Top Attractions in Chofu for Sightseeing
How to Use the Map
Click on a destination to see a list of events in the area. Zoom in/out to zoom in/out on the map.
Keyboard shortcut: ← Move Left/→ Move Right/↑ Move Up/↓ Move Down/+ Zoom In/- Zoom Out
Chofu City is a relaxed green pocket on the western side of Tokyo, just about 15 minutes by train from Shinjuku, making it an easy addition to any Tokyo travel plan. It’s an area where nature and culture sit side by side, with enough variety to keep both first-time visitors and repeat travelers interested. One of the main Chofu attractions is Jindaiji Temple, a historic temple surrounded by tall trees, small streams, and traditional streets. Right next to it, Jindai Botanical Gardens offers seasonal flowers and wide lawns that are perfect for a quiet walk. Along the Tama River, you’ll find riverside paths that change with the seasons – cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and warm colors in autumn – ideal for picnics, jogging, or just enjoying the open sky. Chofu is also known as a “movie and anime town.” Film studios and locations connected to the famous series GeGeGe no Kitaro are scattered around the city, so simply walking through certain streets can feel like stepping into a story. When it comes to Chofu food, Jindaiji soba (buckwheat noodles) and a good selection of cafés and Japanese restaurants make it easy to enjoy a relaxed meal. With the lively area around Ajinomoto Stadium and many things to do in Tokyo packed into a compact zone, Chofu works well for a day trip, offering nature, culture, and local flavor in one friendly neighborhood.
Recommended Local Products and Traditional Crafts in Chofu
Jindaiji Soba
Jindaiji soba is a famous local soba noodle dish that has long been enjoyed in the temple town around Jindaiji Temple in Chofu City, Tokyo. The area around Jindaiji was once considered suitable for buckwheat cultivation, and it is said that the tradition began when tenant farmers offered buckwheat flour to the temple, where soba was made to serve visitors. During the Edo period, the name Jindaiji soba became widely known, and today many soba restaurants still line the streets near the temple. Its appeal lies in the fragrant flavor of the buckwheat and its simple, rustic taste. It can be enjoyed as mori soba or zaru soba, as well as with tempura or grated yam. Jindaiji soba is a representative local specialty of Chofu City, best enjoyed together with a visit to Jindaiji Temple, a stroll through the temple town, or a stop at Jindai Botanical Garden.
Explore Chofu: Top Spots and Must-Know Topic
Jindaiji Temple
Jindaiji Temple is an old Buddhist temple surrounded by rich greenery and natural spring water, offering a calm break from the busy side of Tokyo travel. The thatched-roof main gate and historic halls create a peaceful atmosphere that changes beautifully with each season, from fresh spring leaves to autumn colors. Walking slowly through the grounds, you can enjoy the feeling of “old Tokyo” that is hard to find in the city center. Right outside the temple, the streets are lined with restaurants serving Jindaiji soba, a local specialty. Many visitors combine a temple visit with a simple soba lunch, making this one of the most classic Chofu attractions. Small shops, sweet stalls, and traditional buildings add to the charm, and it is easy to spend a relaxed half day just wandering, eating, and taking photos. Jindaiji is especially pleasant on weekends and holidays, when families, couples, and solo travelers all mix together in a gentle, friendly atmosphere. If you are looking for things to do in Tokyo that offer nature, history, and local food in one compact area, Jindaiji Temple and its surrounding streets are a very inviting option.
Jindai Botanical Gardens
Jindai Botanical Gardens is a large metropolitan park where you can enjoy around 4,800 kinds of plants throughout the year. The rose garden, plum grove, and cherry tree avenues are some of the highlights, each bringing a different mood to the landscape in spring, early summer, and autumn. Wide paths and open lawns make it easy to stroll, relax, or take photos, which is why the garden is often included in Tokyo travel plans for nature lovers. A greenhouse on the grounds showcases tropical plants and orchids, adding another layer of interest on rainy days or in cooler seasons. Because the gardens sit right next to Jindaiji Temple, many visitors enjoy both spots in one outing, moving from temple atmosphere to carefully designed plant displays. This mix of culture and greenery makes the area one of the most pleasant Chofu attractions. Families with children, photography fans, and casual walkers all find something to enjoy here. For travelers searching for calm, open spaces and seasonal colors among the many things to do in Tokyo, Jindai Botanical Gardens offers a gentle, unhurried side of the city that is easy to appreciate.
Chofu Airport
Chofu Airport is a small airport in western Tokyo where you can watch light aircraft take off and land from very close by. For aviation fans, families with children, or anyone curious about daily airport life on a smaller scale, it is a refreshing change from the big international terminals usually associated with Tokyo travel. Observation decks and nearby parks make it simple to find a comfortable spot and enjoy the movement of planes against the sky. The airport also serves as a gateway to the Izu Islands, with regular flights connecting Tokyo to remote island destinations. Even if you are not flying, seeing these aircraft come and go offers a glimpse of another side of things to do in Tokyo—island travel starting from a quiet suburban airfield. The feeling is very local and relaxed compared with major city airports. Because the area around the runway is well maintained, many visitors combine a stop at Chofu Airport with a walk in neighboring parks or a picnic on a sunny day. As one of the more unusual Chofu attractions, it shows how everyday transportation can become a small sightseeing experience in itself.
Kitaro Chaya
Kitaro Chaya is a café and shop where visitors can enjoy the world of GeGeGe no Kitaro. It is currently located in the Tenjin-dori Shopping Street near Chofu Station. Inside, visitors can enjoy yokai-themed sweets and drinks, as well as limited-edition goods available only at the shop, making it popular with both fans of the series and families with children. Along Tenjin-dori Shopping Street, there are also monuments of yokai characters from GeGeGe no Kitaro, allowing visitors to experience the world of the story while walking around the town. The original creator, Shigeru Mizuki, spent many years creating his works in Chofu, and Kitaro Chaya is a spot where visitors can feel the connection between Chofu and manga and anime culture. With its playful atmosphere, it is one of the places worth visiting during a trip to Chofu.
Visit Japan Web makes entering Japan easy — all in one place.
Prepare your entry procedures online before you travel.
Complete Quarantine, Immigration, and Customs forms smoothly with just a few taps.
Register anytime — before or during your trip — and simply show your QR code at the airport for a faster arrival.
Learn more about Visit Japan Web
Visit Japan Web makes entering Japan easy — all in one place.
Prepare your entry procedures online before you travel.
Complete Quarantine, Immigration, and Customs forms smoothly with just a few taps.
Register anytime — before or during your trip — and simply show your QR code at the airport for a faster arrival.
Learn more about Visit Japan Web
Musashino no Mori Park
Musashino no Mori Park is a wide, open park next to Chofu Airport where you can enjoy lawns, walking paths, and views of planes taking off and landing. From the hilltop observation area, you can look out over the runway and surrounding neighborhoods, with a strong sense of open sky that is unusual so close to central Tokyo. It is a relaxing place to include in your Tokyo travel if you enjoy both greenery and light aviation. The park is popular for jogging, picnics, and simple outdoor play with children. Families often bring blankets and toys, while walkers and runners use the paths for casual exercise. Because it combines everyday park life with the unique view of aircraft, it has become one of the memorable Chofu attractions for visitors who want a mix of city and sky. On sunny weekends, the park is lively but still feels spacious, and you can easily find your own spot to sit and watch the changing clouds and planes. For travelers searching for things to do in Tokyo that offer room to breathe and a slower rhythm, Musashino no Mori Park is a very welcoming stop.
Nogawa Park
Nogawa Park stretches along the Nogawa River and offers a rich mix of woods, lawns, and riverside scenery. It is a great choice for visitors who want their Tokyo travel to include time in nature, not only in busy city streets. The park preserves the feel of Musashino woodlands, with walking paths that wind through trees and open spaces where children can run and play. Facilities such as a barbecue area and playground equipment make it popular with families and groups, especially on weekends. In spring, cherry blossoms brighten the riverbanks; in early summer, fresh green leaves create a cool shade; and in autumn, the park turns warm with red and yellow foliage. These seasonal changes are one reason Nogawa Park is often named among the most relaxing Chofu attractions. Locals visit to walk dogs, jog, or simply sit by the water, and travelers are welcome to join this everyday rhythm. If you are looking for things to do in Tokyo that help you forget the noise of the city for a while, a slow walk along the river in Nogawa Park is a simple but rewarding option.
Fuda Tenjin Shrine
Fuda Tenjin Shrine is a long-respected local shrine dedicated to a Tenjin deity, associated with good fortune in studies and relationships. Surrounded by greenery, the grounds have a quiet, calm atmosphere where visitors can take their time making an offering, reading ema prayer boards, and enjoying the natural light filtering through the trees. It is a gentle cultural stop to add to your Tokyo travel when you want a peaceful break. The shrine is also known for its connection to GeGeGe no Kitaro, as it appears as one of the settings in the story. This link gives Fuda Tenjin Shrine a special place among Chofu attractions, combining traditional religious practice with modern manga culture. Antique markets and festival days bring more energy to the grounds, turning it into a lively gathering spot for local residents. Whether you visit on a quiet weekday or during a special event, the shrine offers insight into how faith, community, and everyday life interact in a Tokyo suburb. For travelers seeking things to do in Tokyo that reveal local history and character beyond the big landmarks, Fuda Tenjin Shrine is a meaningful, low-key destination.
Mushanokoji Saneatsu Memorial Museum
The Mushanokoji Saneatsu Memorial Museum stands on the site where the writer Mushanokoji Saneatsu spent his later years. Inside, you can see manuscripts, personal belongings, and paintings that help you understand his personality and creative world. The museum offers a quiet, reflective space that contrasts with the busier parts of Tokyo travel, making it especially appealing to visitors interested in literature and art. Next to the building, a garden with a pond and trees provides a gentle natural setting. Throughout the year, the scenery changes with the seasons, from fresh green to colorful leaves, inviting visitors to sit, walk, and think. Together, the house-like museum and its garden form one of the more contemplative Chofu attractions, where time seems to slow down. The scale of the museum is modest, so it is easy to see everything without feeling rushed, and the exhibits are arranged in a way that makes the writer’s life approachable even if you are not already familiar with his work. For travelers looking for things to do in Tokyo that deepen their connection to Japanese culture beyond pop icons and major landmarks, this memorial museum offers a calm, intimate experience.
Tama River (Riverside Area)
The Tama River riverside area in Chofu is a wide, open outdoor space where you can feel the flow of the river and the big sky overhead. Paths along the bank are popular for jogging and cycling, while fields and open spaces host casual baseball games, picnics, and barbecues. For visitors who want their Tokyo travel to include active time outdoors, it is an easy and flexible option. In spring, cherry blossoms and yellow rape blossoms add color to the riverbank, making it a pleasant place for seasonal walks and photos. On clear days, you can sometimes see distant mountains, and sunsets along the river can be surprisingly dramatic, with warm light reflecting on the water. This blend of nature and everyday life has made the Tama River one of the most familiar Chofu attractions for local residents. The mood here is relaxed and unhurried, with families, friends, and solo visitors each enjoying the space in their own way. As a break between other things to do in Tokyo, a short visit to the riverside can refresh both body and mind, offering a side of the city that feels closer to a local neighborhood than a typical sightseeing spot.
Mayo Terrace
Mayo Terrace is an experience-based visitor facility where you can learn about mayonnaise—its history, ingredients, and production—in a fun, interactive way. Bright, pop-style displays and hands-on corners explain how mayonnaise is made and why certain ingredients are used, making it enjoyable for both children and adults. It is one of the more unusual Chofu attractions, combining food education with a playful design. Exhibits include process explanations, ingredient information, quizzes, and simple activities that highlight the importance of food in daily life. The space is designed to be welcoming and easy to understand, even if you are not deeply familiar with Japanese. Many visitors leave with new ideas about how to use mayonnaise in everyday cooking, adding a small but interesting element to their Tokyo travel memories. Because it focuses on an everyday condiment rather than a traditional craft, Mayo Terrace offers a fresh angle on Japanese food culture. For travelers looking for things to do in Tokyo that are family-friendly, educational, and a little bit different from the usual museum or factory tour, this facility is a cheerful option to keep in mind while exploring Chofu.
List of Local Products and Traditional Crafts from Chofu
Daruma Monaka – A Lucky Sweet from Chofu
Daruma monaka is a charming Japanese sweet shaped like a daruma doll, and it has become one of the well-loved traditional treats in Chofu. The outer shell is made from crisp, lightly toasted wafers, and inside you’ll find a generous amount of smooth, gently sweet bean paste. It pairs naturally with green tea and has a simple, nostalgic flavor that feels very Japanese. The design connects closely with local culture: around Jindaiji Temple and Fuda Tenjin Shrine, daruma dolls are familiar symbols of good luck and determination. Enjoying a daruma monaka in this area adds an extra layer of meaning to a visit, linking the sweet to the atmosphere of temple fairs and local daruma markets. It’s a snack that reflects both the warm, everyday side of Tokyo and the more traditional character of Chofu. For travelers interested in local specialties in Tokyo, daruma monaka is a nice example of how classic wagashi and regional motifs come together in daily life.
Jindaiji Beer & Chofu Beer – Local Craft Brews with a Sense of Place
Jindaiji Beer and Chofu Beer are craft beers named after the city of Chofu, inspired by the area’s natural scenery around Jindaiji Temple and the Tama River. Depending on the style, the balance of aroma and bitterness changes, but both are made to be easy to enjoy with food—from Japanese dishes like soba to more Western-style meals. Tasting these beers together with local flavors, such as Jindaiji soba, is a relaxed way to feel the connection between Chofu’s landscape, its food culture, and everyday life. For many residents, these labels add a small but personal touch to seasonal events, neighborhood gatherings, and casual evenings out. For visitors planning Tokyo travel beyond the city center, Jindaiji Beer and Chofu Beer can be seen as “liquid snapshots” of the area’s character: calm riversides, temple streets, and a community that values both tradition and a laid-back lifestyle. They are part of the background that makes Chofu feel distinct within greater Tokyo.
Nikujiru Gyoza no Dandadan – Juicy Dumplings from Chofu
Nikujiru Gyoza no Dandadan is a gyoza tavern brand that started in Chofu and is known for its simple motto: “Gyoza and beer are culture.” Its signature dumplings are pan-fried until the outside is crisp and fragrant, while the inside stays full of rich, meaty juices. They work well both as a main dish with rice and as a relaxed companion to a drink, fitting naturally into many everyday meal scenes. The restaurants have an easygoing, welcoming atmosphere, making them popular spots for a quick stop after work or a casual meetup with friends. In this way, Dandadan has grown into more than just a place to eat; it functions as a local hangout where people gather, talk, and unwind. Within Tokyo travel, Chofu’s Dandadan locations show a different side of the city’s food culture—one rooted in neighborhood taverns and shared plates, rather than only in big downtown districts. For travelers interested in how local people actually spend their evenings, this style of juicy gyoza and relaxed drinking spot is a memorable part of Chofu’s everyday flavor.