Most online guide for exploring Tokyo will mention a stop at Kichijoji for its Inokashira Park Zoo that is among the best places for tourists to participate in Japan’s popular spring activity, hanami (cherry blossom viewing).
The majority of these guides fail to mention that the area of Kichijoji has plenty more other things in store for travelers of every kind. With various attractions that range from charming one-of-a-kind boutiques to busy shopping arcades, Kichijoji deserves to be more than just a stopover along the road.
About the Kichijoji Station of Tokyo, Japan - Layout/Map, Station Exits, Etc.
Conveniently enough, the area of Kichijoji can easily be accessed through the JR East which serves the Kichijoji Station, or the Kichijoji-eki. The station can be found on the Chuo Main Line and is accessible from nearly any other place in Tokyo, including Shibuya and Shinjuku.
The station layout of the JR East is made up of a couple of elevated platforms that serve four different tracks. These platforms include the Chuo Rapid Line for Tokyo and Shinjuku, the Chuo Rapid Line for Takao, Hachioji, and Tachikawa, the Chuo-Sobu Line for Chiba and Shinjuku, and the Chuo Sobu Line for Mitaka.
Adjacent stations of the Kichijoji Station on the Chuo Rapid Line include the Shinjuku Station and the Nishi-Ogikubo Station, while only the Nishi-Ogikubo Station on the Chuo-Sobu Line.
Getting to the Haneda International Airport or Shinjuku from the Kichijoji Station (Vice Versa)
Tourists coming from the Haneda International Airport can make their way to Kichijoji by initially taking the Tokyo Monorail, transferring to the Yamanote Railway Line, and finally getting on the Chuo Line. This route typically takes a little over an hour of travel time and costs nearly 1,000 yen per person, one-way.
Alternatively, the route can be made shorter for the same price by about six minutes by transferring to the Keihintohoku Line instead of the Yamanote Line.
For those that will be coming from Shinjuku, the Kichijoji Station is just 3 stations away from the Shinjuku Station on the Chuo Line. The one-way trip usually takes just twelve minutes of travel time and costs a total of 220 yen per person.
A train on the Chuo-Sobu Line may also be taken from the Shinjuku Station to the Kichijoji Station. This route features more stops and takes about 5 minutes longer than the other route but costs the same.
Things to do in/near Kichijoji Station – Ghibli Museum, Shopping, Dining, Etc.
Once at the Kichijoji Station, tourists can begin to enjoy a wide array of activities without even going that far away. Some of the notable points of interest to keep in mind include:
Inokashira Koen Park
Inokashira Koen Park serves as the main attraction of Kichijoji. Tourists can easily locate it by exiting through the Park Exit of the Kichijoji Station and simply follow the other crowds of tourists making their way down the Inokashira-dori.
During weekdays, the park is usually a peaceful place to be at to simply enjoy the quiet atmosphere of Kichijoji and its natural beauty. On weekends, various entertainers and a few arts and craft stores bring in a lot of fun and excitement to the area. There is also a small zoo located on the property for tourists to explore.
Address: 1 Gotenyama, 1 Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 180-0005
Ghibli Museum
The Ghibli Museum, as implied by its name, is dedicated to showcasing all there is to the Studio Ghibli, a popular Japanese animation company. Similar to the unique and interesting style the company makes use of for its various productions, the museum is also designed to carry the same characteristics that have defined Studio Ghibli.
Fans of the studio’s work should make it a point to include a visit to the Ghibli Museum at all costs.
Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, daily
Address: 1-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 181-0013
Yuzawaya
Yuzawaya refers to a massive shopping complex located right beside the Kichijoji Station. Three of its floors are dedicated to toys, while others house different store including fabric retailers, souvenir shops, and quirky boutiques.
Address: 2-1-25 Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 180-0003
Onao
Onao, which refers to a shop located on the 4th floor of the Loft building, offers visitors with an extensive collection of traditional Japanese paper. The store also has a number of interesting souvenir items that cannot be found anywhere else in Kichijoji.
Address: 1-10-1 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 180-0004
Yodobashi Camera
Yodobashi Camera is one of the most popular electronics store chains in Japan. Kichijoji is home to one of its many branches and offers visitors with a wide range of gadgets and household appliances that are available for relatively cheap prices.
Address: 1-19-1 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 180-0004
Bubuka
Bubuka is an excellent ramen restaurant that can be found just a few steps away from the South Exit of the Kichijoji Station. The specialty of the store is its abura soba dish, which offers a pleasant break from the typical salty noodle dishes available in most of Japan’s restaurants.
The dish actually does not come with a soup but includes everything else that is usually included in ramen dishes, i.e. pork slices, egg, and green onions.
Address: 1-7-1 Kichijojihoncho, Musashino, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 180-0004
Hotels in/near Kichijoji, Japan
The area of Kichijoji makes up a part of the Musashino City, alongside other neighborhoods. A large portion of Musashino City consists of residential properties, meaning that tourists only have a number of hotel options to choose from. The ones that can be located near the Kichijoji Station include:
Kichijoji Daiichi Hotel
The Kichijoji Daiichi Hotel is among the best options for tourists traveling within a budget. Each of its Western-style rooms follows a comfortable and cozy design that uses a lot of green colors to give the space a touch of nature.
Some of the most popular facilities and services provided by the Kichijoji Daiichi Hotel include non-smoking rooms, an on-site restaurant that serves Japanese and Western cuisines, free WiFi connection, a 24/7 front desk, currency exchange services, a souvenir shop, and a fun bowling area.
Rating: 8.2 out of 10
Access: 6-minute walk away from the Kichijoji Station; 15-minute walk away from the Inokashira Park Zoo; 20-minute walk away from the Mitaka Station and the Ghibli Museum; 20-minute train ride away from Shibuya and Shinjuku
Address: 2-4-14 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 181-0004
Kichijoji Tokyu REI Hotel
The Kichijoji Tokyu REI Hotel houses modern rooms and facilities that are sure to make any tourists trip all the more memorable. Guests can expect their rooms to come complete with a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, electric kettle, refrigerator, and adequate air-conditioning and heating systems.
Every morning, the on-site restaurant, Inokashira Kisshou Dining, offers a buffet-style arrangement, while Western dishes are made available during lunch and dinner.
Of course, guests can enjoy free WiFi connection all throughout the property. Other services offered by the Kichijoji Tokyu REI Hotel include massages, luggage storage, laundry, and meeting/event room rentals. There are also several parking spaces available for guests which may be availed through a reservation and cost about 1,300 yen per day.
Rating: 8.1 out of 10
Access: Short walk away from the JR Kichijoji Station and the Inokashira Park Zoo; 15-minute train ride away from Shibuya and Shinjuku; 20-minute walk away from the Ghibli Museum; 60-minute car ride away from the Haneda International Airport; 90-minute car ride away from the Narita International Airport.
Address: 1-6-3 Kichijojiminami, Musashino-shi, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 180-0003
Mitaka City Hotel
Mitaka City Hotel is among the most praised hotels in Mitaka by foreign travelers for its excellent facilities and outstanding customer service. It is conveniently located just a few minutes away from the Mitaka Station and less than fifteen minutes away from the Ghibli Museum by foot.
All of its rooms feature carpeted floors and are fitted with a private bathroom that comes complete with a shower and bathtub. As with other hotels, an electric kettle, refrigerator, and flat-screen TV can be found in each room of the Mitaka City Hotel.
Although smoking is not allowed in any of the rooms, the hotel has its own designated smoking area to make the stay of guests all the more convenient.
Rating: 5.6 out of 10
Access: 6-minute walk away from the Mitaka Station; 12-minute walk away from the Ghibli Museum; 40-minute train ride away from the Tokyo Station; 65-minute train ride away from the Yokohama Station; 70-minute train ride away from the Haneda International Airport
Address: 3-21-5 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 181-0013
Richmond Hotel Tokyo Musashino
Richmond Hotel Tokyo Musashino is known for its modern facilities and charmingly simple guestrooms. During the year 2014, the Richmond Hotel Tokyo Musashino was awarded with the Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor. Since then, the hotel’s services has not faltered one bit and has only continued to improve according to the demands of their guests.
Some of the most popular facilities/services provided by the Richmond Hotel Tokyo Musashino include 24/7 front desk, free WiFi connection, an on-site, buffet-style restaurant known as Sizzler, luggage storage services coin-operated launderettes, and daily maid services.
Rating: 8.3 out of 10
Access: 6-minute walk away from the JR Mitaka Station; 10-minute car ride away from the Inokashira Park Zoo and the Ghibli Museum; 10-minute train ride and walk away from the Kichijoji Station; 40-minute train ride away from the Tokyo Station; 75-minute train ride away from the Haneda International Airport; 90-minute train ride away from the Narita International Airport
Address: 2-4-1 Naka-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 180-0006
Delafino
Delafino is a 2-star hotel that is situated in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward. Tourists following a tight budget may want to consider renting a room for the night at this hotel to be able to get more than their money’s worth.
Each room offered by Delafino features a proper air-conditioning and heating system, a private bathroom with a bathtub, free WiFi connection, and other facilities guaranteed to make one’s stay as convenient and comfortable as possible.
Rating: 6.0 out of 10
Access: 2-minute walk away from the Nishi-Ogikubo Station; 3-minute train ride away from the Kichijoji Station; 6-minute train ride away from the Mitaka Station; 30-minute train ride away from the Tokyo Station; 50-minute car ride away from the Haneda International Airport
Address: 3-14-6 Suginami-ku Nishiogiminai, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 167-0053
Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Ogikubo
Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Ogikubo, as implied by its name, offers guests with capsule rooms. These unique, compact rooms come complete with free WiFi connection, a Simmons mattress, an alarm clock, and a flat-screen TV.
Other facilities of the hotel include a hot spring bath, a lounge where massage chairs and vending machines can be found, a printing & photocopying area, a gift shop, and a launderette section.
Each guest is provided with a free breakfast every morning of their stay which features a Japanese-style curry dish. During the later hours of the day, the on-site restaurant serves various Japanese dishes and alcoholic beverages.
Rating: 8.8 out of 10
Access: 4-minute walk away from the Ogikubo Station; 8-minute train ride away from the Kichijoji Station; 30-minute train ride away from the Meiji Jingu Shrine and the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Address: 1-11-2 Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 167-0043
Smile Hotel Tokyo Asagaya
Smile Hotel Tokyo Asagaya is among the hotels that are located a bit farther away from the Kichijoji Station. It is actually within a closer proximity to the JR Asagaya Station, which is just a 6-minute ride away from the Kichijoji Station.
The hotel offers brightly-lit rooms that feature a Western-style setup and are equipped with the basic necessities tourists will need for their entire stay, i.e. free WiFi connection, electric kettles, refrigerators, and flat-screen TVs.
For the convenience of guests, the Smile Hotel Tokyo Asagaya also provides parking spaces (1,500 yen per day), non-smoking rooms, 24/7 front desk, luggage storage services, laundry, and free use of bikes.
Rating: 7.3 out of 10
Access: 6-minute train ride away from the Kichijoji Station; 9-minute train ride away from the Shinjuku Station; 25-minute train ride away from the Shibuya Station; Harajuku Station, and Tokyo Station.
Address: 3-37-11 Asagayaminami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 166-0004
For tourists who want to try something out of the norm, there are also several apartments scattered throughout the area which may be rented out for a night or two. Some highly recommended apartments that can be found on online booking sites such as TripAdvisor or Booking.com include those handled by the Funkey Tokyo Apartment, Tokyo Faminect Apartment, and Japan Lifestyle Apartment.