The Straw Hat Cafe

There was such an amazing feeling of welcoming and warmth at the Straw Hat Café.  It’s no wonder there was a wait.  Fortunately, we only had to wait a few minutes.  But this is the kind of place where it doesn’t matter if you have to wait for an hour or more.

It is so worth it.

The Straw Hat Café is the charming little restaurant that is a part of the Studio Ghibli Museum.  It reflects everything the museum is about.  It is-hands down-in my top five favorite restaurants.  Of all-time.

Let me explain why:

1)    It’s simple.  There are not many choices on the menu, but the choices that are there vary.  There is no stressing about what to order.  (They have menus in English.)

2)    They use organic and local goods.  Win.

3)    The prices are very reasonable.  Win again.

4)    Everything is homemade-even the ginger ale. 

5)    They serve drinks with straws made out of straw.  Awesome.

6)    The food was in-credibly delicious.

7)    The dessert wasn’t too sweet to finish.

8)    Everything was perfectly fresh.

9)    They serve food on Totoro and soot sprite plates.

10)  The service was the best I have ever had. Ever.

So there you go. If you are ever in Japan, pre-buy your tickets to the Studio Ghibli museum.  Explore an incredible place full of imagination.  Then eat at one of the most amazing restaurants in the world.

You will not be disappointed.

I promise.

Organic brown rice topped with a fried egg, curry, and fresh organic spring greens. YUM.

De-licious breaded pork sandwich.

Tasty. And a super cute plate.

The ah-mazing homemade organic ginger ale.

Best Strawberry Shortcake I have ever had.

Incredible chocolate sundae/parfait.

Dear Miyazaki

Dear Hayao Miyazaki,

Before going to your museum last Saturday, I read your vision for it.  You explain what you want your museum to be in such a caring way.  I am glad I took the time to read what you had to say before visiting.

As I entered the museum, I was welcomed by a sense of warmth.  Gentle light streamed through the stained glass windows, casting vibrant colors everywhere.  The murals climbed exquisitely up the walls to the ceiling.  I wanted to grab a hold and climb into the land of imagination.

It was like entering a home…not a museum.

Soot sprites were sprinkled everywhere, accompanying images of Totoro, who led the way down the staircase to one of the most amazing buildings in which I have been.  You have created a labyrinth of a museum.  Spiraling staircases, bridges, tiny doorways, uneven levels.  It is place to get lost and let your imagination run wild.  Your creativity and genius shine like a wise star through the entire building. 

What a delightful, welcoming and generous place you have created.

The interactivity of the exhibits made me feel like a child.  I twisted knobs, opened tiny doors and stared in wonder. 

Most inspiring was seeing the beginning of an idea in drawings and paintings I recognize from beloved films.  Set amidst a replica of your study…Books piled everywhere.  Models, gadgets and gizmos provoked curiosity.  Vivid colors spilled from tubes of paint to the countless paintings that cover the entire wall.  

Everywhere you looked, something was there to draw you in and release your imagination.

Miyazaki San, your creativity is a gift of inspiration. 

Thank you

Viewing the museum from outside.  It is almost entirely covered in greenery.

A creature form Castle in the Sky.  (Karl is 6' 2'' for scale.)

I have a confession to make...

I grew up really disliking anime.  There, I said it.  Please don’t hate me, Japan.

Fortunately, I was introduced to an amazing movie by a dear friend of mine.  That movie is called Spirited Away. 

The story is captivating.  The animation is wonderful.  The music is enchanting. 

I changed my mind.

I quickly learned all the movies by Hayao Miyazaki are incredible.  I also soon discovered that Karl really likes his movies as well.  So much so, that for his birthday this Saturday, we are going to visit the Studio Ghibli Museum.  The studio that produces all of Miyazaki’s films.

For those of you who have never seen a Miyazaki film, I strongly encourage you to go rent one and watch it.  Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle, Graveof the Fireflies, they are all good.

The stories are truly original.  They are born from the mind of a genius. Miyazaki’s movies are also an incredible way to learn about and study the Japanese language and culture. 

I liked the movies before moving to Japan.  Having lived here for a while now, they have become even better.  Every time I watch one again, I discover something I hadn’t noticed before.  And it’s fun to comprehend a bit more Japanese every time.  Hopefully someday I won’t need subtitles at all.

Back to studying I go!