general attitude towards tattoos in...

Laksmi Wijayanti
Nov 15, 20243 min read


Tokyo Station: The Heart of Japan’s Railway Network Is More Than What You Think
Japan's storied rail network is renowned worldwide for its punctuality, safety, and innovations in train technology—this is the country...

Karune
Oct 18, 20244 min read


Himeji Castle: Visiting the White Heron of Japan’s Castles
Throughout the history of Japan, thousands of castles have come and gone. While every castle has a unique look and a storied past, one...

Jordan
Apr 24, 20246 min read


What is Hanami? The History of Cherry Blossoms and How I Enjoy them Today
Japan's cherry blossoms, also known as "sakura," are a rare and enchanting sight that only lasts roughly two weeks. However, Sakura's...

Kristina
Feb 29, 20245 min read


Hiroshima Today: Exploring the Unseen Sides of the Prefecture
Hiroshima stands as an incredible testament to human resilience and community spirit. It suffered one of history's most horrific events,...

Kristina
Feb 14, 20244 min read
bottom of page