Hayao Miyazaki designed inn to open in June

by Chris MaGee

Apparently anime master Hayao Miyazaki did more than scout locations for "Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea" during his stay in 2005 in a town called Tomonoura. Members of a local not-for-profit organization had purchased an old Edo era house in the port town south of Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture and had plans to renovate it and turn it into a ryokan (Japanese inn). When the director of such beloved films as "My Neighbour Totoro" and "Spirited Away" caught wind of the plan he asked if he could be involved. The end result is Onfunayado Iroha, a ryokan opening this coming month designed by Miyazaki that includes stained glass windows and traditional stone baths. He even chose the name of the ryokan which is made up of the kanji for "sailor inn" and "alphabet". There's no word if the inn is haunted by soot sprites though.

So, for all of you Miyazaki fans who secretly desired that you could walk inside one of his films here's you chance. Head over to Ghibli World to take the full tour.