Kichijoji Walk & Café Tour | Nature, Ghibli Vibes & Hidden Tokyo

Kichijoji Walk & Café Tour | Nature, Ghibli Vibes & Hidden Tokyo

Hello! Today, I’d like to take a walk through Inokashira Park in Kichijoji and visit some lovely cafés along the way. This park is just about a 10-minute walk from Kichijoji Station, and it’s so full of nature, you might forget you’re still in Tokyo. It’s a beloved spot where you can enjoy the changing scenery throughout the seasons. Today the sky is perfectly clear, and the greenery is so vibrant—such a perfect day for the park. It’s just the right place for a gentle walk while exploring some cozy cafés. Speaking of Inokashira Park, you can’t miss the swan boats. I really love how they look all lined up in a row. They remind me of little kids neatly lined up in a classroom—it’s kind of adorable, isn’t it? Whenever I see them, I always feel like hopping in for a ride. But I think I’ll save that for later… First things first—breakfast! Let’s head to a tea specialty shop to enjoy a morning meal. A cozy café that specializes in chai and black tea. As soon as you step inside, you’re welcomed by the gentle aroma of tea. Just that alone melts away any tension. Their seasonal spring menu is all about strawberries! Since I’m a huge strawberry lover, I went straight for that one. The set comes with a cup of seasonal Ceylon tea. I usually drink coffee, but I really do love tea too. This is their French toast with freshly picked strawberries and mascarpone. They use freshly picked strawberries from Mitaka, which is just next door. The gentle sweetness and fragrant tea made for a truly blissful moment. The weather is just perfect for spending time outdoors today. Let’s head to the most spiritual spot in the park—Inokashira Benzaiten Shrine. It’s said to bring good fortune, especially when it comes to money. If you walk further in, you’ll find a small, clear spring where people wash coins—
it’s believed the money you use afterward will come back to you with even more blessings. I gently scooped up some coins and rinsed them in the spring myself. The water was ice cold, and as I dipped my hands in, it felt like even my heart was being refreshed. It was a quiet, peaceful moment—just me and a quiet wish in the middle of the forest. After leaving the shrine, I took a slow walk through the rest of the park. Inokashira Park first opened in 1917.With its large pond and rich greenery, it’s like an oasis in the middle of Tokyo. And just nearby, there used to be the original headquarters of Studio Ghibli. There are so many little spots in the park that feel just like a Ghibli scene. Even just walking around, it feels like stepping into a Ghibli movie—so magical and exciting! Now, it’s time for a treat—let’s visit a cozy bakery known for its delicious cinnamon rolls. It’s tucked away near the edge of the park. Wow, everything looks so good! From the large windows upstairs, you get a great view of the park’s greenery— it really feels like a café in the middle of the forest. Most people take their bread to go and enjoy it in the park, so the café itself was nice and quiet. It’s a lovely place to relax and unwind. I chose their popular cinnamon roll and a freshly baked chocolate bagel. And of course, I had to try their original herbal tea blend as well. The black tea earlier had a lovely aroma, but this herbal tea has a different kind of soothing fragrance. It’s such a cozy and relaxing spot—perfect for taking a little break. This cinnamon roll has a moist texture, with just the right amount of spice and sweetness—so well balanced. It feels like a little reward—pure happiness in pastry form. After a delightful morning café time… I thought, let’s finally ride the swan boat! …or so I thought. Turns out, it’s a one-hour wait today! No wonder it’s so popular. Sadly, I had to pass this time. But just watching the swan boats gently floating across the pond was calming enough. Everyone out on the water looked so relaxed, enjoying the breeze. Seeing their happy faces was heartwarming. I may have skipped the swan boat, but I found these adorable rice dumplings at the nearby snack stand! aren’t they cute?🤭 They came with a topping of sweet zunda bean paste. They were so cute I couldn’t eat them right away—I just stared at them for a while. And yes, they were delicious too! All around the park, you’ll find benches where people are sitting back and relaxing. Some are practicing instruments, others dancing—and sometimes you’ll even see street performers rehearsing. It’s never boring to watch. It’s a gentle, open space where everyone enjoys spending time in their own way. Lots of people walk their dogs here, and the whole park has such a calm, peaceful atmosphere. Just a short walk from the park, there’s a little spot in the neighborhood I love—perfect for lunch! And they have the sweetest shop dog—her name is Minmin. The atmosphere inside feels like a cozy old-town café, and the staff are so kind. It’s the kind of place that just makes you smile. I ordered their signature dish: omu-soba—an omelet over fried noodles. The fluffy, melty omelet on top of the yakisoba just looked so comforting and satisfying. After the meal, I enjoyed a cup of special sencha green tea sourced all the way from Kyoto. It had a gentle fragrance and a smooth, subtle bitterness—so relaxing. There’s nothing like a good cup of Japanese tea. The café is full of dog-themed decorations—so much love in every corner! After a long nap, Minmin woke up right on cue. She makes sure to greet every customer—one by one. She’s a senior pup, so her slow, gentle movements just make her even more adorable. Like the perfect shop dog, Minmin greets people walking by. She’s a local favorite. Her most important job? Delivering the change to customers! Haha—though the basket with the change might be just a little too far away. Minmin is absolutely adorable. This cozy little café filled both my heart and my belly. One of the reasons Inokashira Park feels so calming is the gentle murmur of its stream. There are lots of safe spots for little kids to play near the water and in open spaces, so you often see families here. A place where children can run free in nature—that’s something really precious. In the park, there’s a spring called Ochanomizu. It’s said that Tokugawa Ieyasu once used this water to brew tea. They say it was the most delicious spring water in the area, and that’s how the name “Inokashira” came about. Thinking that this very spring water still brings peace to people’s hearts today… it really makes me feel that Inokashira Park is a truly special place. I was just about to head home when the scent from a café inside the station pulled me in for one last stop. With Mother’s Day around the corner, the café was decorated with lots of carnations—it really lifted my spirits. Telling myself, “This really is the last one,” I ordered a cup of fresh herbal tea. As I poured it into the cup, the fragrance gently filled the air… ahh, what a lovely aroma. I’ve really enjoyed so many kinds of tea today. Mmm… it smells amazing. And I couldn’t resist the adorable tart topped with edible flowers—so pretty! It didn’t just look good—it tasted gentle and sweet too. Okay… maybe I overate a little. 😊 But with so many wonderful spots like this, it’s only natural to make a few detours. To make up for all that eating, I think I’ll walk one station home. There are still so many amazing places in Kichijoji that I haven’t shown you yet. I’ll share more in another vlog! If you enjoyed this video, I’d love it if you subscribed, hit the like button, and left a comment too! Thank you so much for watching until the end. Let’s go exploring together again soon!

Take a peaceful walk through Inokashira Park, enjoy seasonal tea and sweets, visit local cafés in Kichijoji, and meet Minmin the adorable shop dog.
We’ll stop by Inokashira Benzaiten Shrine and a legendary spring too.
If you’re looking for Ghibli vibes, cozy cafés, and calm nature in Tokyo—this is for you.

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【Timestamp】
00:00 Intro
01:29 Chai Break – Specialty Chai & Tea Shop
02:19 Inokashira Benzaiten Shrine – Coin Washing Ritual
03:33 NAKADA BAKERY – Cinnamon Roll & Herbal Tea
04:51 Swan Boat Area – Cute Dango from the Snack Stand
06:09 Sabo Honoka – Omusoba, Sencha & the Shop Dog Minmin
08:20 Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse – Atre Kichijoji

【Places Visited】
◇ Inokashira Park (井の頭恩賜公園)
https://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/jimusho/seibuk/inokashira
◇ Chai Break (チャイブレイク)
https://www.chai-break.com
◇ Inokashira Benzaiten Shrine (井の頭弁財天)
https://www.inokashirabenzaiten.com
◇ NAKADA BAKERY (中田ベーカリー)
https://www.instagram.com/kamehamepa?igsh=MXZhZjh5c2dlbHZkcA==
◇ Sabo Honoka (茶房ほの香)
https://sabouhonoka.okoshi-yasu.com
◇ Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse – Atre Kichijoji (青山フラワーマーケット ティーハウス アトレ吉祥寺店)
https://www.afm-teahouse.com/kichijyoji