Inokashira Park in Kichijōji is a great urban park to enjoy nature. You can easily spend a couple of hours in this vast park. But the longer you stay there, the emptier your stomach will get. So, many would grab a picnic mat and food to picnic on the park’s lawn or benches. But if that sounds too troublesome, cafes in and around Inokashira Park offer nice food and drinks. A couple of them are vegan/vegetarian-friendly! Thus, refer to the below list to plan your visit!
A List of Recommended Vegetarian-Friendly Cafes Around Inokashira Park
- INOKA (イノカ)
- Blue Sky Coffee (ブルースカイコーヒー)
- Mlesna Tea Tokyo (ムレスナティー東京)
- Chai Break (チャイブレイク)
- Café du Lièvre Bunny House (カフェ・ドゥ・リエーヴル うさぎ館)
INOKA (イノカ)
If you are tired from trekking around Inokashira Park or paddling the swan boat, visit INOKA (イノカ) for a rest. The cafe at the side of Nanai Bridge (七井橋) offers tofu donuts and coffee with soy milk. The handmade tofu donuts here are made without using dairy or eggs, perfect for those who have an allergy or want to eat healthily.
For more information, refer to our INOKA article!
Blue Sky Coffee (ブルースカイコーヒー)
Blue Sky Coffee is another place to head for coffee in Inokashira Park. It is also the spot for all the cat lovers. But just to be clear, this isn’t a cat cafe, but where you can purchase cat-shape donuts (ねこドーナツ)!
For more information, refer to our article on Blue Sky Coffee!
Mlesna Tea Tokyo (ムレスナティー東京)
A spot to have a relaxing afternoon tea and live like a celebrity on the side of Inokashira Park is Mlesna Tea Tokyo. The cafe that overlooks the park looks like a villa. The space beyond the gate is like a VIP lounge. Just by being in the luxurious space, it already feels like you are a part of the upper class!
For more information, refer to our article on Mlesna Tea Tokyo!
Chai Break (チャイブレイク)
For those who love spices, the cafe for you to visit is Chai Break. The Spice Chai (スパイスチャイ), made by mixing black tea with six spices, is the signatory drink here. It is another way to enjoy the black tea. As a chai specialist, it offers a couple of ways to enjoy the chai.
For more information, refer to our article on Chai Break!
Café du Lièvre Bunny House (カフェ・ドゥ・リエーヴル うさぎ館)
Between Inokashira Benzaiten and the Ghibli Museum, Café du Lièvre Bunny House is a spot known for the crispy galette made using buckwheat flour. You can choose from several savory Bretagne-style galettes, including a couple of vegetarian flavors. Each galette is topped with plenty of fresh vegetables, cheese, and different toppings. Sweet crêpes are also available for dessert.
Because the cafe is in Inokashira Park, it is like a cottage in the forest. The natural light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights makes the place brighter and relaxing. From the glass-enclosed interior, you can see the people passing by in the park, making it a great spot to daydream.
As its name suggests, bunny and rabbit decors and paintings are used to decorate the cafe. While no real rabbits are hopping around, it is a pet-friendly cafe. So, a couple of dogs might be around when you visit it. Heading down the staircase at the entrance’s right, there is a small art gallery for anyone interested in contemporary art.
In summer, Café du Lièvre Bunny House also serves Japanese-style shaved ice and smoothies to help you combat the heat.
Café du Lièvre Bunny House’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Café du Lièvre Bunny House is open from
- 11 am to 5 pm on weekdays
- 10:30 am to 5 pm on weekends and public holidays
- The cafe is a 10-minute walk from Kichijoji Station’s south exit.
Discover the Attractions in Kichijōji
While Inokashira Park is definitely what you shouldn’t miss out on when you are in Kichijōji, this part of Tokyo has much more to offer! The neighborhood 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!
So, for more ideas of what to do in the area, refer to our Kichijōji article!
