Exploring Tokyo’s West Side | Chofu, Kichijōji and Koenji | JAPAN VLOG
The west side of Tokyo has so much to offer – from the hidden charm of Chofu, with its traditional streets and Tokyo’s second-oldest temple, to the trendy and laid-back vibes of Kichijoji and Koenji. We’ll explore whimsical shops, cozy cafés, and relaxing sento (Japanese bathhouses) while discovering a more local side of the city.
I hope you enjoy!
Watch in 4k
Captions (auto-translate) available
Date visited: 18th and 21st October 2025
Equipment:
– Filmed with iPhone 16 Pro
– Edited with capcut
– Kraftgeek Tripod https://tinyurl.com/mr7kjdp7 (affliate link)
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Timeline
01:47 Chofu (Botanical Garden, Jindaiji Temple, Musashino Jindaiji Kiln & pottery painting, soba and Kitaro Chaya)
14:16 Kichijoji (Exploring whimsical shops, tofu donut and 100 year old pottery shop)
21:10 Koenji (Cool coffee shop, local bakery, weather shrine, tempura egg lunch, shops, sento & my favourite cafe)
Places mentioned
Jindaiji Botanical Gardens https://maps.app.goo.gl/NSoN9pELyj6YsKk47
Yaoki soba shop https://maps.app.goo.gl/crQTRSq33zechsmLA
Kitaro Chaya https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ht1YYRboEKdPBjZn7
Tom coffee shop https://maps.app.goo.gl/aXRiYD3RDbKWeix99
INCredible COFFEE https://maps.app.goo.gl/RcSJRAYZCD4azuB26
オルブロート一番 bakery (local bakery in Koenji) https://maps.app.goo.gl/JyT9oXMoVDSoxaWdA
Tensuke https://maps.app.goo.gl/hj4n3cUhW5tGhkDu8
Kosugiyu https://maps.app.goo.gl/8dKE4X6MPzoWcHCb6
#japantraveldiary #tokyovlog #silenttravelvlog
36 Comments
Hi～Did you film this on an iPhone 16? The footage looks amazing. do you use any app to shoot it? Was it in LOG mode or standard? It looks fantastic, thanks!
Adding this to my watch list and will be watching after exam. Can’t waitttt
A wonderful whimsical path! Thank You!
Amazing video. I wonder how can you afford all your travels ? Is it your vlog that finance all that or your work ? I can't even imagine how much all that cost. I'm curious to know more about it
Most of people can afford one little trip per year.
Thanks !
I have visited some of the places u did so this brought back nice memories! Tensuke was very good 🤤 I would love to visit the last cafe! It looks so cosy and feels like a room out of animal crossing 🥹❤
Fantastic and nostalgic stroll trough Tokyo's West Side. Good.
Thank you so much for your recommendation
Wow, I can't wait to visit this area of Tokyo! Thanks for making this video.
Hi love your vlogs so beautiful and aesthetic also do you uave insta account where you post just curious ❤❤
❤❤❤
So lovely <3
The botanical garden turn out to be such a cute accident 😆🌸 also I really like the composition in this part 4:25
stunning scenery
You need to stop I don't have enough days to cover all your Tokyo spots 😭😭😭😭😭
Big-picture plan (one great day)
AM: Chōfu (quiet + green + temples). Start at Jindaiji Temple (8th century; mossy lanes, waterwheels, tea stalls) and the adjoining Jindai Botanical Gardens (Tokyo’s largest rose garden; greenhouse + aquatic plants). Grab hand-cut Jindaiji soba around the gate streets.
Japan Experience
+2
Go Tokyo
+2
Midday: Kichijōji (parks + indie retail). Walk Inokashira Park, peek at the Ghibli Museum (tickets must be prebooked), and browse arcades like Sunroad and the alleys of Harmonica Yokochō. Snack run: Satō’s menchi-katsu or yakitori at Iseya before the evening crowds.
Go Tokyo
+3
JW Web Magazine
+3
Ghibli Museum
+3
PM/Evening: Kōenji (thrift + livehouses). Vintage/alt-fashion spines and tiny venues; if you’re in Tokyo in late August, the street-filling Kōenji Awa-Odori dance festival is electric.
experience-suginami.tokyo
+2
koenji-awaodori.com
+2
Getting around (friction-free routing)
Shinjuku ⇄ Chōfu: Keio Line (rapid locals; for matches/events use Tobitakyū for Ajinomoto Stadium).
ajinomotostadium.com
+1
Shinjuku/Chūō Line: for Kōenji and Kichijōji (also on Keio Inokashira from Shibuya).
Japan Guide
Micro-itinerary with “insider” beats
1) Chōfu (3–4 hrs)
Jindaiji Temple grounds → wander the wooden bridges and ponds; pair it with Jindai Botanical Gardens (rose seasons are spring & autumn; the greenhouse is year-round).
Japan Experience
+1
Eat: Jindaiji soba + a sweet yōkan or dango on the approach road. (It’s a hyperlocal pairing—earnest, simple, perfect.)
Sports detour: If FC Tokyo’s playing, Ajinomoto (Tokyo) Stadium is nearby—plan your Keio hop accordingly.
ajinomotostadium.com
+1
2) Kichijōji (3–5 hrs)
Inokashira Park loop → paddle boats, shrine stop, lakeside coffee; then north to Sunroad and Harmonica Yokochō for tiny bars and snack counters.
Japan Guide
+1
Ghibli Museum: only with advance tickets—10:00 JST on the 10th each month for the following month (via Lawson). Don’t confuse with Ghibli Park (different city!).
Ghibli Museum
+2
Lawson
+2
3) Kōenji (evening)
Thrift crawl, gallery peeks, ramen counter hop. If your dates align with Awa-Odori (last weekend of August), stake a spot by 16:30; dancing runs ~3 hours and the vibe is pure neighborhood joy.
koenji-awaodori.com
+1
“What most people miss” (and how to level up)
Temple-to-table theme: At Jindaiji, lots of soba shops mill on site—do a mini soba flight (hot vs. cold) and compare buckwheat aroma. Pair with the garden’s seasonal bloom calendar so you catch roses or maples at peak.
Time Out Worldwide
Golden-hour Kichijōji: Time Harmonica Yokochō for pre-sunset photos; alleys light up but are less jammed than after 20:00.
Go Tokyo
Livehouse sampler in Kōenji: Many cover 2–3 short sets; pop in for one band, then swap streets. Check the Experience Suginami event board for festivals beyond Awa-Odori (April street performances, October Koenji Fes).
experience-suginami.tokyo
Matchday atmosphere: Even if you’re not into football, a night game at Ajinomoto Stadium is an easy win—cheap seats, family vibe, choreo in the stands, direct Keio access.
Tripadvisor
Novel angles & odd little joys
“Blue-hour boats” photo set at Inokashira Lake → reflections + bridge silhouettes look best right after sunset. (Then head straight to yakitori.)
Retro snack crawl in Harmonica: order a single skewer or tiny plate at 3–4 counters—think of it as Tokyo’s mezze lane.
Go Tokyo
Festival-lite alternative: Can’t make Awa-Odori? Aim for Kōenji’s Bikkuri Street Performance (late April) or Koenji Fes (late Oct) for street energy without August heat.
experience-suginami.tokyo
Practicalities (save your future self)
Book Ghibli first; build the rest of your day around the entry slot. (Tickets drop 10:00 JST on the 10th of the prior month and can go fast.)
Ghibli Museum
Cash vs. cards: The alleys and mom-and-pop bars often still prefer cash; convenience stores nearby have international ATMs.
Trains over cabs: West-side hubs are on the JR Chūō/Sōbu and Keio networks—fast, frequent, cheap. (Keio runs direct to the stadium.)
hmmm,… I would have gone further west to Mitaka. It's extremely beautiful and the place where Dazai Osamu lived his final days.
Every time I encounter your videos I just feel like I'm somewhere else. It's a way of traveling that I like very much. Thank you! : )
Thank you for this video. I will definitely visit these places! This is such a nice idea.
Man I wish I would have known about this area when I was in Tokyo. It looks lovely. I can’t wait for the day we can go back. The tempura looks amazing. My favorite tempura is the sweet potato, inoki mushrooms and pumpkin.
Ese café del final! Está hermosooooo
salam..i'am very happy with your vidio..my son work in totorii japan..can you get me vidio totorii city to me please❤😊
The word sanctuary goes through mind when you visit these one of a kind coffee shops/cafe. You guys shoot great content. Thanks !
Hi Riri, I presume you record this video at 4K? Is the storage on the iPhone enough for 1 day of recording? Thanks.
Another wonderful journey. Thank you.
going to tokyo in a couple weeks. koenji is on the list of neighborhoods we want to visit, so this came at the perfect time. we love your vlogs! =)
Adding this to watchlist and it’s finally weekend so I can watch it, daaaamnnnn those places are beautiful like popping out of story book !
Loved this vlog! Tokyo’s west side has such a unique vibe, Chofu, Kichijōji, and Koenji all have their own charm. Makes me want to explore those neighborhoods on my next Japan trip!
Many to choose breads. Yum.
What a cool trip! Gonna try this
What a nice and calming video. Thank you.
Wow, thank you for sharing 🥰
Hi,
May I know which month or season did you go, as the weather is so beautiful.
Thank you.
Dream………😮
Very relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you!
You are very good at choosing background music, this is exactly how Koenji sounds in my mind, probably because I have spent many nights inside some of its live houses and listening bars.