If you come to Kichijōji for local food and snacks, visit the Daiyagai (吉祥寺ダイヤ街) parallel to Kichijoji Station beyond Harmonica Yokochō. The arcade is divided into three zones: the East Zone (イースト・ゾーン), the West Zone (ウエスト・ゾーン), and the Dome Zone (ドーム・ゾーン). When you walk on the covered shopping street, you will notice that more than 50 per cent of the establishments are food-related!
Table of Contents
- Daiyagai’s Structure
- Rogers Kichijōji (ロヂャース 吉祥寺店)
- Happy Pancake Kichijōji (幸せのパンケーキ 吉祥寺店)
- Ozasa (小ざさ)
- Okashi no Machinaka Kichijōji (おかしのまちおか 吉祥寺店)
- Daikokuya Kichijōji Shop (大黒屋)
Daiyagai’s Structure
The East Zone is the street that forms Harmonica Yokochō‘s north border, stretching from the SUNROAD Shopping District. It has the most shops and restaurants in Daiyagai. The West Zone is the second half beyond the intersection. The South Zone forms the letter T with the West Zone. Each of the three zones is around 80 to 90 meters long.
If you ever wonder which zone you are in, look up for the banner flags!
Rogers Kichijōji (ロヂャース 吉祥寺店)
The first shop we want to introduce is Rogers Kichijōji, a discount chain store. It is like a smaller Don Quijote, where the locals source their daily necessities but at a cheaper price.
Rogers has a wide range of merchandise. What might interest you as a tourist is probably the snacks, alcohol, clothing, and maybe the convenient household commodities you can’t find in your own country.
Because the shops on Daiyagai usually have limited space, the Rogers in Kichijōji is divided into three stores. Rogers 2 and 3 are next to each other, with Rogers 1 opposite the two stores.
Although the isles are narrow, the locals usually give way to each other making shopping at Rogers a rather pleasant experience. Plus, the staff there are kind and friendly.
Rogers Kichijōji’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Rogers Kichijōji is open from 10 am to 9 pm.
- The shop is a 3-minute walk from Kichijoji Station’s north exit.
Happy Pancake Kichijōji (幸せのパンケーキ 吉祥寺店)
You might have seen those wobbly pancakes on YouTube or TikTok. If it is on your must-eat bucket list, visit Happy Pancake Kichijōji. The pancake chain specializes in waffles with a texture similar to soufflé. The thick pancakes are made using New Zealand’s manuka honey and Hokkaidō’s milk. Sauce and/or fresh fruits of your choice are then added. A bite into the fluffy and soft pancake, the eggy and milky flavor overflows in your mouth that you can’t help but smile.
The store has a bright and stylish interior. With its friendly and attentive staff, Happy Pancake is a cozy place for tea time. English menu is also available too.
Happy Pancake’s pancake dishes all come with three stacks of pancakes. While that might sound like a lot of food, there is no need to worry about potential wastage. The taste is so light that all the pancakes will be gone in a flash. That being said, the ones with chocolate sauce and those with whipped cream might be a little bit too much for those with a small appetite!
If you are unsure which pancake to order, the framboise flavor is good if you like a bit of sourness amongst the sweetness. The tiramisu flavour is another great choice. It is less sweet and comes with a shot of espresso for you to pour over.
Besides the sweet pancakes, savory flavors are also available. They come with an omelet and fresh salad. The savory pancakes are made from whole grain flour, making them healthier to eat. The Pancake & Mushroom Cheese Fluffy Omelets (パンケーキ＆きのこチーズオムレツ) and Pancake & Fluffy Omelets (パンケーキ＆ふわとろオムレツ) are most likely vegetarian.
Tip: Making an Online Reservation is recommended as the cafe is popular!
Happy Pancake Kichijōji’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Happy Pancake Kichijōji is open from:
- 10:30 am to 7:30 pm on weekdays
- The last order is taken at 6:45 pm.
- 10 am to 8:30 pm on weekends and public holidays
- The last order is taken at 7:40 pm.
- 10:30 am to 7:30 pm on weekdays
- The cafe is located on the 3rd floor of Renga-kan Mall (レンガ館モール) and is a 3-minute walk from Kichijoji Station’s north exit.
- Please use the escalator. You are not expected to climb the stairs.
Ozasa (小ざさ)
Ozasa is one of Kichijōji’s most famous traditional confectionery shops. It is a shop that the locals are willing to queue up for! The small shop at the corner, established in 1951, is a yōkan specialist. Using simple raw ingredients, the confectionery maker using the traditional methods offers simple but amazing yōkan. The yōkan there is so popular that it is best to queue by around 7:30 am to get the numbered ticket to purchase it!
For more information, refer to our Ozasa article!
Okashi no Machinaka Kichijōji (おかしのまちおか 吉祥寺店)
Opposite Ozasa is THE place to go for snacks, such as lollies, chips, cookies, biscuits, nuts, and much more. Aside from the items that can be found in most convenience stores and supermarket chains, Okashi no Machinaka sells snacks that can hardly be found elsewhere, too! It is a shop that most will never leave empty-handed.
The prices are on the cheaper end, so it is no wonder the shop is always crowded. What is on the shelf changes often, so if there is anything you want, get it on the day to avoid disappointment.
Okashi no Machioka Kichijōji’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Okashi no Machioka Kichijōji is open from 10 am to 9 pm.
- The shop is a 3-minute walk from Kichijoji Station’s north exit.
Daikokuya Kichijōji Shop (大黒屋)
Daikokuya is a pawn shop chain. You might think you have no business going inside a pawn shop when traveling in Japan, but that might not always be true. Most pawn shops in Japan also sell bullet train tickets. If you plan to take the Shinkansen in Japan but a JR Pass won’t be worth it for your itinerary, visit Daikokuya and get a discounted unreserved ticket!
Pawn shops can sell bullet train tickets at a slightly cheaper price because the tickets can be purchased in bulk in Japan. A discount is applied when purchased in bulk. The shops also take advantage of the special deals that are released from time to time.
As tourists don’t usually visit a pawn shop, the staff might not speak English. Please ensure that you have downloaded a Translation App for smoother communication.
Tip: Refer to our Guide to Is the JR Pass Worth It to determine which JR Pass you should get (if any) for your next Japan trip.
Currency exchange is also one of their services!
Note that Daikokuya’s Kichijōji Shop has suspended its ticket-selling service, although this may change in the future. If you are in the area, still check them out!
Daikokuya Kichijōji’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Daikokuya Kichijōji is open from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm except from the end of December to the beginning of January.
- The shop is a 3-minute walk from Kichijoji Station’s north exit.
Discover the Attractions in Kichijōji
In addition to Kichijōji Daiyagai, Kichijōj that was rated “The Most Desirable Area to Live In” 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!
