The first quarter of the year was like a roller coaster ride. During the first half I was brimming with hope and dreams for the year. Then during the latter half, my motivation just plummeted into an all-time low, to the point that I deeply contemplated what even was my purpose for living, and what kind of future awaits me. And so as I come face-to-face with the goals that I have set during the start of the year, I felt so disassociated with them, like I'm reading a stranger's thoughts and aspirations. I am still slowly bringing back my interest in life in general, and so I'm approaching this quarter's evaluation with self-compassion in mind.

I honestly don't know how to feel anymore, in terms of my direction in life in general. I need the next quarter to remove all the noise and focus my mind on things that are important to me. So I guess I'll spend the next three months doing lots of self-reflection, and hopefully I will be back in Q3 with a more concrete plan at hand.

It's been exactly two years since this trip happened, and the farther these memories feel for me, the more magical they all seem to be. It all feels like a dream now, but I'm so glad that I still have these photos, and most importantly that ink on my skin, to preserve the memories that I have of one of the best journeys that I have taken the courage to take, two Tokyo Springs ago.

That green box is the vending machine for round-trip bus tickets to the Ghibli museum and Mitaka station.

The other half of my ticket for my return trip to Mitaka station (though I wasn't able to use this).

Inside the Ghibli museum bus.

Excited kid enroute to the museum. 😂

There's also a room which exhibits the animation process of the films, with details on how the animators choose colors for each scene and character. There were so much information that I just want to stay in that room and really study the process. 😍

I took this in the comfort room. LOL. Even their toilet has its beautiful aesthetics.

The Museum Cafe

Because I haven't eaten anything at this point, I realized I was already starving! I went to the cafe to have my brunch. It was still not lunch time but there was already a queue outside the cafe.

Good thing the menu was already available at the waiting area. I grabbed one to choose what my meal would be. I knew I was not going to hold back. Because I was hungry. Because this was the freakin' Studio Ghibli cafe. Because I don't know when I'll be back again. I knew I was all in. I'll order whatever the hell I wanted. This was one of those moments in my life that I was geniunely treating myself. Good job self ! This is your reward for all the hardships you've endured in life thus far. 😂

The café staff was asking people in the queue how many people were in a group. When it was my turn, I proudly said "table for one" (😶), and the staff redirected me in one of the high chairs facing a part of the kitchen. It was an interesting position because I get to see the kitchen staff preparing the food to serve to the other customers, which was super cool. 

I actually occupied two high chairs, the other one for my bag. 😀 (📷: matcha-jp.com)

I might or might not have stolen some of these tissue.

I had a great view of the other tables inside the cafe. While waiting for my order, I was casually people-watching, and of course taking photos.

A few seconds after this photo, the lady staff kindly requested me to refrain taking anymore photos of the inside the cafe. I remember her saying "Photos of food okay. 👌"

When my order came, my instincts kicked in. But before diving in, I had to take photos of my food... for documentation purposes, of course.

But yeah, what a great "documentator" (?) I am. I wasn't able to take down what name this dish was. What I remember is that it's the creamiest pasta I've ever had. It had herbs and mushrooms. And that egg just sealed this dish as a must-try in the cafe!

Just when I thought I already had the finest dish, the next best thing comes in. Their hot milk (with honey) is heaven sent! The first sip sent me straight up to the clouds. I just stared at my plate just internally happy crying because of how good these food were. And in that moment, I knew how lucky I was to experience this kind of happiness. I was in Tokyo, alone but not lonely. I was in the Studio Ghibli Cafe. I was eating these delicious food. My whole life purpose was to arrive at that moment. Okay LOL I was overreacting. But I was just so happy and grateful for this adventure, which was swiftly coming to an end. It was a bittersweet moment. I never wanted the trip to end. I didn't want to go back anymore. I wanted to stay in this dreamland forever. 🥰 

Okay, when my mind finally (and reluctantly) went back to reality, I asked a staff to serve my dessert. Of course, I will always have room for dessert! I ordered their (apparently famous) Strawberry Short Cake with Berries of All Sizes because it definitely looked like food straight out of a Ghibli film. 

Hmm, I couldn't remember something that was striking with the cake, so I guess it tasted like a normal cake? 😅 But for sure those berries tasted sweet! I kept that Ponyo on a stick as a souvenir. 😁

It sure was a very satisfying meal! It was all worth the trip to this place. 

Outside the Museum
Since cameras were not allowed inside, I just maximized taking photos of the exterior. It's all worth a sight too!

And here comes the awkward selfies LOL. Of course I needed proof that I really went to this place!

The Rooftop

Yes, the museum has a rooftop. It's only accessible through a spiral staircase, which is a nice touch in my opinion. 

The star of the rooftop is definitely the guardian robot from Castle in the Sky, which is in the top 5 of my most favorite Ghibli film.

Of course, I kindly asked the group in front of me to take my picture. Arigatou gozaimasu!

I love every bit of the statue, can you tell? 😆

The robot statue guards the museum day in and day out.

Anyone who watched Castle in the Sky would recognize this cube.

The view at the rooftop was refreshing because all the surrounding trees were visible from that point.

The Souvenir Shop

Of course, I also checked out the shop for souvenirs. I knew for sure that the items would be expensive because it was the official souvenir shop of the museum. Sure, there were lots of merchandise that I only saw here (I've seen a lot of Totoro keychains in other stores in Tokyo). There were even jewelries here (maybe for cosplay) of Howl's earrings and also the necklace from Castle in the Sky. I think this was the most crowded room during my visit. I was almost shoulder-to-shoulder with most people, who were all looking closely at all the souvenirs available. 

For me, I bought the cookie set (at least it's edible and I could keep the container), the Totoro sewing set, and those sprites mirror stickers (which I think I still have not used 'til now).

The paper bag that contained the goodies!

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There were sprites inside! I super loved this cute detail!

This was really one of the more magical days of this Tokyo trip. 💓