Miyazaki Hayao (宮崎駿) creates mesmerizing worlds for each of his animation. He maybe the God of creativity, but still he gets inspired from the real world. In fact, there are a list of possible inspirations, or at least a related motif resembling his works.
Valley of the Winds, Northern Territory
Mount Olga, or Kata Tjuta (meaning ‘many heads’ in aboriginal language) is a domed rock formation, sharing the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with the famous Ayers Rock.
Rumor claims that ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ takes reference from the landscape. Actually from some shots of the opening song, you can see some graphics mimicking the aboriginals’ cave drawings.
The area is considered as sacred among the aboriginals, do not take away any sand/stones and follow the assigned route. And it’s recommended to stay >1 m away from the edge as natural erosions occur any sec.
Being called ‘Valley of the Winds’, the temperature varies at different parts. The shade with wind is quite chilly, while others can give you heat stroke. Someone died from heart attack as he jumped from deep heat into a freezing pond. I put my legs inside a small pond in the park, ended up screaming as it was FULL OF LEECHES!
Flinders Street Station/Tram, Melbourne
Flinders Street Station is the biggest railway station of Melbourne, located right at the city center along Yarra River. The building in art nouveau style is more than 100 years old and is registered as a heritage of the state.
Rumor claims that ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ takes reference from the metropolitan area of Melbourne, including the mixing of old and new buildings, clock towers and tram systems.
Being the most livable city for years, Melbourne perfectly balances the city and the green, the heritage and the moderns. Right opposite the station, you can find Federation Square and St. Paul’s Cathedral in Gothic style; just a few steps forward, there are Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria. A few streets parallel to that, you can reach the famous Crown Casino. All within walking distance along the dockside.
The Melbourne General Post Office has a historical clock tower as well, and surprisingly this heritage is currently rented by H&M. Shouldn’t miss the chance of putting on the cheapest fast-fashion nowadays, with a taste of 18th century.
And yeah, the tram. Many cities have trams, but the City Circle trams really look exactly like the ones in Kiki’s. And the best thing is, it’s FREE!
Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road
Some says it looks like one of the beach in ‘Porco Rosso’. I think other nominations look way more similar, but the Great Ocean Road is still a must-go if you are not suffering from carsick.
Cityscape, Tasmania
I’m not so sure about these two, as there are no landmarks or exact evidence. Rumor claims that the city of ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ has similarities to Hobart and Launceston in Tasmania. Let’s see.
I didn’t take photo of Launceston Clock Tower, but the cityscape does kinda look like the one in Kiki’s, I mean the whole atmosphere?
It looks like the scene where Kiki wakes up on the train and looks at the city far away.
For Hobart… ummm… yes it’s a nice cozy town by the sea, but I couldn’t see anything reminding me of Kiki’s…
Maybe only the witchery ceremony that I witnessed, at Salamanca (Hobart centre)?
Norms & Weirdos 