Totoro... forest spirit or just a REALLY good suit actor?

Alright, so I just caught "My Neighbor Totoro" for the first time. Look, I'm usually about explosions, car chases, and guys jumping off buildings without a net. But I'm trying to broaden my horizons, ya know? And everyone says this movie is like, a classic. So I gave it a shot. And okay, it's cute. The animation is beautiful, no argument there. But my brain keeps trying to figure out how they pulled off Totoro himself. I mean, that thing is HUGE! Was it a guy in a super elaborate suit? Some kinda crazy puppet? The way it moves, especially in that scene where Satsuki first meets him at the bus stop... it just seems so tangible! I know it's animation, duh, but it has this weirdly realistic weight to it. So, anyone got any behind-the-scenes info? I'm dying to know the secrets to that creature's creation. Maybe they used forced perspective with smaller actors for parts of it? I know, I know, I'm probably overthinking a cartoon. But a guy's gotta know, right? Also, that soot sprites could make for a really good practical effect too. Just saying.