Satsuki Kusakabe

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Satsuki Kusakabe is the older sister of Mei Kusakabe. The two sisters live in a house that has been recreated at Ghibli Park's Dondoko Forest area. This house was originally built for Expo 2005 and later renovated, reopening with the park on 1 November 2022. The name of the Dondoko Forest area is derived from the "Dondoko Odori" dance that Satsuki performs alongside Mei and the forest spirit Totoro in a scene from the film *My Neighbor Totoro*.

In Their Own Story

Satsuki Kusakabe lives with her younger sister Mei in a house located in the Dondoko Forest area of Ghibli Park. The house, which was originally built for Expo 2005, closed in November 2021 for renovation works and reopened with the rest of the park on 1 November 2022. The area's name comes from the "Dondoko Odori" dance performed by Satsuki, Mei, and Totoro during a scene from *My Neighbor Totoro*. Behind the house, at the top of the forest hill, there is a wooden playground called "Dondoko-do" that awaits visitors. The source does not provide any further narrative details about Satsuki's life or adventures.

Reader's Guide

Satsuki Kusakabe is a character from the Studio Ghibli film *My Neighbor Totoro*. She is the older sister of Mei Kusakabe. The two sisters live in a house that is a central feature of the Dondoko Forest area at Ghibli Park. This house was originally built for Expo 2005 and was renovated before the park's opening on 1 November 2022. The name "Dondoko Forest" is taken from the "Dondoko Odori" dance that Satsuki performs with Mei and Totoro in the film. A wooden playground called "Dondoko-do" is located on the hill behind the house.

Did You Know?

• Satsuki and Mei's house from *My Neighbor Totoro* was originally built for Expo 2005 and is located in the Dondoko Forest area of Ghibli Park.
• The name "Dondoko Forest" comes from the "Dondoko Odori" dance performed by Satsuki, Mei, and Totoro in the film.
• The house closed in November 2021 for renovation works and reopened with the rest of the park on 1 November 2022.
• A wooden playground called "Dondoko-do" is located on the hill behind Satsuki and Mei's house.