【公式】宮崎県高千穂のリサーチ前編（2013年5月24日OA）｜ゴリパラ見聞録

We made a detour to find Totoro's Bus Stop in Saiki City, Oita. It's a charming spot where Totoro characters are placed, making it feel like you've stepped into the movie. Even though Totoro himself didn't show up, it's a really fancy and fun place for photos. We took pictures with the Totoro statue and even got to ride the Cat Bus replica, which was a blast even for us middle-aged men. It's a must-visit if you're in the area and a fan of Studio Ghibli.

For dinner, we headed to Tonchan, an izakaya in Nobeoka City recommended by our hotel. We started with a local Benikintoki potato shochu called Ryouten, which was surprisingly refreshing and delicious. Then came the food: charcoal-grilled free-range chicken, which was incredibly yummy, and an assorted sashimi platter with super fresh, sweet, and chewy squid that was still moving! We also had tender Teppanyaki Miyazaki beef. The portions were generous, and it felt a bit luxurious, but it was all fantastic. I definitely kept eating even after saying I'd stop!