Danica Davidson
November 4, 2020 
Hayao Miyazaki and the city of Tokorozawa have a special relationship. Miyazaki has said, “If we didn’t live in Tokorozawa, Totoro would never have been born” and points to Saitama Hills being his Muse for Totoro. (In fact, sometimes Saitama Hills is called “Totoro’s Forest.”)
As a thank-you for all the Totoro tourism and the honor of being immortalized by Studio Ghibli, Tokorozawa’s train station is now playing different music from the movie. Here’s an example in real time:
https://twitter.com/loveseibutochan/status/1323516555519381504
Here’s a video that doesn’t show it in real time, but offers up the different music you can hear at the train station.
11/3変更、所沢駅発車メロディ。
映画となりのトトロの主題歌をテーマにしており、リズムカルな曲調が特徴的です。
※abcは私が勝手に名付けただけなのであまり気にしないでください pic.twitter.com/ZU6ZU2MZH6— 東京快速 (@TokyoRapidTrain) November 3, 2020
According to SoraNews24, doing this in train stations is also in line with Hayao Miyazaki’s love of taking care of the planet, because it encourages public transportation.
And Tokorozawa is just getting started. Before 2020 is over, they’re supposed to have a Totoro statue at their train station as well.
Source: SoraNews24
____
Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, and its sequel, Manga Art for Intermediates, with professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
