Kichijoji - What a surprise

[zonjineko]

We get over to Tokyo about once a year from Australia and normally don't plan anything apart from the hotel. I take the laptop and have a look around at night for interesting places and head off somewhere the next day.

I read about the Kichijoji area in Tokyo and was surprised when we got there. It was a little bit harder to get to by train as some of the LImited Express trains don't stop at that station but we eventually got there!

It had a little bit of everything with plenty of narrow streets full of shopping, several small shrines and the beautiful Inokashira Park, which was about 5 minutes walk from the station.

Definitely worth the trip if you're looking for somewhere outside of the normal Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza areas.

From memory we took the JR Chūō Line to get there. Don't take the Special Rapid as they skip the station - almost made that mistake

 

[AJBryant]

The last two years I lived in Japan, I lived in Kichijoji. It was a great place.

 

[Alma]

my favourite place in tokyo

when I was searching for apartment, I seriously considered kichijoji, but decided that it it better to be closer to school, since from kichijouji I would need train and bus to go there.

but, there is tamako cycling path near me and it goes towards kichijouji.. so it takes me about half of hour to go there on regular bycicle

it is just so cool place, wheather you want to go to shopping, to eat, or just have free time to wonder around

 

[ArmandV]

I met a friend for dinner in Kichijoji four years ago and found the area very nice.

 

[Elizabeth]

I probably enjoy the culture and streets of Shimokitazawa more than Kichijoji, but my favorite place away from coolness, glamour and refinement -- for authenticity -- still has to be Yakitori Alley (aka Omoide Yokocho = Shonben = Piss Alley) besides the JR tracks just northwest of Shinjuku Station. The perfect place to relive post-war Tokyo over beer and skewers.

 

[Dogen Z]

FWIW, Kichijoji must have one of the most serious shoutengai areas in Tokyo. Almost on par with
Ameyokocho in Ueno.

 

[zonjineko]

FWIW, Kichijoji must have one of the most serious shoutengai areas in Tokyo. Almost on par with
Ameyokocho in Ueno.

Yep fully agree - Yakitori Alley is also great too. I couldn't believe that existed the first time I came across it right in the middle of Shinjuku. Had my first chicken gizzards yakatori there ^_^