Hayao Miyazaki's masterwork / Studio Ghibli. The highest-grossing film in Japanese history until 2020. Chihiro accidentally enters the spirit world and must work in a bathhouse to rescue her parents. The spirit world is a collage of real places in Japan — rather than a single location, it comprises overlapping artistic references.
-
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum — the acknowledged referenceacknowledged reference
model / inspiration
It is the place Studio Ghibli acknowledges as a major reference for the film. Among the buildings relocated here from all over Tokyo are the old Kodakara-yu bathhouse, whose roof and garden recall the Aburaya, and the Takei Sanshōdō stationery shop, whose drawers evoke Kamaji's boiler room.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Hotel Gajoen Tokyo (Meguro Gajoen) — the Aburaya interiorsaid to be a model
model / inspiration · unconfirmed identification
The lavish decoration of this 1931 hotel and wedding hall, with rooms covered in paintings from floor to ceiling, is said to have inspired the Aburaya interior. Ghibli has not confirmed it. The hotel has been temporarily closed since 1 October 2025.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Ghibli Museum — Mitaka, TokyoGhibli
dedicated museum
Not a direct filming location, but the ultimate Ghibli pilgrimage spot. Designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself, the museum features permanent exhibits on the creative process of Ghibli films, including original Chihiro sketches, storyboards, and a giant robot on the roof. Tickets sell out months in advance — booking far ahead is required.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Dōgo Onsen Honkan — the Aburaya exteriorart director's reference
model / inspiration
The film's art director, Yōji Takeshige, said Ghibli visited this historic Matsuyama bathhouse on a company trip and used it as a reference for the Aburaya's exterior. Miyazaki, for his part, says the Aburaya blends many onsen and has no single model.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Sekizenkan Ryokan — Shima Onsen, Gunmasaid to be a model
model / inspiration · unconfirmed identification
One of the ryokan said to have served as a reference for the Aburaya, without confirmation from Ghibli. The red bridge over the river at its entrance evokes the one Chihiro crosses, and its main building (1691) is among Japan's oldest wooden hot-spring buildings.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya Ryokan — Shibu Onsen, Naganosaid to be a model
model / inspiration · unconfirmed identification
A historic Shibu Onsen ryokan whose Saigetsurō building, a registered cultural property, is rumoured to be one of the Aburaya's models because of its look. Ghibli has not confirmed it.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Jiufen — Taiwannot an official model
model / inspiration · unconfirmed identification
The most famous place associated with the film: its sloping lanes with red lanterns strongly resemble the spirit town. Even so, Ghibli does not acknowledge it as a model, and Miyazaki has denied it.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Ghibli Park — Grand Warehouse (Spirited Away scenes)the Spirited Away recreation
official attraction
The Grand Warehouse, the large covered pavilion of Ghibli Park (Nagakute, Aichi, opened 2022), gathers film sets and exhibits, with a full-scale recreation of scenes from Spirited Away, such as the food stall where Chihiro's parents transform. It is not a scene from the film (a fictional spirit world) but the largest official recreation you can visit.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗