Chofu

Chofu (調布市 Chōfu-shi) is a western suburb of Tokyo, and the main draws are Jindaiji Temple and Jindai Botanical gardens. These twin attractions are next to each other, making a reasonable day trip from central Tokyo. Beyond these two, Chōfu feels like the suburb that it is, particularly on the weekends when the train platform is crowded with parents and their children.

Understand

Tourist Information Sites

The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated machine translation.

The city has info pages in English on Guidoor.

Get in

Chōfu is 15 minutes and ¥280 from Shinjuku. From Shinjuku station, take the Keio line's special express (特急) or semi-special-express (準特急) train. Chōfu is the second stop.

Chofu Airport has flights from the Izu Islands.

Get around

To get to Jindaiji Temple and Jindai Botanical Gardens, it is reasonable to take a bus. On the north side of the station, take bus number 34 (leaving from bus stop 14), or bus numbers 05, 06, 31 or 56 (leaving from bus stop 13). Only bus number 34 goes directly to Jindaiji Temple; the latter four stop only at "Jindaiji Iriguchi," it is a short walk to the temple from there. All five buses go to Jindaiji Botanical Gardens, fare ¥210. It is 2-3 km from the station to Jindaiji Temple, so walking or taking a taxi is possible.

If you happen to be in Kichijōji or Mitaka, rather than Chōfu, you can also take a bus to get to Jindaiji Temple and Jindai Botanical Gardens.

See

Jindaiji Temple

• 1 Jindaiji Temple (深大寺), Jindaiji 5-15-1, Motomachi, ☏ +81 424-86-5511. This temple of the Tendai sect, constructed in 733, is nearly the oldest in the Tokyo area, second only to Sensoji in Asakusa. Although the temple building itself is modest, the surrounding village of food stands, soba restaurants and waterwheels evokes an image of Edo-period Japan, and makes Jindaiji Temple a hidden gem in suburban Tokyo. The temple complex houses a bronze statue of Shaka Nyorai, a Buddha. The statue is said to date from around 700, and is housed in a separate concrete building. (updated Jan 2016)

Jindai Botanical Gardens

• 2 Jindai Botanical Gardens (神代植物公園 Jindai Shokubutsu Koen), Jindaiji 5-31-10, Motomachi, ☏ +81 424-83-2300. 09:30-16:00. Something is always blooming in this large, all-season botanical garden. The park is divided into areas which feature specific plants such as plum and cherry blossom trees; the Japanese azalea garden and English-style rose garden are good. The main gate is on the west side is near the bus stop; you can also enter from the gate adjacent to Jindaiji Temple on the south side. Adults ¥500, seniors ¥250, junior high schoolers ¥200, children free. (updated Jan 2016)
• 3 Fudaten Shrine (布田天神社), Chofugaoka 1-8-1, ☏ +81 424-89-0022. On the 25th on the month satokagura dance and music numbers are performed. The satokagura is a traditional shinto dance. 

Ajinomoto Soccer Stadium. Blue and red are home color of FC Tokyo

• 4 Ajinomoto Soccer Stadium (味の素スタジアム), Nishicho 376-3 (the Keio line stops at Tobitakyu Station around game times; the stadium is a 5-minute walk from there; you can also take the bus from Chofu Station, Mitaka Station, or Musashisakai Station), ☏ +81 42-440-0555. This 50,000-seat soccer stadium is home field for Tokyo Verdy and FC Tokyo; American football, rugby games and flea markets can also be found here. (updated Jan 2016)
• Aeon Cinema Theaters Chofu (シアタス調布), 2-61-1 Kojimacho, Chofu (Trie Keio Chofu C building, across the station square), ☏ +81 42-490-0039. Large cinema complex with eleven screens and ~1,600 seats in total. Opened in 2017. (updated Dec 2023)

Buy

This suburban city offers many shopping options. Directly connected to the station is building A of Trie Keio Chofu shopping center. B (Bic Camera) and C (cinema) buildings are across the rotary. On the north side of the B building is a Parco department store and the Japanese version of Walmart, Seiyu. And on the south side, a Tokyu shopping complex is waiting for you.

• Kitaro Chaya (鬼太郎茶屋) (in front of Jindaiji gate). Shop and cafe themed for works of manga artist Mizuki Shigeru, who spent his later 50 years in Chofu. (updated Mar 2024)

Eat

• Some restaurants offer fresh seafood from Izu Islands, transported by air.
• 1 Ishi-i (い志井), Fuda 1-36-10 (on Tenjin St., north of the station), ☏ +81 424-87-1710. This lively izakaya restaurant specializes in pork, served on skewers like yakitori. The friendly staff will help you sample almost any part of the pig, including heart, liver, head meat and oesophagus, pointing to their own body to describe it, if necessary. They have usual pork and beef dishes as well. (updated Jan 2016)
• 2 Calends (かれんど), Fuda 1-43-3, ☏ +81 424-88-3157. M-Sa 12:00-23:30. This is a cut-above curry restaurant which has several curries which put the usual Japanese fare to shame. Try ordering the set menu with dessert, rum-topped ice cream is a nice finish after spicy curry. The owner may try to speak some English with you. (updated Jan 2016)

Sleep

• 1 Chofu Creston Hotel (調布クレストンホテル), 1-38-1 Kojimacho (on the 8F of Parco, north of the station), ☏ +81 424-89-5000, fax: +81 424-89-5043. The elevator for the hotel is shared with Parco, so you can experience carrying your luggage through a department store. Single ¥10,000, double ¥15,500, twin ¥17,300. 

Go next

Routes through Chofu

Hachioji ← Fuchu ←	W  E	→ Tokyo/Setagaya → Shinjuku
Hashimoto ← Tama Center ←	W  E	→ Sasazuka → into → Iwamotocho
Kofu ← Hachioji ← Kunitachi-Fuchu ←	W  E	→ Takaido → into → Tokyo
Hachioji ← Fuchu ←	W  E	→ Setagaya → Shinjuku