✨ FREE GUIDE ✨ Kichijoji (West Tokyo) ☆ +25 Locations
I spent years living in this West Tokyo area called Kichijoji. It has it all: sprawling parks, shopping, standing bars, lantern packed alleys, and tons of local feeling.
This is a free guide, and a peek into what my paid guides have to offer.
Information about the popular local spots, off the beaten path finds, and cafes, coffee shops, street food, desserts... there is something for everybody!
You can use this guide over a few days or multiple visits to Japan, there is just too much to tackle in one day.
26 Places • 840 Saves • ago
Free
🔊 Check out my personal voice note on Kichijoji below 👇
Add to
Details
Izakayas, Restaurants, Savoury Snacks
The above picture is from Minmin~
Minmin
@kingkogi
A famous Chinese style ramen shop, but the gyoza and fried rice are what shines. Line ups for take away gyoza outside, and a quick moving line-up for inside seating.
Add to
Details
Bakawarai Junsui
@kingkogi
One of the first izakayas I ever experienced after moving to Kichijoji. Super welcoming, hilarious staff, and epic food. The locals are friendly here and expect some happy drunken conversation as everyone unwinds.
Lineups on the weekend, so try stopping by mid-week.
No english menu, but just tell the chef what you like, they're great. I recommend the egg roll with soft pork (tamagoyaki) the sashimi of the day, the potato salad, and the yaki-soba (stir fried noodles with egg). The sake selction is top-tier, enjoy a few cups and tell them Martina sent you!
Add to
Details
Yakitori Tecchan
@kingkogi
A bumping alleyway izakaya. This open concept shop serves grilled meat and a unique extra, grilled lamb chops!
Try a "lemon-sour" to cut through the meat if you drink alcohol, and small veggie items are also available. Great vibe and super duper photographable.
Add to
Details
Shiraishi
@kingkogi
Off the beaten path, this is a deep find homemade Udon shop. One of my favs, the staff is so lovely, and they have the most imaginative dishes. The seasonal udon can range from local veg, to kimchi pork, to unusual tempura.
Glass bottles of delicious plum wine, umeshu, and sake available too, which is not usual at an udon shop.
Add to
Details
Sushi Go-Round Restaurant
@kingkogi
There are many conveyor belt sushi shops, but they are not all delicious. This is one of my FAVS! The fish is super yummy, fresh, and cheap. Great for a snack or a full dinner.
Add to
Details
Satou Kichijōji
@kingkogi
Upstairs is a steak restaurant, downstairs is a butcher shop selling deep fried MAGIC> The menchi-katsu, a deep fried beef ball with chopped onions. ...it is SO SO SO GOOD! Weekends are very busy, pop on by mid-week. They start serving them after 10:30am
Add to
Details
Coffee and Cafes
The above photo is from Light Up Coffee ☕️
LIGHT UP COFFEE
@kingkogi
Delicious hand drip coffee, espresso based beverages, and a neat vibe. I recommend the three cup tasting set if you're a fan of coffee, you can try and compare different bean varieties and their skills are top tier.
Sit inside, on the steps outside, or in the park across the street.
Add to
Details
SIDEWALK COFFEE INOKASHIRA
@kingkogi
Located inside the popular Inokashira Park, this shop serves delicious coffee but also draft beer, freshly baked in house pastries, breads, and more. It is SO yummy, I used to come here all the time to have a beer and bread and just read upstairs. The view is so soothing, you can see the train pass by and all the park occupants passing as well.
Add to
Details
Blackwell Coffee
@kingkogi
A teeny tiny shop! The owner is such a nice man, he makes a delicious hand drip coffee, and coffee jelly in the summertime! Try the red-bean based sweets and the pound cake if you're snackish.
Add to
Details
Café du Lièvre (Bunny House)
@kingkogi
Japanese curries in a charming cafe with vintage furniture & a view of the park! Bunny House also serves up sweet and savoury crepes, but be aware, it is a popular place on the weekend.
Add to
Details
Ryumon coffee stand
@kingkogi
Off the beaten path, this quirky two-story coffee shop serves up EPIC espresso based beverages as well as chai lattes, hot chocolate, hoji cha lattes, and original sodas and tonics.
They also have a delicious desserts menu as: honey butter toast, cheese cake, tiramisu, fudge brownies, and loaves. The upstairs seating area is like being in someone’s home.
Add to
Details
Blue Sky Coffee
@kingkogi
NOTE: This is NOT a place to take photos, this quaint inner-park coffee shop DOES NOT like people shoving cameras in their face.
They post many signs saying this, so it's best to enjoy their delicious coffee, warm mulled wine, and other offerings in the moment. There are no seats, it's just take out, so find yourself a nice park bench and get your people watching on.
I have personally never had a problem with this shop nor the barista, they are lovely people that simply don’t want to be photographed constantly.
Add to
Details
Dessert and Sweets
姫乃杏仁 吉祥寺本店
@kingkogi
A tofu dessert shop serving elegant "almond tofu" in various ways. You can also enjoy it take out, and they also offer a pastry and ice cream combo.
Add to
Details
Amane Taiyaki
@kingkogi
Located in the backstreets if Kichijoji Harmonica Alley, this little shop serves up Taiyaki, a fish shaped waffle stuffed with various sweets.
The traditonal is sweet, red bean paste, but they also have custard and matcha bean paste!
Try the “dango” rice dumplings too, they are excellent. You can choose from three different flavours.
All these items are less than 200yen a piece.
Add to
Details
Hara Donuts Kichijōji Shop
@kingkogi
Dairy free donuts made with tofu pulp! Not quite a traditional yeast donut, more like a delicious cake-loaf. I LOVE the simple toppings, the cinnamon-sugar is my fav, but the seasonal donut is always an interesting treat. Enjoy the small park across the street while you eat them, or grab a coffee at Light Up Coffee next door. They have no problem with the donuts in their shop!
Add to
Details
Shopping
Kichijōji Loft
@kingkogi
Loft is a famous multi-level shop selling just everything! Mugs, plates, stuffed toys, stickers, stationary, beauty supplies... this is a one-stop shop!
Add to
Details
3COINS
@kingkogi
Located in the basement B1 of the department store directly attached to Kichijoji Station. It can be a bit confusing to find, because the building is divided into three sections, but once you get to the basement (there is a grocery store that you might have to walk through) you're on the right path!
This shop has SO many cute household goods, jewelry, hair stuff, and much more at a super reasonable price. You'll either thank me or hate me when you find it! Haha.
Add to
Details
Daisō Kichijōji Sun Road
@kingkogi
Located in a sneaky spot, take Sun Road shopping street and the DAISO is located upstairs.
Look for the big shoe store, and just to the right of it there is an escalator leading upstairs.
Add to
Details
HARD OFF KICHIJOJI
@kingkogi
Second hand video game systems, instruments, electronics, records, and more. I’ve found quite a few treasures here.
Add to
Details
Video Games, Crane Games, and Capsule Toys
Plaza Capcom Kichijōji
@kingkogi
An excellent arcade with video games, crane machines, Japanese drum games, and more! It’s hiding in the basement of Kichijoji Loft, head downstairs to B1
Add to
Details
Special Locations
The below photo is a shot I took of two favourite izakayas in Harmonica Yokocho. The left one leads upstairs to a little grannies shop, the right one serves oden and plays punk music.
Harmonica Yokocho
@kingkogi
Several layers of narrow backstreet brimming with restaurants, shops, local grocery stores, and bars.
Add to
Details
Inokashira Park
@kingkogi
Inokashira Park (井の頭恩賜公園, Inokashira Onshi Kōen) has a large lake filled with lots of adorable wildlife as well as gorgeous bridges. The whole park is surrounded by cherry blossom trees during spring, and the plum trees bloom early.
There is a petting zoo with a famous Guinea pig area with an adorable bride parade as they head back home to their hutches for the night. You can also pet the Guinea pigs and just be happy.
Add to
Details
Gessōji Temple
@kingkogi
This temple makes a sudden appearance as you walk along a busy shopping street. Local festivals take place here if you’re lucky enough to arrive during a festival time.
Add to
Details
Ghibli Museum
@kingkogi
Tickets must be purchased in advance to enter. I’ve included a link to the English website to purchase tickets 🎟️
Photography and videography is not allowed while inside the museum, and that makes it EXTRA engaging and magical.
Tiny doors and little details hide all over this museum, which is much more like an art exhibition.
The gift shop is usually packed, but there are lots of items for fans to buy, including dishware, toys, stationary, and the movies with English and Japanese on DVD.
Add to
Details
Straw Hat Cafe (Ghibli Museum Cafe)
@kingkogi
Only accessible to those who have tickets to the Ghibli Museum, this little cafe is often skipped over. It has lots of delicious themed Ghibli film food, and it is actually quite tasty. The inside of the cafe is also, adorable!
Add to
Details
* * *
CURATED BY
👑🐷 こんにちは~ I'm Martina Sazunic, known as King Kogi on YouTube.
From Toronto (Canada) I've been living in Asia since 2008, and for last 7 years, I've been living and exploring Japan 🔎 I love finding off-the-beaten path locations and local food finds.
🗺 You can use my Digital Travel Guides to confidently explore Japan knowing you've got one of my hand-picked spots nearby.
Get a taste for the kind of places I'll include in my digital guides by watching my Tokyo Tours, Osaka Tours, Yokohama Tours for free on King Kogi YouTube.
My guides always include a wide range of restaurants:
izakayas 🍶
ramen/udon 🍜
sushi 🍣
coffee ☕️
cafes 🍵
street food 🥟
bistros 🍝
curry 🍛
vegetarian/vegan 🌱
snacks 🍡
dessert 🍧
local craft beer 🍺
secret bars 🥃
As well as popular (and hidden) parks, temples, shrines, museums, shopping spots, interesting finds, and more ⛩
If you're feeling overwhelmed with planning a visit to Japan, the Tokyo Mega Guide covers over 100+ spots and features all the tourist hit list locations and my off-the-beaten path finds too. It also includes a Japanese language and culture guide!
PERSONALIZED TRAVEl SERVICES
Connect
with
a
local
expert
to
help
plan
your
ideal
trip
Send A Tip
Support King Kogi’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
✨ FREE GUIDE ✨ Kichijoji (West Tokyo) ☆ +25 Locations
I spent years living in this West Tokyo area called Kichijoji. It has it all: sprawling parks, shopping, standing bars, lantern packed alleys, and tons of local feeling.
This is a free guide, and a peek into what my paid guides have to offer.
Information about the popular local spots, off the beaten path finds, and cafes, coffee shops, street food, desserts... there is something for everybody!
You can use this guide over a few days or multiple visits to Japan, there is just too much to tackle in one day.
26 Places • 840 Saves • ago
Free
🔊 Check out my personal voice note on Kichijoji below 👇
Add to
Details
Izakayas, Restaurants, Savoury Snacks
The above picture is from Minmin~
Minmin
@kingkogi
A famous Chinese style ramen shop, but the gyoza and fried rice are what shines. Line ups for take away gyoza outside, and a quick moving line-up for inside seating.
Add to
Details
Bakawarai Junsui
@kingkogi
One of the first izakayas I ever experienced after moving to Kichijoji. Super welcoming, hilarious staff, and epic food. The locals are friendly here and expect some happy drunken conversation as everyone unwinds.
Lineups on the weekend, so try stopping by mid-week.
No english menu, but just tell the chef what you like, they're great. I recommend the egg roll with soft pork (tamagoyaki) the sashimi of the day, the potato salad, and the yaki-soba (stir fried noodles with egg). The sake selction is top-tier, enjoy a few cups and tell them Martina sent you!
Add to
Details
Yakitori Tecchan
@kingkogi
A bumping alleyway izakaya. This open concept shop serves grilled meat and a unique extra, grilled lamb chops!
Try a "lemon-sour" to cut through the meat if you drink alcohol, and small veggie items are also available. Great vibe and super duper photographable.
Add to
Details
Shiraishi
@kingkogi
Off the beaten path, this is a deep find homemade Udon shop. One of my favs, the staff is so lovely, and they have the most imaginative dishes. The seasonal udon can range from local veg, to kimchi pork, to unusual tempura.
Glass bottles of delicious plum wine, umeshu, and sake available too, which is not usual at an udon shop.
Add to
Details
Sushi Go-Round Restaurant
@kingkogi
There are many conveyor belt sushi shops, but they are not all delicious. This is one of my FAVS! The fish is super yummy, fresh, and cheap. Great for a snack or a full dinner.
Add to
Details
Satou Kichijōji
@kingkogi
Upstairs is a steak restaurant, downstairs is a butcher shop selling deep fried MAGIC> The menchi-katsu, a deep fried beef ball with chopped onions. ...it is SO SO SO GOOD! Weekends are very busy, pop on by mid-week. They start serving them after 10:30am
Add to
Details
Coffee and Cafes
The above photo is from Light Up Coffee ☕️
LIGHT UP COFFEE
@kingkogi
Delicious hand drip coffee, espresso based beverages, and a neat vibe. I recommend the three cup tasting set if you're a fan of coffee, you can try and compare different bean varieties and their skills are top tier.
Sit inside, on the steps outside, or in the park across the street.
Add to
Details
SIDEWALK COFFEE INOKASHIRA
@kingkogi
Located inside the popular Inokashira Park, this shop serves delicious coffee but also draft beer, freshly baked in house pastries, breads, and more. It is SO yummy, I used to come here all the time to have a beer and bread and just read upstairs. The view is so soothing, you can see the train pass by and all the park occupants passing as well.
Add to
Details
Blackwell Coffee
@kingkogi
A teeny tiny shop! The owner is such a nice man, he makes a delicious hand drip coffee, and coffee jelly in the summertime! Try the red-bean based sweets and the pound cake if you're snackish.
Add to
Details
Café du Lièvre (Bunny House)
@kingkogi
Japanese curries in a charming cafe with vintage furniture & a view of the park! Bunny House also serves up sweet and savoury crepes, but be aware, it is a popular place on the weekend.
Add to
Details
Ryumon coffee stand
@kingkogi
Off the beaten path, this quirky two-story coffee shop serves up EPIC espresso based beverages as well as chai lattes, hot chocolate, hoji cha lattes, and original sodas and tonics.
They also have a delicious desserts menu as: honey butter toast, cheese cake, tiramisu, fudge brownies, and loaves. The upstairs seating area is like being in someone’s home.
Add to
Details
Blue Sky Coffee
@kingkogi
NOTE: This is NOT a place to take photos, this quaint inner-park coffee shop DOES NOT like people shoving cameras in their face.
They post many signs saying this, so it's best to enjoy their delicious coffee, warm mulled wine, and other offerings in the moment. There are no seats, it's just take out, so find yourself a nice park bench and get your people watching on.
I have personally never had a problem with this shop nor the barista, they are lovely people that simply don’t want to be photographed constantly.
Add to
Details
Dessert and Sweets
姫乃杏仁 吉祥寺本店
@kingkogi
A tofu dessert shop serving elegant "almond tofu" in various ways. You can also enjoy it take out, and they also offer a pastry and ice cream combo.
Add to
Details
Amane Taiyaki
@kingkogi
Located in the backstreets if Kichijoji Harmonica Alley, this little shop serves up Taiyaki, a fish shaped waffle stuffed with various sweets.
The traditonal is sweet, red bean paste, but they also have custard and matcha bean paste!
Try the “dango” rice dumplings too, they are excellent. You can choose from three different flavours.
All these items are less than 200yen a piece.
Add to
Details
Hara Donuts Kichijōji Shop
@kingkogi
Dairy free donuts made with tofu pulp! Not quite a traditional yeast donut, more like a delicious cake-loaf. I LOVE the simple toppings, the cinnamon-sugar is my fav, but the seasonal donut is always an interesting treat. Enjoy the small park across the street while you eat them, or grab a coffee at Light Up Coffee next door. They have no problem with the donuts in their shop!
Add to
Details
Shopping
Kichijōji Loft
@kingkogi
Loft is a famous multi-level shop selling just everything! Mugs, plates, stuffed toys, stickers, stationary, beauty supplies... this is a one-stop shop!
Add to
Details
3COINS
@kingkogi
Located in the basement B1 of the department store directly attached to Kichijoji Station. It can be a bit confusing to find, because the building is divided into three sections, but once you get to the basement (there is a grocery store that you might have to walk through) you're on the right path!
This shop has SO many cute household goods, jewelry, hair stuff, and much more at a super reasonable price. You'll either thank me or hate me when you find it! Haha.
Add to
Details
Daisō Kichijōji Sun Road
@kingkogi
Located in a sneaky spot, take Sun Road shopping street and the DAISO is located upstairs.
Look for the big shoe store, and just to the right of it there is an escalator leading upstairs.
Add to
Details
HARD OFF KICHIJOJI
@kingkogi
Second hand video game systems, instruments, electronics, records, and more. I’ve found quite a few treasures here.
Add to
Details
Video Games, Crane Games, and Capsule Toys
Plaza Capcom Kichijōji
@kingkogi
An excellent arcade with video games, crane machines, Japanese drum games, and more! It’s hiding in the basement of Kichijoji Loft, head downstairs to B1
Add to
Details
Special Locations
The below photo is a shot I took of two favourite izakayas in Harmonica Yokocho. The left one leads upstairs to a little grannies shop, the right one serves oden and plays punk music.
Harmonica Yokocho
@kingkogi
Several layers of narrow backstreet brimming with restaurants, shops, local grocery stores, and bars.
Add to
Details
Inokashira Park
@kingkogi
Inokashira Park (井の頭恩賜公園, Inokashira Onshi Kōen) has a large lake filled with lots of adorable wildlife as well as gorgeous bridges. The whole park is surrounded by cherry blossom trees during spring, and the plum trees bloom early.
There is a petting zoo with a famous Guinea pig area with an adorable bride parade as they head back home to their hutches for the night. You can also pet the Guinea pigs and just be happy.
Add to
Details
Gessōji Temple
@kingkogi
This temple makes a sudden appearance as you walk along a busy shopping street. Local festivals take place here if you’re lucky enough to arrive during a festival time.
Add to
Details
Ghibli Museum
@kingkogi
Tickets must be purchased in advance to enter. I’ve included a link to the English website to purchase tickets 🎟️
Photography and videography is not allowed while inside the museum, and that makes it EXTRA engaging and magical.
Tiny doors and little details hide all over this museum, which is much more like an art exhibition.
The gift shop is usually packed, but there are lots of items for fans to buy, including dishware, toys, stationary, and the movies with English and Japanese on DVD.
Add to
Details
Straw Hat Cafe (Ghibli Museum Cafe)
@kingkogi
Only accessible to those who have tickets to the Ghibli Museum, this little cafe is often skipped over. It has lots of delicious themed Ghibli film food, and it is actually quite tasty. The inside of the cafe is also, adorable!
Add to
Details
* * *
CURATED BY
👑🐷 こんにちは~ I'm Martina Sazunic, known as King Kogi on YouTube.
From Toronto (Canada) I've been living in Asia since 2008, and for last 7 years, I've been living and exploring Japan 🔎 I love finding off-the-beaten path locations and local food finds.
🗺 You can use my Digital Travel Guides to confidently explore Japan knowing you've got one of my hand-picked spots nearby.
Get a taste for the kind of places I'll include in my digital guides by watching my Tokyo Tours, Osaka Tours, Yokohama Tours for free on King Kogi YouTube.
My guides always include a wide range of restaurants:
izakayas 🍶
ramen/udon 🍜
sushi 🍣
coffee ☕️
cafes 🍵
street food 🥟
bistros 🍝
curry 🍛
vegetarian/vegan 🌱
snacks 🍡
dessert 🍧
local craft beer 🍺
secret bars 🥃
As well as popular (and hidden) parks, temples, shrines, museums, shopping spots, interesting finds, and more ⛩
If you're feeling overwhelmed with planning a visit to Japan, the Tokyo Mega Guide covers over 100+ spots and features all the tourist hit list locations and my off-the-beaten path finds too. It also includes a Japanese language and culture guide!
PERSONALIZED TRAVEl SERVICES
Connect
with
a
local
expert
to
help
plan
your
ideal
trip
Send A Tip
Support King Kogi’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount