Studio Ghibli Releases Kiki’s Delivery Service Tea and Mugs

Studio Ghibli fans in Japan have a cozy new treat to look forward to. The Ghibli specialty chain Donguri Kyowakoku has released a range of teatime products inspired by Kiki’s Delivery Service, the beloved 1989 film.

The centerpiece is a tea tin modeled after the little red tin Kiki tucks into her knapsack as she packs for her year of witch training. Since the film never shows the tin’s design in full detail, the makers had room to have fun with it, and they clearly did.

The artwork is full of loving references. Kiki appears rattling the tin with a smile, surrounded by items from her bedroom like her stuffed toys, her packed knapsack, and her father’s red radio. One side features her cat Jiji looking up with his tail held high, while the lid shows a witch on a broomstick framed by the sun and moon, a nod to the signboard outside Kiki’s home.

Inside the gold accented tin are eight original tea bags, a blend of Ceylon tea and chamomile said to have a soft, fruity aroma. The lineup also includes matching mugs to round out the set.

My take: This is exactly the kind of gentle, detail rich merchandise that makes Ghibli fandom such a joy. A quiet cup of tea from Kiki’s own tin sounds like the perfect way to slow down on a grey afternoon.