So cute it hurts!!! Do you know where the internet-famous “Totoro Bus Stop” is?

Photos & Text /Yi Ge’s Taiwan Adventure

Built against a hillside with views of Keelung Harbor, Zhongzheng Park is arguably Keelung’s most well-known tourist attraction. In addition to the massive statue of Guanyin and the always-smiling statue of Maitreya Buddha, there’s now a Totoro bus stop mural at the original location of Shoushan Pavilion. The chubby Totoro, holding an umbrella and waiting for the bus with an adorable, clueless expression, suddenly comes to life right before your eyes.

The appearance of the Totoro bus stop was actually an unexpected outcome.

Previously, early risers gathering in the area had taken over Shoushan Pavilion, turning it into a serious illegal structure.

They were also singing karaoke day and night, creating noise that disturbed students at Chenggong Junior High School from attending classes. After receiving complaints, the Keelung City Government demolished the illegal structures inside the pavilion last May and completed a Sky City mural along with greening and landscaping projects.

As for the mural of Totoro holding an umbrella and waiting for the bus, it was created by an anonymous street artist and wasn’t part of the original planned project.

I guess the public authorities didn’t expect that this Totoro graffiti would end up being more eye-catching than their painted Sky City mural.

The nearly 3-meter-high mural is incredibly lifelike, vividly showcasing Totoro’s adorable side.

Even though it’s a pretty big creature, you can’t help but think how incredibly cute it is.

Here’s a heads-up for anyone planning to visit the Totoro bus stop: there’s only a bus stop sign painted here — no actual buses stop at Shoushan Pavilion. To get here, you’ll likely need to drive, winding up the road from the city council area. Once you see the bronze statue of Confucius, the great sage, you can start looking for a parking spot. It’s recommended to circle around the statue’s roundabout and park along the wall of Chenggong Junior High School.

After parking, walk for about five minutes through the archway, and you’ll see the adorable Totoro.

If you have some free time, come wait with Big Totoro — with a bit of luck, maybe you’ll even catch the legendary Totoro bus.

[Totoro Bus Stop]
Address: Shoushan Pavilion, Zhongzheng Park, Keelung City


In this lovely land of Taiwan,
there are many stunning spots that take your breath away.
Each season brings a different charm,
letting you capture the most beautiful memories with every trip.
And I hope to one day fulfill my dream of traveling all across Taiwan.

Yi Ge’s Taiwan Adventure