If you are in Osaka from late February to early July and are after an off-the-beaten-path spot to enjoy nature and different kinds of flowers, consider heading to Osaka Garden of Floral Culture! The vast park is divided into several zones, each with a different type of flowers planted. Although getting there isn’t straightforward, you […]
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Inokashira Park (井の頭公園) is Kichijōji’s landmark. That park is just a 5-minute walk from Kichijoji Station and has a ground of 42,000 square meters. Completed in 1917, it is the first suburban park in Japan. But the most important fact is that Inokashira Park is one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Around Inokashira
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If you are a cat lover and are after a cute cat cafe, visit Temari no Oshiro (Cat cafe てまりのおしろ) in Kichijōji Petit Mura! The cafe, home to around 20 fluffy and friendly cats, is basically a cat castle. Walking through the unusually cute door is like entering the world of cats!
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If you prefer organic food, visit Crayon House (クレヨンハウス吉祥寺) on Taishō-dōri Shopping Street (大正通り) in Kichijōji. The natural food spot has a restaurant and an organic grocery and product shop with many vegan options. Lunch and dinner are served in buffet style! The menu changes daily, so you won’t be eating the same thing if
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Obuse is a lovely town in Nagano Prefecture, famous for its delicious chestnuts and ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai from the 18th century. And it is also on the way to Jigokudani Monkey Park (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ. While the main street of Obuse is within a 10-minute walk from Nagano Dentetsu’s Obuse Station, to really explore Obuse properly,
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Monzen Terrace Enya (エンヤ) is an Izakaya-style restaurant at the starting point of Zenkoji Temple‘s approach. Befitting the restaurant’s name, it has a large comfortable terrace at the back. When the weather is good, sit at one of the tables on the terrace for fresh air. There might even be a few adorable dogs that
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If you are after a nice boutique Italian diner in Tokyo, visit momento (モメント) in Kichijōji! The chef of this vegan-friendly restaurant near Inokashira Park was trained and had worked in Italian restaurants in Italy. Thus, the dishes he cooks using a mixture of both local and Italian ingredients are authentic. Moreover, momento won an
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On the bridge leading to Inokashira Boathouse, you might notice a traditional building at the other end of the lake. It is the home of the Benzaiten, who gets jealous of happy couples rowing boats in Inokashira Park. The Inokashira Benzaiten Temple (井の頭弁財天) in the park’s northwest corner is serene and ideal for contemplation. The
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Besides INOKA, Blue Sky Coffee (ブルースカイコーヒー) is another place to head for a coffee break in Inokashira Park. It is also the spot for all cat lovers. However, just to be clear, this isn’t a cat cafe. It is a place where you can purchase cat-shaped donuts (ねこドーナツ)!
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If you are tired from trekking around Inokashira Park or paddling the swan boat, visit INOKA (イノカ) for a quick break. The cafe at the side of Nanai Bridge (七井橋) offers tofu donuts and coffee with soy milk. The handmade tofu donuts there are egg-free and dairy-free, making them perfect for those who have an
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