The first time I heard “Kichijoji”.
I thought it was some famous temple in Japan.
With a name like that, I was curious.
Later, I realized it's a neighborhood in Tokyo.
The reason it's so famous is because of a list.
“The Neighborhood You'd Most Like to Live In”.
Although the ranking has been changing since then.
But Kichijoji is a thunderous No.1!
In '16, there was also a very title-party Japanese drama.
“Is Kichijoji the only town you want to live in?
Kichijoji is the number one choice in Tokyo.
How good is Kichijoji?
That so many people want to live here?
There are not only department stores
There are trendy stores, delicious restaurants, quiet parks.
It's local but elegant.
This is undoubtedly one of the best streets to live in.
Although you may not be able to live in Kichijoji for the rest of your life.
But... It's no problem to play around Kichijoji!
🤗 01 Inokashira-no-Mikoto Enchi Park
Inokashira Enki Park, which was opened to the public in 1917, has a large area and is a very famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Tokyo.
There is a large pond called “Inokashira Pond” in the center of Inokashira Enchi Park, which is said to have been named by the third Tokugawa Shogun, and its name is derived from two phrases: “the source of tap water” and “there is no better well water. “There is no better well water to drink than this.
This pond used to be a watering hole for the locals, but is now famous for the cherry blossoms that cover it in the spring, and in the summer, if you rent a boat and paddle, you can take photos amidst the intoxicating greenery.
However, there is an urban legend that has to be mentioned here. It is rumored that couples who step over the swan boat together here will break up, and it is very spiritual, so it is better to invite your friends and relatives to come boating here.
In one corner of the park, there is a shrine called “Benzaiten”, in which there is a money laundering area, and it is said that if you bring your money here to wash it, it will make your fortune roll in.
🤗 02 Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Museum
The Ghibli Museum is the most famous attraction in Kichijoji, and anyone who knows a little bit about Japanese culture will know about the existence of this museum, which is the “dream space” of the famous Hayao Miyazaki.
He brought the world from the anime into reality, and the place was designed by Miyazaki himself.
It is a place of pilgrimage for Miyazaki fans as it restores many characters and scenes from his animation.
Although it is an anime-themed art museum, even if you haven't seen his animation, you can totally treat it as a well-designed art museum, and every detail of the museum's design will amaze you.
It is also because of its unique style that it attracts so many visitors. The museum has adopted a reservation system to limit the number of visitors in order to ensure that every visitor can have a perfect experience here. Reservations are usually made a month in advance on the official website.
🤗 03 アテスウェイ “a tes souhaits!”
Like Kichijoji, this dessert store has been on the list of “Japan's Best Dessert Shops” for years, and it's been on the list for n years, and it's not letting up.
The store is located 15 minutes from Kichijoji Station, but you have to go there early in the morning, as many of the popular items are sold out as soon as the store opens, so if you're late, they won't be available!
Although it is said to open at 11 o'clock, but basically about half an hour in advance to arrive there are already a lot of people lined up in front of the door, her family from the cake to the chocolate and even bread are highly acclaimed! Not only do they taste good, but they are also styled like works of art, and the feeling of happiness extends from sight to taste.
Address：Kasa Kichijoji 2, 3-8-8 Kichijoji Higashimachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo
Business hours: 11:00～19:00
Closed: Mondays
🤗 04 Kichijoji Sato
Kichijoji Sato, a restaurant specializing in black-haired wagyu beef, is a must-visit in Kichijoji, and the line for the restaurant is long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long, and boring.
Everyone comes here for their signature fried beef meatballs, “Genjo-maru Mentchikatsu”, which is also a “regular” at food festivals!
The crispy fried beef meatballs are golden brown on the outside, and as soon as you take a bite, the delicious meat juice bursts out and fills your entire mouth, with a rich texture of crispy skin and tender meat.
The beef used here is strictly selected by the owner from contracted farms or markets, and the origin of the meat is absolutely reassuring, which is perhaps the secret that makes it stand out from the rest of the food!
Address：1-1-8 Kichijoji Honmachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo
Business hours: 10:00～19:00
Regular holiday: Beginning of the year
🤗 05 Kashiya Neptune
This famous ramen restaurant has branches in Shinjuku and other places, but many gourmets still come here to try a bowl of ramen with clams, which is only available at the Kichijoji store.
There are only two types of ramen: seafood ramen with fish bones and clam ramen, and they are made with care and attention!
The soup is made with freshly caught fish, so it's delicious and has no fishy smell, and the clams are large and sand-free, so they're really good with the soup, and they also use homemade cod and shrimp sliders instead of barbecued pork and other ingredients in the regular ramen, so the freshness is upgraded again.
The noodles are strong and silky with the flavorful fish broth, and the ramen has a unique warmth that slips into your heart. Served with crispy onigiri (rice balls) and a flavorful candied egg, you'll be tempted to have another bowl!
Address：Kumamoto Building 2F, 1-5-9 Kichijoji Minamimachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo
Business hours: 11:00～23:00(L.O.)
Regular holiday: Open all year round
🤗 06 ティーサロンジークレフ “TEA SALON Gclef”
Spending a relaxing afternoon at a tea store like TEA SALON Gclef is the best way to start a day in Kichijoji!
The tea drinks are made from selected tea leaves plus the current young people's favorite way of doing things, there are a lot of tricks, but the highest order rate is still the signature black tea, paired with a delicate and rustic tea set, elegance is synonymous with him.
You can't go wrong with their dim sum, and the variety of desserts with different drinks will give you a whole new feeling. The best match with black tea is the small puffs dipped in various kinds of jam, while the waffles and milk tea are like a “natural pair”.
There are also many seasonal limited drinks to try!
Address：2-8-4 Kichijoji Hon-machi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo
Business Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00～22:00
Weekends and holidays: 9:00～22:00
Regular holidays: Year-end and New Year holidays
🤗 07 チャイブレイク “chai break”
Taking a chai break before going for a walk to Inokashira in Kichijoji is a favorite weekend activity for many Kichijoji residents, and the store is just a five-minute walk from Kichijoji Station.
This is a small store specializing in black tea and Indian La Tea, the owner insists on using the freshest tea leaves to brew black tea, and absolutely no use of Earl Grey processed with spices, which can be regarded as the authentic “black tea expert”.
Of course, there are plenty of snacks and desserts to go around, so in addition to take-out, it's also a great idea to take a break in the vintage atmosphere of the store.
Address: 1-3-2 Gotemiyama, Musashino-shi, Tokyo
Business Hours:
Weekdays: 9:00～19:00
Weekends and holidays: 8:00～19:00
Regular holiday：Tuesday
🤗 08 カフェ ゼノン “CAFE ZENON”
This cafe is tucked under the elevated railroad, and you can find him about 5 minutes after exiting the Kichijoji North Exit and turning right to walk straight along the elevated railroad.
This is a coffee shop created by the former editor-in-chief of Weekly Shonen Jump, a well-known Japanese weekly manga magazine, together with several manga artists, so you can see manga-related décor and design in every corner of the store.
It's the perfect place for comic book fans to come, with crystal lamps full of comic books and many cut-outs of comic characters on the pillars, there are warm and funny comic book memories at every turn.
There are a lot of different kinds of dishes, which are exquisite and delicious. The most noteworthy thing is his pulling coffee, what kind of pulling can be made, just talk to their puller about your favorite, guaranteed to satisfy to your heart's desire~!
Address：2-11-3 Kichijoji Minamimachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo
Business hours: 11:00～24:00
Closed：Not closed
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Are you blinded?
Kichijoji is different from the commercialized atmosphere of the city center.
Kichijoji is not as commercialized as the city center. There are also many local houses and stores.
There are many drugstores and department stores.
It's a great place to eat, drink and shop.
