Film by Hayao Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli set in Muromachi-period Japan (14th–16th centuries). For the struggle between the iron-making civilisation and the forest gods, the team drew on real places: Yakushima's primeval forests (the Forest Spirit's woods), the Shirakami beech forests (Ashitaka's Emishi village) and Izumo's tatara ironworks (Iron Town).
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Shiratani Unsuikyō Ravine — The Forest of Princess Mononokelocation scouting
model / inspiration
In May and July 1995, Ghibli took its art, animation and CG staff to Yakushima to scout locations for the Forest Spirit's woods, and Shiratani Unsuikyō was one of the key spots. Its moss-covered rocks and trees recall, for example, the scene where Okkoto walks bloodied through the forest.
Source & evidence
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Taikoiwa — the view from Moro's denresemblance
model / inspiration · unconfirmed identification
This large rock at the top of the Shiratani Unsuikyō trail offers a view over the valley, with the river ahead, that local guides compare to the view from Moro's den. It is a resemblance, not a confirmed model.
Source & evidence
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Jōmon Sugi — The Oldest Cedar in Japanassociated
model / inspiration · unconfirmed identification
Yakushima's most famous cedar, between 2,000 and 7,200 years old depending on the estimate. It is associated with the film because it stands on the island where Ghibli scouted locations, although no specific scene is based on it.
Source & evidence
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Sugaya Tatara Sannai — Iron Townmodel
model / inspiration
Shimane's official tourism board presents this old tatara ironworking settlement as the model for Lady Eboshi's Iron Town. It keeps the only surviving takadono (tatara furnace hall) in Japan, an Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property.
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Mitsumine Shrine — the sacred wolvesfan association
tribute
A shrine in the Chichibu mountains that venerates wolves as divine messengers, with wolf statues instead of guardian dogs. That is why it is associated with Moro, the wolf goddess; it has no official link to the film.
Source & evidence
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Shirakami-Sanchi — the Emishi villagelocation scouting
model / inspiration
Art director Kazuo Oga explored these virgin beech forests, a World Heritage Site, in 1995 to paint the hidden Emishi village in the far north, where Ashitaka lives at the start of the film.
Source & evidence
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Ghibli Park — Mononoke VillageIrontown
official attraction
An outdoor area of Ghibli Park inspired by the Tatara (Irontown) village of Princess Mononoke, with a huge sculpture of the boar god Okkoto and the Tatarigami you can walk through, and a charcoal-hut rest area serving gohei-mochi. It evokes the film's ironworking village.
Source & evidence
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