From the moment I walked into the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, it felt like going back to my childhood memories of watching animated movies. Familiar scenes and characters from My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away appeared right before my eyes, and I couldn't help constantly looking for all the little details hidden in the corners. As a child, I watched these stories, but coming here as an adult made me realize that the scenes I loved have stayed in my memory all along.
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka | Review by Gina C
Other Reviews by Gina C
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Chicken Ramen Donburi
Chicken Ramen, the once-bagged variety now comes in a cup. It features a light and clean flavor derived from all-original chicken stock and roasted soy sauce. The taste is rich and smooth, featuring fluffy heaps of eggs as its main topping.
Cook a bowl of the original Chicken Ramen and add some cabbage and an egg—it’s simple and just right. The aroma of the chicken broth goes well with the light sweetness of the vegetables, and it still has that familiar taste. I’ve been eating it since I was little, and even after all these years, an occasional bowl still hits the spot. That’s how good food is—it doesn’t need many changes. The classic flavor is always there.
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Ameyoko Shopping Street
The Ameyoko Shopping Street, affectionately known as "Ameyoko," stretches approximately 500m between JR Ueno Station and JR Okachimachi Station, with around 400 shops lining the street. It features a variety of businesses, including food and confectionery, clothing, general goods, and jewelry stores.
Ameyoko is really great for shopping for cosmetics and over-the-counter products, with lots of stores and a wide selection. OS Drug often has very attractive prices, but keep in mind that it doesn't offer tax-free shopping and only accepts cash. Niki no Kashi is great for buying souvenirs—you can stock up on cookies, candy, and snacks all at once, and it's easy to end up buying a whole bagful without realizing it. Shopping at Ameyoko is really convenient!
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Inokashira Park
Inokashira Park, stretching across Musashino City and Mitaka City in Tokyo, opened in 1917 as the first imperial gift park in Japan, and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017.
The trees in Inokashira Park are truly beautiful. Sunlight filters through the leaves, and walking through the woods feels especially pleasant. This time, I brought a cake here especially for a picnic and found a spot under a tree. Sitting there, eating cake, feeling the breeze, and looking at the greenery in front of me was simple and relaxing. Having an afternoon like this while traveling is also a very happy thing.
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