It makes sense to say anime scenery is based off from real world locations. I was curious and did a quick research on where Miyazaki found his scenery inspiration.
Kiki Delivery's Service port location
Spirited Away Bathhouse
Howl's Moving Castle town
Princess Mononoke forest
Ponyo's seaside
Porco Rosso's secret hideout
Satsuki and Mei House
Whisper of the Heart's shrine
The Secret World of Arietty's grass field
Castle in the Sky Laputa
When Marnie Was There seaside scene
