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 allergy or are vegetarians.
About INOKA
The cafe, opened in 2018, has a simple but stylish interior. Table sets are not available. Instead, a simple bench is fixed along the dark wall. A few wooden coffee stands are also attached for you to place your drinks.
Tip: If you visit INOKA with friends, don’t order your drinks separately. Instead, order two or more drinks in one go. The cafe will pack your drinks using their unique carry bag! It has an image of a part of the Inokashira Park, making it a great souvenir!
INOKA’s Menu
In our opinion, the coffee there is better than Starbucks. Their Choco Mint Latte is the most popular item on the latte menu. If you like mint or the day is hot, order a cold latte instead of a hot drink!
The Iced Choco Mint Latte has a fantastic look. The aqua-blue minty drink beautifully contrasted with the chocolate sauce drawn on the upper part of the cup. No matter what the background is, a photo of the drink will definitely earn you a lot of attention on social media!
The tofu donuts come in four flavors: plain, cinnamon, matcha, and kinako (soy bean powder). They all have a chewy texture with crispy skin. Just note that wheat flour is used, so it isn’t gluten-free.
In summer, shaved ice of 15 flavors is also sold at INOKA, perfect for combating the heat!
Alcoholic drinks are on the menu, too.
Tip: You can pay an extra 50 yen to swap milk with soy milk!
INOKA’s Business Hours and Access Information
- INOKA is open from:
- 10 am to 5:30 pm from Tuesday to Friday
- 9:30 am to 6 pm on weekends and public holidays
- The cafe is a 5-minute walk from Kichijoji Station.
Other Vegetarian-Friendly Cafes Around Inokashira Park
Inokashira Park in Kichijōji is a great urban park to enjoy nature. You can easily spend a few hours in this vast park. But the longer you stay there, the emptier your stomach will get. Many visitors would visit one of the cafes in or around Inokashira Park. A couple of them are vegan/vegetarian-friendly!
Thus, refer to our Vegetarian-Friendly Cafes Around Inokashira Park to plan your visit!
Discover the Attractions in Kichijōji
Now that you know where to go for a tea break, it is time to discover the attractions in Kichijōji. The neighborhood rated “The Most Desirable Area to Live” is great for almost everything. It is also where the famous Ghibli Museum is located!
For more ideas of what to do in the area, refer to our Kichijōji article!
