Food
Cafe du Lievre in Inokashira Park
Sarah MathewsCafe du Lievre is great little cafe on the edge of Inokashira Park.
Inokashira Park is an impressive natural oasis that extends between the Musashino and Mitaka suburbs in western Tokyo. Nestled in the bustling city, this hidden gem is a popular spot among Tokyoites thanks to its lush greenery, calm vibes, and leisurely activities. The park’s sports fields and cafes also make it an ideal meeting spot. For tourists, the park is most well known for being home to the Ghibli Museum. Do not pass up the opportunity to visit this over 100-year-old expanse of greenery when exploring Tokyo.
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Of course, one of the park’s claims to fame is the Ghibli Museum. Located on the southwestern side of the park, the museum is a must-visit for Studio Ghibli fans. The entire facility, from its design to its exhibits, evokes the nostalgia and magical essence of the famed animation studio. Be sure to book tickets in advance before visiting the museum.
Extending across the majority of the park’s northern section is Inokashira Pond. Rent a rowboat, paddle boat, or swan boat to cruise through the clear waters where you can admire the foliage and low hanging limbs during all seasons. If you are not into boating, enjoy a waterside picnic or leisurely stroll.
From late March through early April, the park’s roughly 500 cherry blossom trees bloom, decorating the park in pastel pink. Lay out a blanket by Inokashira Pond and admire the delicate petals against the water. Do not be surprised to see the park packed with lively residents and visitors celebrating with food and drinks. Be sure to stake out a spot early or visit the park on a weekday for a less crowded experience.
Benzaiten Shrine is a small shrine along the banks of Inokashira Pond dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of music, literature, wisdom, wealth, and good fortune. Visit the shrine for a cultural experience, as well as an aesthetic one; and admire its vermillion coloring against the surrounding trees and water.
Inokashira Park Zoo is a small-but-impressive facility that boasts both a zoo area and an aquatic life park. In the zoo, observe native Japanese species as well as international ones, and even cuddle with guinea pigs! The Aquatic Life Park, located on Inokashira Pond, is home to water bird exhibits and a superb aquarium. Apart from the animals, the Park Zoo also includes a sculpture museum, traditional Japanese house, and mini amusement park.
Inokashira Park is a quick 5-minute walk from Kichijoji Station on the JR Chuo Line or 1-minute walk from Inokashira-kōen Station on the Keio Inokashira Line.
Cafe du Lievre is great little cafe on the edge of Inokashira Park.
Situated close to Kichijoji Station, the park is popular all-year round, especially during Spring to see the cherry blossoms and party.
A ten-minute walk from Kichijoji Station is the Inokashira Park Zoo. Attractions include the Squirrel Trail, Wild Bird Forest and Aquatic Life House.
Enjoy boating, hiking, flea market, & street performers at Inokashira Park in Kichijoji.
![Inokashira Kitchen [Closed]](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/31027-155949/360x240!/tokyo-inokashira-kitchen-155949.jpg "Inokashira Kitchen [Closed]")
Come visit Inokashira Kitchen in Kichijoji, a new wave western style restaurant that has a great atmosphere and delicious food
Mitaka City is famous for locations like the Ghibli Museum and Inokashira Park. Its history and landmarks include the Grave of Osamu Dazai, the Michishirube Road Marker, the Nakata Yoshinao Monument and historic building, Taizanso.
Musashino City may be famous for Inokashira Park but the city has much history and many landmarks. These include the Hanako Elephant Statue, the Musashino Clean Center, the World Federal Peace Statue and the Former Anti-Aircraft Gun Positions in Sekimae.
The Ghibli Museum is Japan’s must-see spot for fans of the highly acclaimed films produced by Hayao Miyazaki. Opened in 2001, the museum welcomes excited visitors to the peaceful, Ghibli-esqu...
Oakhouse Social Residence Koganei in Tokyo's Koganei suburb is a share house that offers long-term residence to both Japanese and international residents.
With Koenji being a "creative town" it's no surprise that the BnA Hotel opened there in 2016 and has had, subsequently, an incredible impact on the local community. BnA (Bed and Art) has other spaces dotted about Tokyo and Kyoto, but the Koenji edition is possibly more immersive as the concept is "stay in an artwork." In collaboration with local artists, the BnA has created an impressive multi-storey art experiment for art lovers and creatives with a desire to inhabit art. The first floor acts as a front desk and bar which comes alive at night with events and selected DJs. It also hosts Masu Masu onigiri cafe with artists being asked to come and exchange artwork with each other in a gesture which reflects the true spirit of Koenji. With two "living art" twin rooms taking up the second and third floors designed by a seasonal rotation of local artists, guests can engage with and inhabit their art rooms. BnA Koenji also plays host to a rooftop lounge and a basement space which is used for artists residencies where their work is shown to the public and a DJ booth and streaming equipment for live performances. With live painting events and an eclectic variety of regular events, the BnA Hotel becomes, itself, a living canvas. The BnA believes that it's a machigata hotel, meaning that guests should (and are encouraged) to interact with Koenji. Use the public sentos, eat in the local restaurants that surround the hotel and buy locally from the multitude of shops, market stalls, bars and cafes which make-up the fabric of Koenji. Feted by international press such as The Guardian, BnA acts as a creative network with the concept of serendipity being discussed as the bar becomes an ad hoc meeting place where collaborations and friendships between artists and locals are born. The BnA was also instrumental in a street art festival named MCP (Mural City Project) which was supported by Suginami Ward. MCP was incredibly ambitious and truly communal with the desire to transform and coalesce the community through the creation of public murals. The BnA, Koenji and Suginami spearheaded a public art movement which should be commended and replicated throughout Tokyo.
Staying in suburban Tokyo is a more peaceful and less expensive alternative to staying in the heart of the busy city.
Harmonica Allee is located in the trendy area of Kichijoji and is a section of local izakaya bars that are only a few minutes' walk from the train station. The alleys of Harmonica Allee are narrow and at the same time full of life. There you can find fashion, local market traders, which are open during the day, as well as izakayas and pubs that can be visited until late at night. Since the 1990s, Harmonica Allee has been very popular, especially among the locals, for its stand-up bars with inexpensive snacks in the late evening. The area was named for the way this tight tangle of restaurants, shops, and bars resembles a harmonica. It can get full quickly, but it definitely never gets uncomfortable!
Re:gendo is a cafe, apparel and arts and crafts store found in the quaint backstreets of Nishi-Ogikubo, just a few minutes from the station. It embodies everything about Shimane prefecture, capturing the essence of its history, culture and beauty that help inspire everything on offer here. Located in a spectacular wooden structure, which is said to be around 90 years old, Re:gendo is an homage to Shimane and the staff and owners take great care to display the cultural history of their beloved homeland. It’s a curious space, layed out over two floors. It acts as a thriving restaurant, apparel store, arts and crafts shop and a workshop space which focuses on teaching craftsmanship and culinary skills. The cafe recognizes the nuances involved in Shimane produce such as rice which it uses for its extremely popular, seasonal lunch menus musubi zen and nigiri zen. Musubi zen consists of a main fish or meat dish while nigiri showcases vegetable nigiri sushi. Both courses come with accompaniments including vegetables, pickles and miso soup. The ingredients at Re:gendo are sourced locally in Toyo or from Shimane. The cafe also does a fine collection of sweets (Shimane folk are particularly fond of wagashi or traditional Japanese confectionery). The apparel and crafts section, situated on the first floor adjacent to the cafe includes a range of arts and crafts from Shimane and a curated fashion line which uses a type of non-toxic dye from Shimane so it’s safer for pregnant women or customers with allergies. The second floor hosts regular workshops about local craftsmanship and cuisine. Visitors from all over the world come and participate in workshops and learn the intricacies involved in Shimane’s abundance of specialities. Re:gendo acts, then, as a local hub and a popular attraction for many of Tokyo’s Shimane transplants. Refined, cultured, respectful of ancient traditions and friendly, it should be considered an essential stop on any visit to Nishi-Ogikubo.
Ramen has become a global cuisine over the past decade with ramen-ya popping up in cities all over the globe. Millions of visitors, however, flock to Japan every year to experience the real deal. Harukiya, located a few minutes from JR Ogikubo Station, is a Tokyo institution. Established in 1949 it is the originator of Tokyo-style ramen which uses niboshi (dried baby sardines) in its broth and has been serving up first-class soy sauce which hasn’t changed for more than 70 years and has, rightly, earned it a legion of devotees. Although Harukiya has a sister branch in nearby Kichijoji, the Ogikubo store is the original and takes great pride in creating its authentic Tokyo-style chuka soba as well as chashumen and wontonmen. The aroma from the ramen floats into the outside streets having a visible effect on the patrons who queue daily to get their hands on Harukiya’s mouth-watering ramen. Popular with Ogikubo residents and foreign ramen aficionados, Harukiya has a small, curated menu with toppings, cold noodles and a few side dishes which accompany the ramen. Harukiya has led the Tokyo ramen industry for generations and there’s a reason for this. The aromatic soy sauce ramen and hand made noodles which are freshly kneaded every morning have inspired ramen lovers and ramen chefs the world over and will continue to do so for many more years to come.
Kidoairaku is very much part of Nishi-Ogikubo’s antique community and plays a role in reflecting the wealth of antiques from Yamagata Prefecture where the owner, Takashi Watanabe, hails from. Situated a few minutes from JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station on the Chuo Line, Kidoairaku is a treasure chest of antiquities and is a charming and welcoming store in which to lose yourself. The store is compact but full of interesting antiques from a variety of historical periods including Edo, Meiji and Taisho. Kidoairaku doesn’t particularly specialize in one particular kind of antique, rather it reflects the interests and passions of the owner and loyal customers that flock there daily. Popular amongst foreign visitors are the range of beautiful ukiyo-e prints. The store also hosts a curated selection of porcelain, pottery and furniture such as sakura (cherry blossoms) designed chests of drawers. Kidoairaku is a lovely and welcoming spot which acts as an informative and attractive gateway into the thriving and bustling Nishi-Ogikubo antiques scene.
Situated in Tokyo’s Nishi-Ogikubo area, which acts as the capital’s antiques hub, Tori Tori is a quirky and relaxed antiques store located a few minutes walk from JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station. Adjacent to another excellent antiques store, Kidoairaku, Tori Tori is renowned for dealing in Japanese dolls. Vibrant and full of life Tori Tori specializes, mostly, in hinakazari or dolls used for hinamatsuri (event that prays for girls' healthy growth and happiness). The incredible display of vintage dolls from various historical periods is spellbinding and a reminder of Japan’s profound connection with history and antiquities. The store also sells other, quirky dolls in a variety of styles as well as a fine collection of textiles, furniture, miniatures, toys and hand-crafted sensu (Japanese hand held fans) which are popular with many visitors looking for a taste of genuine Japanese culture. Tori Tori, then, is a window into Japan’s rush, cultural past and is a flourishing member of Nishi-Ogikubo’s antiques scene.
Tokyo Polytechnic University Suginami Animation Museum is situated in Ogikubo, known as being home to over 130 animation companies. Part of Suginami Kaikan Hall, the museum spans three floors and is packed with interactive exhibits which are perfect for kids and adults alike. The museum also explains the history of animation in Japan and the massive cultural influence it has on the country and, of course, globally. Tokyo Polytechnic University Suginami Animation Museum (which is free to enter) is extremely popular with foreign anime lovers and has some really quirky exhibits such as the animation timeline wall that showcases over 100 years of animation history in Japan. Other highlights include digital workshops for drawing and coloring animation in addition to the voice-over booth for famous animation “Astro Boy.” Visitors can hear their own voice while watching a short clip from the hugely influential animation. There is also a kids drawing and sketching area as well as computers available for games and interactive activities. The third floor library is a welcome oasis of calm and visitors can leisurely sit and read through various books about animation or watch a selection of DVDs. There is also a small cinema which shows various animations that can be enjoyed on the large screen. Although it’s a space dedicated to Japanese pop culture, the museum has made a huge effort to cater for foreign guests and has audio guides in a variety of languages as well as exhibit explanations in other languages including English. Suginami Animation Museum is a really entertaining experience and even non-anime geeks will enjoy the eclectic array of exhibits and activities. Perfect for families or anyone with a passing interest in pop culture and Japan.