On the western edge of Chofu city is Ajinomoto Stadium (Tokyo Stadium), a multipurpose stadium with natural grass that can house 50,000 people at any one time. Besides serving as the location for various events including J.League (Japanese professional soccer league) matches and concerts, the Ajinomoto Stadium hosted the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and will be hosting international sports competitions in 2020 as well. This summer, this stadium will be where fierce competitions for soccer, rugby and the modern pentathlon (swimming, fencing, equestrian and laser-run) will unfold!

To get to the stadium, take the train westwards from the Shinjuku Station for about 20 minutes and alight at the closest station Tobitakyū Station on the Keiō Line. A five-minute walk will take you to Ajinomoto Stadium. The location is extremely accessible, considering the fact that it only takes you a single train to reach from the city center. Plus, you can get there by bus, or by taking the special train and bus services provided during large-scale events, so be sure to check out the most convenient route before you head there!

Located just 20 kilometers away from the city center, Chofu remains an area blessed with lots of nature and filled with the vestiges of Musashino, all while still being close to the heart of Tokyo.

From Jindaiji Temple, a representative of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, to a tourist attraction with popular anime series “Gegege no Kitarō” as its theme, to the “JAXA Chofu Aerospace Center” responsible for cutting-edge research and development, you can enjoy many aspects of Japanese culture.

Plus, you can bask in nature to your heart’s content at Kamidai Botanical Garden and Tamagawa. In front of Chofu station, which lies in the heart of the city, are shops and eateries frequented by many, making this place a convenient location to do some shopping and eating. But how about getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while?

A representative of Chofu city’s sightseeing spots, Jindaiji Temple is a good place to stop by to pray for the outcome of a match and to fill your tummy. This temple houses the “Shakanyoraizō (Hakuhoubutsu)”, the oldest Buddha statue in Eastern Japan which has also been designated as a national treasure.

With a 1,300-year long history, Jindaiji Temple was founded in year 733, taking its name from the water deity “Jinjadaiō” who was enshrined in it. Well-known for warding off evil and for matchmaking, many people come by Jindaiji Temple on the weekends to take in the surrounding scenery and to taste the famous Jindaiji soba noodles.

Thanks to the abundance of spring water here, the making of soba noodles has developed together with rich water sources. Thus, came about the specialty food “Jindaiji soba” – today, there are as many as 20 different soba shops around the temple. A dish loved by many since the Edo period, these soba noodles are a must-try if you visit the temple!

Are you a fan of anime and Japanese supernatural monsters, demons and spirits also known as yōkai? If you like Japanese subculture, “Kitarō Chaya” is the perfect place for you!

Located on the way to Jindaiji Temple, this cafe has adopted Japan’s most famous yōkai manga, “Gegege no Kitarō” as its theme. Now, you can revisit the world of “Gegege no Kitarō” right here in Chōfu, often considered to be the creator Mizuki Shigeru’s second hometown. The characters Kitarō, Medama Oyaji and Nezumi Otoko are featured on the outer wall of the store, while the courtyard is filled with various yōkai decorations. Since there are lots of foreign fans, the place is a popular spot always bustling with activity everyday.

The interior is styled like a traditional home and furnished with tables, big and small. “Gegege no Kitarō” themed original sweets and seasonal menu items are available in the café, while there are approximately 700 different types of Kitarō goods sold in the shop attached to it! The location is extremely Instagram-worthy too – even if you are not a fan of this series, “Kitarō Chaya” is definitely still a place worth checking out at least once!

Located just two minutes away from Tobitakyū, the nearest station to Ajinomoto Stadium, is “Uoine”, an izakaya that serves delicious seafood. Here, for a reasonable price, you can enjoy fresh seafood carefully selected by the restaurant owner on his daily trips to the market.

The “Jōuo Ineteishoku” rice set includes fresh sashimi accompanied by wild vegetables and seafood tempura. A popular choice at lunchtime, it is priced at 1,800 yen (tax excluded).

The sashimi is made from seasonal fish, and in particular, the fatty portion of the bluefin tuna. On top of a generous portion of tempura, the set is served with Japanese steamed egg, known as chawanmushi, and other side dishes, making it an extremely satisfying meal!

In addition to exceptionally fresh seafood, the menu serves a line-up of popular izakaya dishes including grilled skewered chicken known as yakitori and stewed beef tendon tempura. With a large selection of lunchtime sets available from 1,000 yen, this restaurant is ideal not just for dinner but for lunch too.

Worked up a big sweat cheering for your favorite team? How about soaking in an onsen next to recharge? “Jindaiji Tennen Onsen Yumori no Sato” is where you can enjoy the natural hot springs while surrounded by the nature of Musashino, without having to spend the night. This onsen is frequented not only by the locals but is a popular spot for foreigners too.

The salinity level of the natural hot springs corresponds to the salt level in our bodies and thus places less of a burden on the body. This jet black onsen contains lots of humic acid, an organic matter derived from the decay of the kelp and fern in a stratum 1,500 meters below ground and is filled with minerals too.

The interior is designed with feng shui in mind and boasts a variety of different kinds of onsen. This includes the salt hearth sauna “Shiogamafuro”, a low frequency electric bath, a cauldron bath known as “Goemonburo”, “Takimifuro” which offers you a view of a waterfall, as well as white cloudy foot baths to soak your feet in. Plus, the latest addition to Yumori no Sato is a projection mapping bath. Top off the onsen with the relaxation menu for the best form of refreshment for yourself!