A perfect day chilling in Kichijoji, a totally relaxed hood in Tokyo, with a bit of shopping, a long lunch and a stroll in the park

Johan and I are definite fans of a day that includes a rambling bicycle ride, a bit of lunch and a good city park. 

We have a bit nostalgic, living in Tokyo. Perhaps being back in a city reminds us of our single-days-in-the-city and of spending all day and most of the night exploring, uncovering the layers.

We logged hours and hours in Central Park, while living in New York City. Running, cycling, picnicking with friends, opera in the park... all staples in our weekly routine. We would walk from one end of Manhattan to the other and side-to-side. When we were tired, we would sit down for a bite and a rest in any new place we found. 

When we moved to London, Hyde Park and then Battersea Park were our backyard stomping grounds. Both had their own individual charms, but were similar in the fact that Johan and I trawled every centimetre of them. We rode our bikes each weekend, finding new places and seeing the sites. 

Fast-forward to city life in Tokyo.

We have several parks and yet, all uncovered territory.

We use our bikes more as a mode of transportation, but less for exploring. 

And, perhaps a bit alarming, we seem to have gotten stuck in a routine. We visit the same neighbourhoods and shop at the same places, week in and week out. 

We decided it was time to begin exploring again, just like we did in NYC!

Armed with a mission to stop being boring and to see this wonderful city, we set out on a day trip to Kichijoji. And just like old times, we had no plan and no map. Was there even a bounce in my step?

Kichijoji, is a little suburb on the northwest side of Tokyo and is most famed for its proximity to Inokashira Park, for its relaxed and “neighborhood-y” feel and for some yummy, “local” eateries.

Count us in! 

This was very appealing to Johan and I. We pictured ourselves having a mooch around, grabbing lunch and some rented bikes and spending the afternoon at Inokashira. 

Within a twenty-minute train ride from Shibuya station, we arrived in Kichijoji and were off. I must admit that for the first 20 minutes following our arrival, I felt like we had stumbled into the wrong neighbourhood. The area around the station is not the cute, low-building and independent boutique feel I was hoping for. 

But after a bit of a wander, we found the Honcho area and we began to relax, feeling transported to somewhere a little slower and a lot more “day-trippy”. 

Here are the 3 things you can do for a wonderful day in Kichijoji

Shop

You can easily get lost and spend hours in the alleyways of Daiyagai and Sun Road shopping streets. It is possible to buy almost anything you can think of there, from designer pet cloths to household items. It is quite something to see. 

Spill out onto the Harmonica-Yokocho, which is busy and full of life. Perhaps spend some time here, grab a yakitori and a drink and mingle with the locals, come evening time. 

Our pick for shopping is definitely the Nakamichi-dori

We chose to see the areas of Daiyagai and Sun Road shopping streets and then buzz past, in search of a quieter surrounding. Once we found the Nakamichi-dori and all of the tiny streets surrounding it, I could have spent the entire afternoon visiting those shops. 

Even Johan seemed to enjoy aimlessly walking, poking in and out. There were so many unique and wonderfully weird little places to see.

Funny enough, with its low buildings and casual feel, I could have been in California….

The restaurant Egan, with it open- front and bar-style seating, is on our list to visit the next time

The Converse “White Atelier” was super busy - and amazing to see

Eat & Drink 

In search of lunch, we had the small “problem” that far too many places caught our eye. (A definite reason to go back!) We decided to wander towards Boulangerie Bistro Epee, a lunch spot I had read about. But spontaneity was not on our side, as this sweet little cafe was fully booked. 

Next door is the first floor restaurant Villa Magnolia, where we managed to snag the last table. A divine, if not a bit lengthy, course menu set was presented to us and, honestly we could have been sitting in Tuscany. 

Lunch spots we will try next:

La Beana: I’d like to go back to this cute Italian place with a good group of friends, sit on the terrace and wash down a pasta with a bottle of red.

Egna: this grill and bistro looked so inviting, with its floor-to-ceiling open windows and smily staff. Book the room in the back for a group.

And for coffee & dessert we will hit:

Hara Donuts: serving up (what else) donuts made of tofu pulp, you have your choice of more than 70 flavors!

Margaret Howell: I don’t know how the coffee is, but I just want to sit in this open and airy space to drink one.

Blue Sky Coffee: this little place in the park, along the lake’s edge, has a sign standing outside that asks people not to take a photo until you have ordered a coffee….it was that cute!

When the evening time comes around, or when the mood strikes, a drink and a bite at:

Sopra: perching on the edge of the pond in the park, thisItalian restaurant was illuminated by fairy lights and looked so, very romantic

Peppa Cafe Forest: we did have a drink and a plate of edamame (so yummy!) here. On the lake, with an open front, you can gaze out and people watch (if you’re lucky enough to grab a table). Based on the edamame, we will definitely go back for lunch.

Blue Sky Coffee was still busy at sundown

The very romantic looking Sopra restaurant. I wish we had been hungry when we passed by!

Take a Walk in The Park

The Inokashira-Koen is a 15-20 minute walk from the Nakamichi-dori. It is a pretty, green park that must be a site during Sakura!

There is a small zoo, pedal boats on the lake, several places to picnic and even New York-style street performers who are happy to take small donations for their entertainment service. The Benzaiten Temple (which is, funnily enough, dedicated to the goddess of love) is very picturesque in this setting and a great place for sitting and watching the world go by.

Johan and I strolled through the park until we found the perfect spot to sit and people watch….and we seriously didn’t move until the Peppa Cafe Forest was calling our name for a sundowner!

What is it about a day spent wandering and rambling? What is it that it does to your senses?

We actually felt that we had taken a teeny, tiny mini holiday. It was liberating to wander with no real destination in mind, just following our noses…only some sweet shops, some fab pasta and a little bit of getting lost.