Nishitokyo

Nishitokyo's location in Tokyo

Nishitokyo (西東京市 Nishitōkyō-shi) is a city in western Tokyo.

Understand

Nishitokyo is located in western Tokyo, about 30 minutes by train from Shinjuku. Like much of western Tokyo, it's largely residential, with businesses concentrated around the train stations. The area has a lot of small parks and trees, in contrast with central Tokyo, which has skyscrapers and a lot more concrete.

Get in

The only train line running through the city is the Seibu Shinjuku Line (西武新宿線), which ends in Shinjuku to the east and Hon-Kawagoe to the west.

See

The Skytower in Nishitokyo

• 1 Skytower West Tokyo (スカイタワー西東京) (20 minutes' walk WNW from Tanashi Station). This tall tower is perhaps the only iconic landmark in Nishitokyo. At night, it lights in varying colors. 

Do

Tamako Jitenshado at night

• 1 DyDo Drinco Ice Arena (ダイドードリンコアイスアリーナ), Higashi Fushimi 3-1-25 (just SE of Higashi Fushimi Station), ☏ +81 42-467-7171. This ice rink has ice hockey and public skating. On weekends, there are very limited public skating hours, so calling in advance to check on open skating times is recommended. Open skating ¥1200 admission, ¥500 skate rental. 
• 2 Tamako Jitenshado (多摩湖自転車道) (the southern terminus is on the main thoroughfare Itsukaichikaido and just across the street from Gusto in northern Musashino). This 12-km bike and pedestrian path begins along the southern edge of Nishitokyo, runs fairly straight NW, and terminates far to the NW at two reservoirs. It makes for a nice walk or leisurely bike ride of any desirable length. 

Buy

The best shopping in Nishitokyo is found around the north side of Tanashi Station, where there are several department stores and many other shops.

• 1 Jupiter Coffee (ジュピターコーヒー), Tanashicho 2-1-1 (in the basement of the Seibu department store just north of Tanashi Station), ☏ +81 42-460-2661. This shop has best selection of foreign food in Nishitokyo. 

Eat

Restaurants are found in concentration near Tanashi Station.

• 1 Abiskar (アビスカ), Prince Plaza 109, Minamimachi 4-4-2 (several hundred meters east of Tanashi Station's south exit, on the right), ☏ +81 4-2469-7880. 11:00-15:00, 17:00-23:30. A small Nepalese-Indian restaurant, great for budget travelers. ¥700 sets. 
• 2 Dropkick (ドロップキック), Tanashicho 3-11-9, ☏ +81 42-467-6337. This restaurant specializes in okonomiyaki and has a well-stocked bar. ¥600-1200 per plate. 
• 3 RAJ (らじ), Minamicho 3-2-11, ☏ +81 42-463-5530. Daily 11:00-23:00. An Indian restaurant that makes for a good late evening stop. ¥500-1000. 
• 4 Texas (テキサス田無店), Tanashi-cho 3-3-8 (from the north exit of Tanashi Station, go two traffic lights north; the restaurant is on the right about 30 m before the second light), ☏ +81 42-466-2898. M-F 11:30-15:30, 17:30-00; Sa Su 11:30-00:00. This is a western-style steak house chain serving hamburgers, steaks, and desserts. ¥1000-3000. 
• 5 Ichikawa (いち川), Minamicho 4-4-2 (from the south exit of Tanashi Station, go east parallel to the tracks for around 200 m; the restaurant is in a covered row of shops just south of the street), ☏ +81 42-468-7559. M-F 11:30-13:30, 17:00-21:00; Sa 11:30-13:30, 16:30-21:00. A small and tasty and clean tempura restaurant. ¥700-1500. 

Drink

• 1 Karaoke Mokomoko (カラオケモコモコ), Tanashicho 3-9-14 (2 blocks NE of Tanashi Station), ☏ +81 42-463-5733. This is a clean karaoke parlor with an extensive drink list. The song selection is quite extensive. 

Sleep

Itsukaichikaido's autumn leaves

If you have no specific reason to stay in this area, Shinjuku is thirty minutes by train, centrally located, and has a large selection hotels.

• 1 Shirakawa Ryokan (白河旅館), Tanashicho 4-6-8 (from the north exit of Tanashi Station, go west along the train tracks for 300 m), ☏ +81 42-461-4438. This is a small and clean ryokan. The staff are friendly and helpful, but they only speak Japanese. Reservations by telephone, also only in Japanese. Room and breakfast ¥6000 per person. (updated Aug 2016)

Connect

• 1 Nishitokyo City Hall (西東京市役所), 5-6-13 Minamicho (300 m SW of Tanashi Station.), ☏ +81 42-464-1311. City Hall has essential for long-term residents of the city. Important information is available in Japanese and (on paper) in English. 

Go next

To the south is Musashino, home of the popular shopping area Kichijoji.

• Higashikurume
• Koganei
• Kodaira
• Higashimurayama
• Higashiyamato
• Niiza
• Tokorozawa
• Shiki
• Asaka

Routes through Nishitokyo

Hon-Kawagoe ← Kodaira ←

W  E

→ Seibu-Shinjuku