Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei are overjoyed about moving into a historic country house with their dad--but the girls don't realize what a delightful adventure awaits them there. While exploring their sprawling home and the beautiful rural area that surrounds it, Satsuki and Mei meet Granny, a sweet old woman, and her timid grandson Kanta. They also experience firsthand the magic of the Soot Sprites, mysterious creatures that live in the walls, and discover a huge camphor tree that just might be enchanted... 
Spunky sisters Satsuki and Mei are adjusting to their fascinating new country home--and to life without their mother, who is recovering in a nearby hospital. 
Satsuki makes plenty of friends at her new school, but Mei, who is too young for school, has to stay behind. One afternoon, she follows a funny-looking creature to the trunk of an ancient camphor tree and enters the whimsical world of Totoro, a magical forest creature. Will Dad and Satsuki believe her story?