Trip to Laputa(Like)
Have you ever seen Studio Ghibli’s ‘LAPUTA: Castle in the Sky’?
There is an island which became the inspiration for Laputa. The name of that island is Tomogashima.
Here, there is a strategy base made during the Second World War, about 70 years ago. There’s a trench and also a big brick fort! Lots of people visit this island every year, as it looks the same as it did during the war.
So, this article will be all about this island, Tomogashima.
I left the house at 5am, travelled to Wakayama prefecture, took a train to a village on the island.
My Hobbit travel bag
The ship to Wakayama Prefecture
In Japanese way!
Another boat… the journey to Laputa is very long. Ghibli fans? Lots of them visit this island every year.
And arrival.
The historical red trench is covered in lots of moss.
The small island square
As I went around the island, I realised the reason that Hayao Miyazaki chose this place.
There are still natural traces of the war left all over this place, both the war and the people that were once here.
I think this is what Hayao Miyazaki felt when he came here.
When I returned from the island, I had Tatami mats and a Futon waiting for me at the inn.
And that’s the Japanese summer! Let’s go Tomogashima!
