If you like Japanese children’s animation, you will want to check out a selection of Studio Ghibli film clips, along with video clips and plots summaries at Lukira.com. In particular I appreciate “My Neighbour Totoro” for the depiction of life in the countryside in Japan. The animators have presented many of the nicest aspects of life in rural Japan, including the daily routines of a traditional farmhouse or country home.

My first visit to Japan took place when I was ten. I was dazzled by the Sanrio products found at Kiddyland in Omotesando – in particular by the Kiki and Lalaotherwise known as Little Twin Star.

I also couldn’t help noticing the appealing sweetness of cartoons on TV such as Candy Candy, a 1970s cartoon.