Aichi Prefecture Slow Travel | Niche Attractions You Must Visit

Japan has many theme parks, and in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, there is an animation kingdom - Ghibli Park. Young people born in the 80s and 90s probably all know about Ghibli. Even if the name is a bit unfamiliar, seeing its Totoro logo will definitely remind you of who it is. Hayao Miyazaki's animations accompanied my student days and are filled with youthful memories. Ghibli Park Travel Tips Transportation: Take the subway Higashiyama Line from Nagoya Station to Fujigaoka Station, then transfer to the Linimo Line to Aichikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station. The park is just a short walk from there. Or take a direct bus to Ghibli Park from the Meitetsu Bus Center and other major hubs. Tickets: Tickets can be purchased through the official website or authorized online channels. General admission tickets are usually sold two months in advance and are very difficult to get. Famous Sake Brand [Shiraoi]: At Sawada Shuzo, you can make a reservation for their sake tasting experience. Not only will there be a dedicated person to explain the history of sake, but you can also visit the sake brewing process and finally taste different sakes. If you like, you can purchase them. During the tasting session, appetizers are thoughtfully prepared for visitors, and different sakes are served in different porcelain cups, which are specially made in the Tokoname area. [AEON Mall Tokoname]: The architecture here is very retro, and the most eye-catching is the giant Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) - Tofuku - located in the center of the lobby. As a large shopping mall, there is a wide variety of shops here, and you can find almost everything you want to buy. Plus, it's only one stop away from the airport, making it perfect for picking up some last-minute souvenirs before heading to the airport. [Tokoname Ceramic Ware Road]: Here's another giant Maneki-neko! Let's take a picture together! Stroll along Tokoname Ceramic Ware Road. As the hometown of Maneki-neko, cute Maneki-neko elements can be seen everywhere. You'll also find several small Maneki-nekos in various shapes, making me feel like I've entered a miniature world of beckoning cats. It's very interesting. On Tokoname Ceramic Ware Road, there are many unique ceramic shops run by artists, as well as traditional old-style pottery shops. Everything is made by the shop owners themselves, and each piece is unique and worth collecting. [World Tile Museum]: On Tokoname Ceramic Ware Road, there is also a novel and unique World Tile Museum, which was a surprising discovery on this trip. What impressed me the most was that there are over a thousand representative tiles collected and displayed here, which is quite spectacular. I also experienced "tile pasting" and made a photo frame with small tiles representing the colors of autumn as a souvenir of this autumn trip. The museum has six themed areas where you can not only learn about the history and charm of ceramics but also experience other hands-on projects. [Chubu Centrair International Airport]: It's very close from Tokoname to Chubu Centrair International Airport. Be sure to check out the Flight of Dreams themed area located in Terminal 1. A Boeing 787 is parked here, and visitors can enter the aircraft to take photos and learn about related knowledge. It's very suitable for families with children. There is also a dedicated children's play area below the plane. If you want to free up your hands and entertain your kids, come here! There's also an airplane viewing platform. I must come and experience it next time I have enough time.