NextSharkNextShark.com

Cedar tree in Japan bears uncanny resemblance to Totoro from Studio Ghibli’s ‘My Neighbor Totoro’

Cedar tree in Japan bears uncanny resemblance to Totoro from Studio Ghibli’s ‘My Neighbor Totoro’

A “double-eared” cedar tree in Japan has been gaining a following thanks to its striking resemblance to the cuddly forest spirit Totoro.

May 26, 2022
SHARE
A “double-eared” cedar tree in Japan has been gaining a strong following online thanks to its striking resemblance to the ever-so-cuddly forest spirit Totoro, a character from Studio Ghibli’s 1988 film “My Neighbor Totoro.”
Kosugi no Osugi (The Great Cedar of Kosugi), affectionately known by locals and visitors as the Totoro Tree, is 20 meters (approximately 65.62 feet) tall and can be found in the rural town of Sakegawa in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
Japanese photographer Yamadayama tweeted a picture of the famous cedar tree on Friday and wrote, “There was a forest where it looks like you can meet Totoro.”
View post on Twitter
Subscribe to
NextShark's Newsletter

A daily dose of Asian America's essential stories, in under 5 minutes.

Get our collection of Asian America's most essential stories to your inbox daily for free.

Unsure? Check out our Newsletter Archive.

While the Totoro Tree has reportedly been around for almost 1,000 years, it only became widely known online in 2020. People began visiting Sakegawa to get a glimpse of the massive cedar tree, with some fans even recreating the iconic umbrella scene from “My Neighbor Totoro” while standing next to  it.
View post on Twitter
In September 2020, SankeiBiz posted a timelapse video of the tree that highlights its uncanny resemblance to Totoro, which becomes even more apparent at night.
A report from the same year claimed that the tree’s appearance has changed slightly due to the growth of a third prong. Residents have asked for the tree to be trimmed to maintain its Totoro-like appearance, but the local government explained that it is considered sacred, especially by those who practice the indigenous Shinto religion.
The recent revival of interest in the Totoro Tree is perfect timing as Studio Ghibli’s beloved film, directed by legendary director Hayao Miyazaki, is getting a London stage play adaptation with Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi as its producer.
 
Featured Image via SankeiNews
MOST READ
    HAPPENING NOW
      Bryan Ke

      Bryan Ke is a Reporter for NextShark

      SHARE THIS ARTICLE:

      RELATED STORIES FROM NEXTSHARK

      Support
      NextShark's
      Journalism

      Many people might not know this, but NextShark is a small media startup that runs on no outside funding or loans, and with no paywalls or subscription fees, we rely on help from our community and readers like you.

      Everything you see today is built by Asians, for Asians to help amplify our voices globally and support each other. However, we still face many difficulties in our industry because of our commitment to accessible and informational Asian news coverage.

      We hope you consider making a contribution to NextShark so we can continue to provide you quality journalism that informs, educates, and inspires the Asian community. Even a $1 contribution goes a long way. Thank you for supporting NextShark and our community.

      © 2023 NextShark, Inc. All rights reserved.