Mitaka-shi

This place is quite extraordinary. Every detail of the uniquely shaped building references details of Miyazaki's films and interests. There are stained glass windows with characters from Kiki, Ponyo, Totaro and all the favourites. There are spiral staircases and corridors joining rooms showcasing the history and techniques of animation, and the painstaking but beautiful (mindful) process from concept to film. You can't take photos in the museum so not much to show. We all spent an enjoyable morning, but felt the weeks of travel catching up on us and so we retired early to the hostel. We mooched around until early evening then joined a tea tasting with the hostel staff. We tried cherry blossom tea (a New Year special), konbu, green tea, sencha (the high quality leaves) and finally matcha (powder made from the bright green young leaves especially grown under a shade cloth to preserve their youth and tenderness.Read more