The story tells of a little girl named Tihiro, who by fate finds herself in a magical world of deities, spirits and mystical beings. During the move to a new residence, Tihiro"s parents lose their way and end up in a forest before a mysterious building. The building looks like an abandoned amusement park, and Tihiro"s parents decide to take a short walk and explore its surroundings. After some time they arrive at a mysterious town consisting only of restaurants. There are no people on the streets, but tables overflow with various exotic dishes. Thinking that someone from the staff will soon come to them, Tihiro"s parents fill up on food and begin their meal. Tihiro, who has been feeling a strange anxiety all this time, tries to dissuade them from this venture, but they do not listen. Leaving her futile attempts behind, Tihiro goes for a walk in the mystical city where she meets a strange boy named Haku, who orders her to return immediately before darkness falls. Confused, she runs back to her parents and is horrified to find that they have turned into pigs. In panic she runs toward the building where she and her parents had left their car, but suddenly a huge river blocks her path. Tihiro decides that it is just a dream, but soon realizes that everything that happened to her is more than real. Tihiro must survive in the magical world of spirits and find a way to rescue her parents from an evil sorceress and return home, back to the world of humans.
Studio Ghibli Japan