Stepping Into Ghibli Magic in Nagasaki
Siva McAteer • October 9, 2025
A Visit to Renka, the Cozy Studio Ghibli Shop
If you’re a Studio Ghibli fan, get ready — Day 9 of our cruise adventure took us straight into Ghibli heaven in Nagasaki. Our stop? Renka, a tiny but utterly enchanting Studio Ghibli store tucked into Shinchi Chinatown.
Why Renka Will Steal Your Heart ๐
Renka may be small, but inside it feels like you’ve stepped into a frame from a Ghibli film. Think Totoro plushies, Howl’s Moving Castle trinkets, puzzles, stationery, and whimsical home goods. Everything is official merchandise, beautifully made, yet surprisingly affordable — perfect for souvenirs that are meaningful, not overpriced.
Inside, the lighting is soft, the shelves are cozy, and wandering through feels like a gentle stroll through your favorite childhood movies. Fans online say it’s one of the few places in Nagasaki open even in the evenings.
Yelp
One standout find for us was the No Face piggy bank from Spirited Away. If you know your Ghibli lore, you’ll get why that’s a holy grail item. (We even compared it to the red cup No Face holds — a “same cup” moment!)
Fun Fact: Did you know that Ghibli is derived from an Italian word for a “hot desert wind”? The idea was that the studio’s films would blow a fresh wind through the world of animation.
Also: Studio Ghibli was co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, two giants of anime. Their films have shaped entire generations of dreamers and art lovers.
Tips for Visiting Renka & Other Ghibli Shops
- Go early if you can: Popular items (especially plushies and limited-edition goods) sell out fast.
- Explore both floors (if it has them): Renka has two floors packed with Ghibli treasures.
- Bring small bills: Some items are inexpensive but adorable — you’ll want to grab more than one.
- Compare with major Ghibli chains: Donguri Kyowakoku is Ghibli’s official merchandise chain across Japan. If you see similar items, you can compare prices.
- Don’t forget, the experience is part of the souvenir: snapping photos of shelves lined with Kodama, Totoro, soot sprites — those memories last far longer than trinkets.
- Bring Your Own Bag: By Day 9 of our cruise, we had done plenty of shopping — no surprise there! One thing I quickly learned while exploring Japan is to always bring a reusable shopping bag, especially when visiting Don Quijote. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it also makes carrying all your souvenirs so much easier. In this case, it came in extra handy when we found and purchased our new favorite treasure — the No Face piggy bank!
Takeaway: A reusable bag isn’t just good for the planet — it’s a travel essential for spontaneous shopping adventures.
Our “Mission Accomplished” Moment
As soon as I spotted that No Face piggy bank, I knew it had to come home with us. When comparing it to the red cup from a past cafe, I laughed — we had chased that prop across Japan! Mission accomplished.
If you ever find yourself in Nagasaki’s Chinatown, don’t skip Renka. It’s a hidden gem for anime souvenirs, Studio Ghibli merchandise, and pure kid-at-heart joy.๏ปฟ
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Can we just take a moment for this view? ๐ Calm blue waters, lush green mountains, and picture-perfect white clouds floating above — Nagasaki gifted us the dreamiest backdrop for happy hour aboard the Celebrity Millennium. We settled into the Rendezvous Lounge, where the live music played softly in the background and the cocktails flowed just right. There’s something magical about sipping a drink at sea — the gentle sway of the ship, the hum of happy conversation, and that golden-hour glow over the ocean. It’s one of those “I never want to leave” moments that cruises do so well.
Our Celebrity Cruise adventure continues, and today we’re diving into one of Nagasaki’s most fascinating (and flavorful!) neighborhoods — Nagasaki Chinatown, also known as Shinchi Chinatown.
There’s nothing quite like waking up to the soft sea breeze, the sound of gulls, and the city of Nagasaki slowly coming to life. This was Day 9 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, and honestly — I think this stop might be one of my favorites yet.
If you’re sailing on a Celebrity Cruise, there’s one show you cannot miss — and no, it’s not in the theater. It’s at the Martini Bar, where the bartenders don’t just make drinks… they perform them. ๐ญ๐ธ Welcome to the Martini Bar at the Grand Plaza, the heartbeat of the ship. Set beneath that glittering chandelier, this is where music, laughter, and liquid magic come together. The sleek bar itself is literally topped with ice, keeping your martini chilled to perfection while the vibe stays electric. These high-energy bartenders are true showmen, flipping bottles through the air, catching shakers behind their backs, and stacking glasses with flawless precision. Every move is choreographed, every pour perfectly timed. Think Cirque du Soleil meets cocktail hour! ๐นโจ And just when you think you’ve seen it all, the grand finale begins — the famous Cascading Pour. One flawless stream of martinis flows across a row of glasses, filling twelve drinks in perfect harmony. The crowd cheers, the music swells, and the energy is contagious. Here’s the best part — once the show’s over, those freshly poured martinis? They’re up for grabs! ๐ธ๐ So, yes, stick around till the very end — your patience just might earn you a free martini. This isn’t just a bar; it’s an experience. Whether you’re mingling with new friends, people-watching in the Grand Plaza, or simply soaking in the show, the Martini Bar embodies everything that makes Celebrity Cruises so special — style, energy, and pure fun.
After three magical wishes filled with flavor, fantasy, and a few culinary mishaps, our tiny table-top hero has reached the end of his story. Welcome to the final chapter of Le Petit Chef aboard Celebrity Cruises — where even the smallest chef learns the biggest lesson of all. ๐ โจ The Final Chapter: No More Wishes, Just Wisdom Our story begins with Le Petit Chef realizing that he has… well, nothing left. No more wishes. No ice cream. Not even his old robot kitchen. ๐ฆ๐ค And, being the tiny drama king that he is, he gets a bit melodramatic about it all. But just as he’s about to spiral into despair, the wise fairy reappears to remind him (and us) of an important truth: “There are no magical shortcuts in life.” With a sigh — and perhaps a little flair for the dramatic — Le Petit Chef tosses away the key to the magic book. ๐ Of course, he jokes that it might come in handy later… you know, in case the ship gets invaded by vampires or his mother-in-law causes trouble. ๐งโ๏ธ๐ It’s the perfect lighthearted ending to an unforgettable dining adventure.
If you’re sailing with Celebrity Cruises, there’s one experience you absolutely must add to your bucket list: Le Petit Chef. This one-of-a-kind dinner and a show is part gourmet dining, part high-tech animation, and 100% unforgettable. โจ Welcome back to Part 5 of my Japan Cruise Adventure! Today, we dive into Wish #3 of Le Petit Chef’s whimsical story. ๐ Wish #3 – A World Made of Sweets In this chapter, the magical fairy grants Le Petit Chef’s final wish—a world where everything is edible, so that no one will ever go hungry again. And just like that, the table transforms before your eyes. ๐ญ Chocolate rivers begin to flow. Gingerbread men march in, lending a helping hand. Cookies, candies, and cakes appear at every turn. It feels like stepping straight into Willy Wonka’s factory, but with a French twist. The finale builds to a jaw-dropping dessert presentation—complete with ice cream on top. ๐จ The perfect ending to an already magical meal.
If you’re looking for the ultimate bucket-list dining experience while sailing the high seas, Le Petit Chef on Celebrity Cruises is an absolute must. Trust me—you’ll want to add this to your itinerary the moment you book your cruise! โจ In this episode of the animated dining adventure, the magical fairy grants Le Petit Chef his second wish. All his life, Le Petit Chef has felt overlooked in the culinary world. I mean, let’s face it—it’s not easy to be taken seriously when you’re literally the world’s smallest chef. ๐จ๐ณ But with the fairy’s help, he decides to flip the script and wishes to become… the world’s largest chef! ๐ And voilà—with just a sip of the fairy’s sparkling potion, he grows to astronomical size. Towering over the dining room, our tiny chef-turned-giant sets out to create the biggest dish the world has ever seen. ๐ฒ๐ This whimsical storyline is projected in 3D animation right onto your table, blending theater, storytelling, and gourmet dining into one unforgettable night. The best part? While Le Petit Chef is busy working his culinary magic in the animation, you’re savoring a perfectly curated meal that matches the story unfolding before your eyes. It’s dinner and a show like no other.
If you’ve ever dreamed of mixing fine dining with a one-of-a-kind immersive show, then you absolutely need to add Le Petit Chef to your Celebrity Cruise itinerary. This isn’t just dinner—it’s a magical storytelling experience that blends animation, theater, and world-class cuisine into one unforgettable evening. ๐ On Day 8 of our Celebrity Cruise Japan adventure, we had the chance to watch the whimsical tale of Le Petit Chef unfold. This episode features a delightful twist: a magical fairy appears and grants our tiny chef three wishes. โจ Wish #1: The Kitchen of the Future ๐ค The very first wish? A state-of-the-art, AI-powered kitchen that could put even Gordon Ramsay to shame. Enter the AI Control Kitchen Robo 3000—a high-tech marvel capable of cooking any dish you could dream up. Think of it as your own personal robotic chef, programmed for perfection. But here’s the kicker… Le Petit Chef isn’t impressed! ๐ Despite the robot’s dazzling skills and futuristic flair, our pint-sized hero decides this cold, mechanical kitchen just isn’t for him. And of course, in true Le Petit Chef fashion, things don’t exactly go smoothly—chaos ensues, laughter follows, and the audience is left in stitches. ๐ฝ๏ธ๐
If you’ve ever dreamed of combining world-class dining with an unforgettable show, then Le Petit Chef aboard Celebrity Cruises is an absolute bucket list experience. ๐ขโจ On Day 8 of our Japan 86 Celebrity Cruise adventure, we were introduced to Le Petit Chef—a tiny but ambitious chef with dreams larger than life. And let me tell you… this isn’t just dinner, it’s a full-on culinary theater performance that blends storytelling, animation, and fine dining into one magical night. The Story That Started It All ๐๐จ๐ณ Picture this: our little thumb-sized chef stumbles upon a dusty old mystical cookbook at a flea market. But this isn’t your ordinary collection of recipes. Nope—this cookbook holds the secret to a soup so magical, it can literally make dreams come true. With every stir, swirl, and sprinkle of imagination (and yes, a touch of fairy dust โจ), Le Petit Chef whips up a dish powerful enough to summon a spirit to life. It’s part fairy tale, part food fantasy, and totally mesmerizing to watch play out right on your dinner table.
If you’ve ever dreamed of combining world-class dining, jaw-dropping entertainment, and a little sprinkle of magic, then let me introduce you to Le Petit Chef on Celebrity Cruises. This isn’t just dinner—it’s an immersive dining experience at sea that you’ll never forget.
