Here are some of my off-the-beaten-path recommendations for Totoro lovers visiting Japan.
Kurosuke’s House
Go to the house from the movie My Neighbor Totoro! Totoro is an animation so the house isn’t REAL, but you can visit a 100 year old Japanese home that served as the inspiration for the house in Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro. You can also visit the surrounding Sayama Hills, and see many real-life scenes from the movie, My Neighbor Totoro.
Kurosuke refers to the black soot sprites in the movie My Neighbor Totoro, and if you look carefully, you can find a few in this house!
More info on visiting Kurosuke’s house and Totoro Forest:
http://www.totoro.or.jp/english.html
http://www.bring-you.info/totoro-forest#.WD2GfaJ96Rs
In Japanese: http://www.totoro.or.jp
Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory
At the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, you may be disappointed that they don’t serve Totoro-themed desserts. Fear not! If you go to Shiro-hige’s Cream Puff Factory in Setagayadaita, you can eat this adorable and tasty Totora-Themed dessert!
Website: http://www.shiro-hige.com