Welcome to the Totoro Catbus Spot

Hello there, fellow travelers! This is Aikero, a writer for SaruKuma, your guide to hidden gems across Kumamoto.

Today I’m taking you to a magical little corner of Masunaga in Arao City, home to the wonderful 【Totoro Catbus】 spot.
Just a 10-minute drive from the Goldfish & Koi Park in Nagasu Town, you’ll find this irresistibly cute spot tucked along National Route 389.

It’s a tiny world inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film “My Neighbor Totoro.”
What makes it truly special? Every figurine, the bus stop, and even the rest area were lovingly handcrafted by the local volunteer group “Makasen-kai” of the Minami-Masunaga district! It’s a heartwarming place where both kids and adults can step into the Totoro universe and feel completely at peace.

【Goldfish & Koi Park】A Fun-Filled Park with Water Play! 《Nagasu Town, Tamana District》

【holoholo – Nagasu Town, Tamana District】A New Cafeteria at the Goldfish & Koi Park!

Free parking is available! Just enter the grounds past the blue Medium Totoro and you’ll find the parking area.
The road outside is busy, so please park in the lot rather than on the street.
The path to the parking area is a little narrow, so do drive slowly and watch out for other visitors.
When leaving, you’ll exit via a different route from the one you entered, so please follow the marked path.
This rest area was also built entirely from scratch by the local community.
The wooden tables are decorated with beautifully wood-burned scenes from the Totoro film.
“We made these too, you know!” said a friendly local who was there enjoying the cherry blossoms.
“Where did you come from? Leave us a message!” they invited us warmly.
Reading and writing little messages like these is one of my favorite travel pastimes.
My kids got right to it, scribbling away happily.
When you visit, why not leave a message of your own? ♪

Highlights of the Totoro Catbus Spot

The bus stop is visible right from the road.
“Next stop: Shichikoku-yama!” — just like in the movie!
Right next to it, you’ll spot Satsuki, Mei, Kanta’s grandmother, and the Totoros themselves!
Though crafted from recycled materials, the figures are surprisingly realistic and full of charm.
There’s even a yellow umbrella (just out of frame), showing how much attention to detail went into this scene.
And right beside them — the Catbus!
While you can’t actually ride it, you can definitely recreate that iconic scene for the perfect photo.

Since this area sits right alongside a main road, please hold your children’s hands and stay alert while taking photos and exploring.
…You might also spot a few characters from completely different worlds hanging out here too. (laughs)
Right beside the rest area is a traditional Japanese well!
Anyone who watched Totoro as a kid probably dreamed of pumping water from one of these.
Pro tip: you’ll need to add a bit of priming water with the ladle first, otherwise nothing will come out.
Once you do, real water flows — and the kids absolutely loved playing with it!
The handmade swing is just too adorable.
Little Totoro touches are scattered everywhere, making it pure heaven for any Studio Ghibli fan.
You can really feel the warmth and care the local community has poured into this Totoro spot.
It’s compact in size, which makes it the perfect quick stop on a road trip through Kumamoto.
When we visited, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom — a lovely bonus!

This Totoro wonderland brings back a wave of nostalgia for anyone who grew up watching Ghibli films.
Kids and adults alike will fall in love with the chance to meet Totoro and the Catbus in person ♪

【Goldfish & Koi Park】A Fun-Filled Park with Water Play! 《Nagasu Town, Tamana District》

【holoholo – Nagasu Town, Tamana District】A New Cafeteria at the Goldfish & Koi Park!

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the visit. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before your trip.