Photos from left: Isaac Resureccion, Marek Piwnicki, jieun kim

I never grew up watching any Studio Ghibli movies. I only knew of Totoro and No-Face from seeing people get excited over themed merch, not realising they came from different films. I didn’t understand the hype then.

It wasn’t the animation or the storyline that drew me in later on. It was the feeling. That wholesome, nostalgic warmth that makes the ordinary feel a little more magical.

Certain real-life places seem to carry that same Ghibli-esque charm, as if they exist somewhere between dream and memory.

I’ve never been to these places myself, but I’ve gathered them from corners of the internet, where people spoke of them with the same tenderness and wonder that Studio Ghibli movies evoke.

For fans of movies like Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki, and Only Yesterday by Isao Takahata, here are some places in Malaysia with a Studio Ghibli vibe.

Places in Malaysia that remind you of Studio Ghibli

Hay Cafe, Sekinchan

Visit Hay Cafe for… a slow evening surrounded by endless green (or gold, depending on the season), where the wind hums through paddy fields and everything slows to the rhythm of the land.

Set right beside the fields, the cafe’s wide glass windows and open-air seating offer an unobstructed view of Sekinchan’s endless horizon – the kind of scene that feels almost still, yet full of life.

Even if you skip the cafe, Sekinchan itself is worth lingering in. The gentle hum of nature, the sway of rice stalks under soft clouds. It’s the sort of scenery that makes you breathe a little slower, the same way a Studio Ghibli movie does.

Pantai Mek Mas, Kota Bharu

Visit Pantai Mek Mas for… wandering the dunes at dusk, watching winds flirt with overgrown grasses, and letting time soften around you.

This stretch of sand dunes in Kelantan has become a visual darling among photographers. Heartpatrick describes it as “giving us Ghibli vibes” – not just for the dunes themselves, but for the wild vegetation that lends the landscape its dreamlike softness.

Even if you arrive expecting nothing special, the light changes everything here. A breeze, a wash of brown sand, a horizon just beyond reach – Pantai Mek Mas becomes one of those places where you pause, breath slows down, and the ordinary edges softly into something surreal.

Bukit Chabang Mari, Padang Besar

Visit Bukit Chabang Mari for… a serene farm landscape where goats wander, grasslands stretch between two hills, and the air tastes of earth.

Tourism Malaysia calls it “a whimsical view straight out of a Ghibli fantasy” – and it’s easy to see why. Open meadows, golden light, and the soft hum of countryside life give this spot its dreamlike calm.

Tucked away in a village near Padang Besar, Bukit Chabang Mari isn’t a polished tourist destination. It’s a place where time slows, where you can stand still for a while and watch life move gently around you.

Kilang Gula, Chuping

Visit Kilang Gula for… wandering in the glow of golden grass fields, where the horizon stretches wide and time feels like it’s paused just to watch the sky shift.

This place has become viral on TikTok for exactly that: the wind-stirred grass, the dusky tones, the way even simple fields can become cinematic under the right light. What was once just common roadside foliage now feels like something out of a dream.

It’s a place that slows you down, where the air feels still, and ordinary moments linger a little longer.

Haako Cafe & B&B, Langkap

Visit Haako for… a stay and a sip in the heart of Kampung Chui Chak surrounded by paddy fields that ripple with light.

This family-run cafe and B&B sits on the edge of a small village, overlooking paddy fields that shift in tone with every passing cloud. The cafe serves simple comfort food and local coffee, while the upstairs rooms offer a peaceful retreat far from city noise.

There’s a softness to the place – life here moves at its own calm rhythm. It’s easy to see why it feels straight out of a Ghibli film, much like Sekinchan.

Kireina Genting Villa & Cafe, Genting Highlands

Visit Kireina for… a Japanese-inspired retreat in the misty hills of Genting Highlands. The air is cool and fragrant with greenery, and the soft rustle of leaves accompanies the quiet hum of the hills.

The villa’s shoji-style windows, wooden interiors, and balconies overlooking lush greenery make feel like stepping into a scene from a Miyazaki film. Totoro statues peek from the gardens, and whimsical murals add small, unexpected delights at every turn.

For anyone chasing a Studio Ghibli vibe in Malaysia, Kireina captures that quiet, magical charm that makes the films so unforgettable.

Cafe Jufei, Kulai

Visit Cafe Jufei for… stepping into a cosy time capsule of nostalgia, where vintage toys, wooden windows, and shelves lined with well-loved books invite you to slow down.

Popular among locals and visitors from Singapore, this coffee shop captures the charm of a bygone era. Warm lighting, handcrafted coffees, and thoughtfully curated decor make it an inviting place to linger over a drink or snack.

The appeal is in the details – the collectibles, the retro furniture, and the comfortable atmosphere that makes you want to stay just a little longer.

The Farm Foodcraft, Kuala Lumpur

Visit The Farm at The Sphere for… a farm-to-table dining experience in a leafy, rustic-modern space where indoor and outdoor seating merge with real greenery and sunlight streaming through plants.

The restaurant makes every meal feel wholesome: wooden walkways, hanging herbs, and cosy nooks create an inviting, intimate atmosphere. Even while enjoying artisanal dishes, the greenery and subtle design touches add a calm, natural charm.

There’s also a smaller outlet in Subang Parade, but for a more plant-filled ambience, the Bangsar flagship is the one to visit.

The Coffee Cottage, Seberang Perai

Visit The Coffee Cottage for… a rustic, cosy corner where vintage decor, mismatched furniture, and greenery make the everyday feel like cottagecore.

Tucked away in a neighbourhood in Nibong Tebal, this cafe is a peaceful escape from city life. The interiors are filled with reclaimed wood, antique touches, and soft lighting that give it a warm, lived-in charm.

Outside, plants surround the seating area, creating small pockets of calm. It’s the kind of place where a simple cup of coffee feels like an invitation to pause, take in your surroundings, and enjoy a quiet moment.

Haloo House, Balik Pulau

Visit Haloo House for… a serene, home-style cafe experience tucked within Balik Pulau’s countryside, where time slows and every detail feels personal.

Open by appointment only, Haloo House isn’t a typical cafe. It’s more like visiting a friend’s chill home. With wooden furniture, handcrafted knick-knacks, and lush views of surrounding greenery, the space exudes a warmth that feels both nostalgic and intimate.

The setting is calm and deeply personal, designed for slow mornings and unhurried afternoons. Every cup of coffee and homemade food is served with care, reflecting the kind of gentle, heartfelt simplicity that Studio Ghibli moments are made of.

Hanazawa Cafe, Sungai Petani

Visit Hanazawa Cafe for… a Japanese-inspired bakery cafe filled with wooden furniture, plants, and pastries that smell like comfort.

Greenery greets you at the entrance, while inside, dried flowers, earthy tones, and warm wood come together to create a space that feels both inviting and calm.

The Postcard Shop, George Town

Visit The Postcard Shop for… a cup of coffee and a touch of nostalgia, surrounded by postcards, wooden shelves, and mellow colonial charm.

Part coffee shop, part postcard shop, it feels like someone’s attic: high ceilings spilling soft light, rustic decor, postcard illustrations by local artists, and quirky keepsakes lining the walls.

You can sip an iced Americano, browse hand-drawn postcards, and maybe write one to yourself before heading back into the afternoon heat.

Lebuh Armenian, George Town

Visit Armenian Street for… a walk through history and art, where colourful murals, heritage shophouses, and cosy cafes combine into a living tapestry of past and present.

Along Armenian Street, you’ll find Ernest Zacharevic’s famous Children on a Bicycle mural, vintage storefronts, and small independent boutiques. The vibrant street art and colonial-era architecture lend the place a quiet, cinematic charm.

Antique shops, local crafts, and cafes tucked into old shophouses make wandering here feel like discovery itself – pausing under a weathered porch, tracing sunlight on peeling paint, and finding whimsy in the most ordinary walls.

Treasure Thai, Skudai

Visit Treasure Thai for… a meal surrounded by warm lighting, wooden interiors, and leafy accents that feel more like a tranquil hideaway than a restaurant.

While the menu is rooted in Thai fusion flavours, the ambience carries the whimsical charm often found in Studio Ghibli’s more grounded scenes – the ones filled with clinking cutlery, steaming bowls, and the hum of conversation beneath soft light.

It’s not the kind of place that imitates Ghibli’s world directly, but the kind that captures its feeling – comforting, and full of simple joys.

Lune24, Johor Bahru

Visit Lune24 for… a dreamy glasshouse escape surrounded by greenery and sunlight filtering through wide windows.

This cafe draws people in with its vintage-style furnishings and stone pathways – a garden setting that feels like a scene from a fairy tale, where everything glows softly in the afternoon light.

Whether you’re here for coffee or conversation, Lune24’s charm lies in its ethereal beauty.

Nekototo Cafe, Johor Bahru

Visit Nekototo Cafe (Chinchilla Trading) for… a playful Totoro-inspired experience filled with charm and curiosity.

Popular with families and visitors from Singapore, this chinchilla-themed cafe in Johor captures a touch of Ghibli magic with its resident animals – from chinchillas and meerkats to wallabies – alongside Totoro murals, plushies, and whimsical decor.

It’s the kind of joyful setting that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into an animated world.

Jacob's Dream Gift Shop, Kuala Lumpur

Visit Jacob’s Dream Gift Shop for… a whimsical dose of the Ghibli world brought to life through collectibles, plushies, and gifts.

Nestled inside Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, this charming boutique celebrates the warmth and imagination of Studio Ghibli with thoughtfully curated shelves – from Totoro towels and lamps to soft toys and keepsakes.

For fans of My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and other Ghibli classics, Jacob’s Dream is the kind of place that rekindles the joy of those magical worlds.