Japan’s official Studio Ghibli retailer, Donguri Kyowakoku, is a great place to pick up gifts inspired by the classic animations. They often release merchandise made specifically for certain occasions, and Mother’s Day is no exception.

Every year they release a gift set inspired by a memorable scene from ‘My Neighbor Totoro’, one of their most beloved films.

When Mei and Satsuki’s mother is sick in hospital, Mei sets off on her own to give her mother an ear of corn that they picked. Despite getting lost and even having to defend her precious gift from a goat, she carefully guards it. Eventually after being rescued, Mei and her sister quietly place the corn on the hospital room's window sill for their mother to find.

It’s the perfect scene demonstrating filial love to be inspired by on Mother’s Day. Donguri Kyowakoku’s corn set is made to look as close to the movie corn as possible, in size and design. It has ‘to mother’ written on it, just like Mei’s gift.

The presents inside are different every year, and this time around it’s some handy kitchen goods.

There’s an oven mitten which has adorable Totoro motifs and a corn-inspired colour scheme.

In keeping with the sentiment of the original scene, the label says ‘arigato’, meaning thank you.

The other offering included in the set is a magnet to easily hang up the oven mitten on. It carries on the corn theme and has some cute mini Totoros included in the design.

The whole collection including the corn wrapping costs 3000 yen and it will go on sale from 16th April 2022 in branches of Donguri Kyowakoku. It can also be currently preordered on their online shop.


By - grape Japan editorial staff.