The man had actually first discovered the body, which was largely covered by fallen leaves, a week prior.
However, the setting of My Neighbor Totoro does have a specific real-life inspiration.
Over the years, the real-life location has even become colloquially known as “Totoro no Mori,” or “Totoro’s Forest.”
However, last Saturday morning the police were contacted regarding an incident in Totoro’s Forest that was far less whimsical than meeting the cuddly titular character or encountering the Catbus.