Destination 1: Shichikokuyama-gyo

We're passing through Shichikokuyama-gyo now. This is a place of many camphor trees and forest spirits. Ya know, there is a very classic and nostalgic movie about this place...

Tonari no Totoro

This movie is about two young girls, Satsuke and her younger sister Mei. Along with their father, they move into a house in the country with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother. Satsuke and Mei discover that the nearby forest is inhabited by forest spirits called Totoros They soon befriend these Totoros, and have several magical adventures.

There! There they are! I don't know if you can see them, as they are only visible to children.

The big grey guy is O Totoro, the medium-sized blue guy is Chu Totoro, and the little white guys are Chibi Totoros. Chibis can become invisible if they wish to. The older girl is Satsuki, and the younger girl is Mei.
Other creatures include the susuwatari. They're "soot sprites/dust bunnies". We probably won't see them here, though we definitely will spot them at a future destination.

So have fun and look around. There's lots to see...

Anyways, we will *hopefully* arrive at at least 4 destinations a week, though due to traffic and weather, things may get delayed. Take it easy on the Catbus, will ya? There will be days that I do my "tour guide" "job" efficiently, days I do it superbly, and days I'm too lazy to do anything. Those day's there might just be some pretty scenery you can look at while I snooze. So, one destination at a time.......

Catching the Catbus

Keep Calm and Catch the Catbus.
What is the Catbus, you ask? Well it is a marvelously large cat. that just happens to be a bus. One of Studio Ghibli's awesome creations, the Catbus, more commonly known as the Nekobasu, is a friend of the better known Totoro.

The bus-like cat is the Nekobasu. The big, happy, furry, grey guy is Totoro.

So, back to the opening statement. Keep Calm and Catch the Catbus. If you decide to take my advice, you will take a *metaphorical* ride on the Catbus. On your ride, you will pass many adorable, brave, courageous, and awesome Studio Ghibli Characters. So what are you waiting for?
 It's time to take the Catbus.

I, Kimberly Chan, will be your...er... "tour guide". I am a hardcore Ghibli fan, and will guide you through many of the exquisite delights of Studio Ghibli. So you can just take a seat. Where, you ask? Anywhere. Just take a seat, I swear, You'll be comfortable wherever you sit. It's quite fluffy, see...


Feel free to ask questions and comment. I look forward to our ride...