'''Kichij?ji''' (_g____) is a western suburb of Tokyo. The highlight is Inokashira Park, a large park with long walking paths surrounding a lake. The park is filled with both cherry trees and maples, making Inokashira Park an excellent choice for both flower viewing (______ ''ohanami'') in the spring, and the autumn colors (_g_t ''k?y?'') in the fall. Kichij?ji once enjoyed a reputation as an artists' colony, and today it is filled with stores from little boutiques to the big department stores. Kichij?ji seems to attract everyone, from upscale shoppers to hip-hop dancers practicing in train station.

Get in

By train

Kichij?ji is on the JR '''Ch?? Line''' (______) and '''S?bu Line''' (______) from Shinjuku station, and the '''Inokashira Line''' (________) from Shibuya station. Ch?? trains depart from Tokyo Station on platforms 1 and 2 (30 minutes; ¥380), and from Shinjuku on platform 10 (15 minutes; ¥210). Do not get on trains designated '''Special Rapid''' (Ch?? Special Rapid (________) and Ome Special Rapid (___~____)) most of which do not stop at Kichijoji.

Kichij?ji is also the terminus of the Kei? Inokashira Line (____________) from Shibuya. This is the best way to reach Kichijoji from Shibuya (18 minutes; ¥190). The local train may take longer, it is often worth waiting for the Express if boarding at Shibuya.

By bus

Bus service connects Kichij?ji directly with Narita Airport and Haneda Airport. Pick up the bus on the east side of the train station, underneath the JR tracks. Reservations are highly recommended during peak times, with tickets available at the Odakyu Bus ticket window (___c_}_o_X______) on the north side of the station, across from Sun Road. Buses for Narita depart once every hour or two, require 90-120 minutes depending on traffic, and the one-way fare is ¥3000. Buses for Haneda run in the morning and evening, require 50-90 minutes, and the one-way fare is ¥1200.

See

  • '''Ghibli Museum''' (_W_u_____p__) 1-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi (''10 minutes walk south of Kichij?ji station; adjacent to Inokashira Park''). 0570-055777. 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, closed Tue. This museum showcases the work of animated movie director Hayao Miyazaki, but you don't have to be an anime fan to enjoy it. Playful artwork, clever animation displays and Rube Goldberg machines recreate the atmosphere of Miyazaki's movies such as ''Spirited Away'' and ''Howl's Moving Castle''. A themed playroom and low displays make the museum well suited for children. Entry to the museum requires reserved tickets, which are available only at Lawson convenience stores or through overseas travel agencies [http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/ticket/overseas.html]. Admission ¥1000 age 19+/¥700 age 13-18/¥400 age 7-12/¥100 age 4-6.
  • '''Inokashira Park''' (__________ ''Inokashira-k?en'') is a large park where extensive walking paths surround a lake, making a pleasant escape from the city. On the weekends, vendors gather along the paths to sell handmade crafts under the trees. Inokashira Park is an excellent choice to go to see both cherry blossoms and fall colors. Rental boats are available to paddle around the lake, but be careful who you go with—this is reputed to be the way to tell your lover you want to break up. The park is south of the station, and quite large so it is hard to miss. But a reasonable approach is to exit the south side of the station, continue south to Marui department store, and walk down the street on its right (west) side. This street is a stretch of boutique shops and reasonably-priced restaurants, and leads into the park.
  • '''Kichijoji Art Museum''' (_g_______p__) 1-8-16 Kichijoji Honcho, 0422-22-0385. [http://www.musashino-culture.or.jp/a_museum/] (Japanese only).
  • '''Kichijoji Theatre''' (_g_____V_A_^_[) 1-33-22 Kichijoji Honcho, 0422-22-0911. [http://www.musashino-culture.or.jp/k_theatre/] (Japanese only).
  • '''Kichijoji Anime Wonderland''' [http://www.kichifes.jp/wonderland/] is a large animation festival that occurs in mid-October every year. English-language tours of the festival may be available from tour operator H.I.S.
  • Buy

    Stores in Kichijoji range from galleries and boutiques that are an outgrowth of the area's artist colony past, to the department stores Mitsukoshi, Marui and Isetan. Foreign chains such as Tower Records, Oshman's sporting goods and Lush have set up shop here as well. Sunroad is a long, covered shopping arcade on the north side of the station. Wind through narrow alleys of goods shops and yakitori restaurants in Harmonica Yokoch?, also on the north side. Nakamichi Street, northwest of the station, has boutique stores and mid-range restaurants.

  • '''Yodobashi Camera''' (1-19-1 Kichijoji-hon-cho) - the famous Japanese department store, selling computers, components, cameras, household appliances, and pretty much anything electronic. Just north of Kichijoji station, on the right. [http://www.yodobashi-kichijoji.com] (Japanese)
  • '''Yuzawaya''' (2-1-25 Kichijoji-minami-cho) is a huge handicraft shop adjacent to the station. There are three floors of toys; the dedicated shopper may find interesting souvenirs on the fabric floor. [http://www.yuzawaya.co.jp/] (in Japanese)
  • '''Onao''' (''fourth floor of Loft''), 0422-23-2673. [http://www.onao.co.jp/] (in Japanese) Onao has a nice selection of traditional Japanese paper and related souvenirs.
  • '''Bondi Books''' 1-28-6-107 Kichijoji Honcho (''off Itsuichikaido''), 0422-23-1996, 12 PM to 8 PM closed Tu. [http://bondibooks.com/]. Used English books.
  • Zool. inamichou1-17-1. 422-44-8190. ttp://www.zool-online.jp/. 2:00_`20:00. vintage clothes (men's and women's) and select goods shop

  • RAG TAG. inamicho1-8-6. 422-70-5850. ttp://www.ragtag.jp/cgi-bin/omc?req=misc/shop/kichijoji.html. 1:00_`20:00. Vintage clothes shop for popular brands

    Eat

  • '''Matsuzaka-gy? Sat?''' (_______T_g_E) is famous for its deep-fried mincemeat cutlets (''menchi katsu'') which you can get as take-out, and there's usually a long line of customers spilling out into the shopping arcade. The shop is three minutes from the north exit.
  • '''Iseya''' (______), Kichijoji-minamicho 1-15-8 (''south exit, on the shopping street leading to Inokashira Park''), 0422-43-2806. This ''yakitori'' (grilled chicken) tavern is a Kichijoji institution, first opening in 1928. The interior scene could be straight out of a 1950's black-and-white movie, full of raucous salarymen drowning their troubles in tall glasses of beer. This is the smaller branch shop; the main shop, housed in a marvelous old wooden building from 1953 to 2006, will re-open in October 2007.
  • '''Monk's Foods''', Gotenyama 1-2-4 (''4 min. from south exit along Koen-dori''), 0422-48-3977, closed Wednesdays [http://www4.ocn.ne.jp/~monks/index.html]. Buddhist ascetics and quirky jazz pianists alike will feel at home at this cozy "slow food" restaurant. The fare is organically-grown, mostly vegetarian/vegan home-style Japanese. When you sit down, the owner will almost certainly ask if you can read the Japanese-only menu, if you look like you can't. If that's the case, just pick one of the three daily specials — vegetarian, fish, or chicken. Chances are you'll get something you like, along with some other exotic healthy vegetable that you won't like.
  • '''Bubuka''' (______) 1-2-3 Minami-Kichijoji (''turn left coming out of the station's south exit'') 0422-41-8180. Open everyday 11:30 to midnight. The '''abura soba''' served at this ramen restaurant is a welcome break from the usual salty and soupy ramen. Actually ramen not soba, abura soba (¥550) is served with no soup, but does include the usual green onion, slice of pork, etc. An interesting addition is raw egg (''nama tamago''), ¥50. Look for the store with the line in front - it is a popular place.
  • '''Ichi-en''' 2-17-2 Kichijoji Honcho, 0422-22-5919. If you are in the mood for some gyoza with your ramen, try Ichi-en on Nakamichi Street, on the northwest side of the station. The interior is what you'd expect from a traditional ramen shop. Be sure to try the huge gyoza, at ¥400, they are a cheap meal unto themselves.
  • '''Inokashira Tsuyube Hanare''' 1-3-1 Kichijoji Gotenyama, 0422-47-9465. To get into this izakaya located just outside of Inokashira Park, you'll have to duck to get through the low-clearance door reminiscent of traditional tea houses. Be sure to order the mackerel (''saba''), which will be brought to your table and cooked by the chef on the spot, using a handheld blowtorch (¥730). During peak times, reservations may be required.
  • '''Mo-Mo-Paradise''' 1-9-10 Kichijoji Honcho (''in the Sunroad arcade'') 0422-20-1129. All-you-can-eat shabu-shabu is paradise for people, particularly at ¥1700. Although there is no English menu, you'll only need to choose between shabu-shabu and sukiyaki.
  • '''Mo-Para Nabe Zo''' 2-13-6 Kichijoji Honcho, Q&K Bldg. 3F. [http://www.wondertable.com/index.jsp] Another all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurant run by the same people as Mo-Mo Paradise. For the uninitiated, ask to be seated next to one of the glass partitions which describes how to cook in grammatically correct English. Refill on vegetables at a salad bar. Opened in 2006. ¥1890.
  • '''Shimanchu Shokudo Niraikanai''' 1-23-7 Kichijoji Honcho, 0422-22-4877. Okinawa-themed restaurant and bar. Head downstairs for the Hawaiian-themed bar Jingle-Jangle.
  • '''Capricciosa''' 2-16-12 Kichijoji Honcho, 0422-21-7881 (''down a small street at the back of Tokyu department store'') An Italian-style chain restaurant. Reasonably priced.
  • Zats Burger Cafe. -13-4 Kichijoji Honcho. 422-26-9107. 1 AM to 11 PM, until 4 AM on weekend nights. yen;690 for regular, ¥1380 for jumbo burger, fries ¥320. Excellent burgers in a bright and airy cafe, the specialty is the Sasebo burger, which is fried egg, cheddar cheese and bacon on a beef patty. Opened 2008.
  • Gono Burger & Grill. -10-12 Kichijoji Honcho, Green House B1. ext to Carnival. 422-23-7050. ttp://www.gono.jp/. 1:30 AM-11 PM. yen;1200+. Burgers in a wood-and-stone decor. The burgers aren't huge, but for ¥1200, the lunch set includes includes a nice salad and drink bar. Kid-friendly restaurant.

    Drink

    Cafes

  • '''Donatello's''' 1-15-8 Kichijoji Minamicho (''on the street right of Marui dept. store, next to the park''). 0422-44-8078. 10:30 AM-10:30 PM, from 10 AM on Sun. The large windows in this cafe look out into Inokashira Park, Donatello's a good place to stop after a stroll. You may find the cafe cats sunning themselves next to the windows.
  • Cat Cafe Calico. -5-7 Kichijoji Minamicho, Yuki Bldg. 4F. ext to south exit. 422-29-8353. afe_calico@nifty.com. ttp://homepage3.nifty.com/calico/ (Japanese only). 0 AM to 10 PM. ntrace fee ¥800, drinks from ¥150. Enjoy the company of this cafe's 15 cats as you sip your coffee or tea. An outlet for cat lovers who don't or can't keep cats at home, this cafe was covered in news wire reports in late 2007. It is relatively easy to find, leave from the central exit from Kichijoji station, turn right and it should be on the left up a busy lane, the sign is fairly discreet but it's only a minute from the station.

    These cafes all follow a successful formula, trendy decor with a decent selection of coffees, light meals and desserts

  • '''Medewo & Dine''' 2-13-6 Kichijoji Honcho (''north of Showa dori, across from Nike store''). 0422-23-8208. Open 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM. Check out the seats and service carts lifted from a Delta Air airplane. Get the espresso and brownie for ¥400.
  • '''St. George Cafe''' 2-13-7 Kichijoji Honcho. 0422-23-3123. 11 AM-10 PM. Background music from the 80s. Drink and dessert set, ¥870.
  • '''Sough Cafe''' 1-17-10 Kichijoji Minamicho, F&W Bldg. 2F (''enroute to Inokashira Park from the train station''), 0422-46-2718. A bright and airy cafe, dog-friendly. Some tables have game consoles to play games or watch a movie.
  • '''...ful Cafe''' 2-17-12 Kichijoji Honcho, B1F (''along Nakamichi Street''), 0422-28-7039, [http://www.worksn.com/fulcafe/menu.html] (in Japanese). 11:30 AM-10 PM (until 9PM on Sun.), closed Weds.
  • Bars

  • '''Funk Step''', B1, 2-8-8 M288 Building Kichijoji Honcho, 0422-71-7801. Restaurant, Bar. A soul and funk music bar specializing in Japanese cuisine. Offering many live music events. Closed Tuesdays. Open until 5am.
  • '''Warp''', 1-30-10 Kichijoji Honcho, 0422-22-3514. [http://warp.rinky.info/ warp.rinky.info]. A live house with recording studios available for booking.
  • '''Cheeky''', B1, 1-30-10 Kichijoji Honcho, 0422-22-8005. [http://www.bar-cheeky.com/] Formerly the annex of Warp, now independent. Musicians such as Inushiki and Latyr Sy gather there, and collaborate until the brink of dawn. Time spent there is to experience musical and artistic genius. Closed Mondays.
  • '''Star Pines Cafe''', B1, 1-20-16 Kichijoji Honcho, 0422-23-2251. [http://www.mandala.gr.jp/spc.html] A large club and live house. 2 floors and stage. Next to Yodabashi Camera. Open until 6am.
  • '''Holic''' Keyaki Bldg. B1, 1-1-8 Kichijoji Minamicho (''from the station's south exit, turn right''), 0422-49-6638. Opened in 2005, this bar features a good selection of imported bottled beers and a couple of Japanese microbrews on tap. The food is better than average, but also a little pricey.
  • '''Jingle-Jangle''', B1, 1-23-7 Kichijoji Honcho, 0422-21-8444. Fun-filled Hawaiian-themed bar located under Shimanchu Shokudo Niraikanai.
  • '''Hub''' 1-2-7 Kichijoji Honcho, Kichijoji Arufa Bldg. B1, 0422-20-6540 (''off of Sun Road''). [http://www.hub-pub.com/] The Hub is an English-style pub with locations throughout Japan.
  • '''Hub''' 1-5-7 Kichijoji Minamicho, Yuki Bldg. B1 (0422-46-3546). This second Kichijoji location of the Hub is at the station's south exit.
  • '''Beer Bar Bicke''' 2-13-7 Kichijoji Honcho, Gurandee Bldg 3F (0422-21-8775), 5 PM to 12 AM. [http://www18.ocn.ne.jp/~bicke/] (in Japanese).
  • '''Alvorada''', B1, 1-32-9 Kijijochi Honcho (''north exit, five minutes along the train tracks to the right''). A cozy Brazilian-style ''lanchonete'' (luncheonette) and bar with good food and live music.[http://www.alvorada.jp/]
  • Sleep

  • '''Kichijoji Tokyu Inn''' 1-6-3 Kichijoji Minamicho. 0422-47-0109, fax 0422-43-1811. ¥12,500/22,500 for single/double. [http://www.tokyuhotels.co.jp/en/TI/TI_KICHI/]
  • Get out