Chofu Travel Guide: Jindaiji Temple, Kitaro-Themed Strolls, Film Culture, and Local Soba

This historic temple was founded in 733 and is known as a place to pray for protection from misfortune and good relationships. The Shakado Hall houses a National Treasure statue of Shaka Nyorai, the historical Buddha. Spring water flows through the lush temple grounds, and soba production developed here thanks to the area’s abundant water supply.
More than 20 soba restaurants operate nearby, making the noodles a local specialty. In addition to New Year’s visits and Setsubun, the area draws large crowds for events such as the Daruma Market, held every year on March 3 and 4; the summer Hozuki Festival, usually held in late July; and the fall Soba Festival.

This botanical garden covers approximately 124 acres and contains around 100,000 trees and plants representing about 4,800 varieties. The grounds are divided by plant type into areas such as the rose garden, azalea garden, and plum garden, each offering a colorful display when the flowers reach their peak. Events are also held to coincide with flowering seasons, so check the schedule before visiting.
A large greenhouse next to the rose garden is another highlight, offering a look at rare tropical plants and vividly colored flowers that are not usually seen in everyday life.

Fudaten Shrine is one of the Tama area’s leading ancient shrines and is listed in the Engishiki, a collection of laws and regulations completed in 927. According to shrine tradition, it was founded during the reign of Emperor Suinin, the 11th emperor of Japan. The enshrined deities are Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto and Sugawara no Michizane, and the shrine attracts worshippers praying for academic success and passing examinations. The grounds, shaded by old and towering trees, have a peaceful atmosphere and contain numerous historic features, including the main sanctuary and guardian lion-dog statues designated as cultural properties by Chofu City.
In “GeGeGe no Kitaro,” Kitaro is depicted as living in the wooded area at the back of the shrine grounds, allowing visitors to imagine the manga’s world as they pay their respects.

Kitaro Hiroba is a park themed around “GeGeGe no Kitaro.” Its playground equipment and sculptures bring the world of Shigeru Mizuki’s manga to life, including a Nurikabe climbing wall, an Ittan-momen bench, and a slide shaped like Kitaro’s house. Visitors can also search for yokai such as Yamabiko and Konaki-jiji hidden throughout the park and take commemorative photos with them.
On the way from Chofu Station to the park, visitors will also pass through the Shigeru Mizuki Zone, where a bronze statue of Neko Musume and character-themed lights make the walk itself entertaining.

The Mushakoji Saneatsu Memorial Museum presents the life and achievements of author Saneatsu Mushakoji. A leading figure in the Shirakaba literary movement, he produced more than 7,000 literary works, including novels, plays, and poems.
Through handwritten manuscripts, calligraphy, paintings, and pieces from his personal art collection, visitors can learn about his creative work and relationships with other people. The exhibits change approximately every five weeks, offering different discoveries depending on when you visit.
The adjacent Saneatsu Park is another highlight. The former residence where he spent about the final 20 years of his life is preserved in the park and is registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property. Visitors can also tour the interior on designated open days.

Shigeru Mizuki lived and created manga in Chofu for more than 50 years.
Tenjin-dori Shopping Street, about a 5-minute walk from Chofu Station, is said to have been the route Mizuki walked every day between his home and his workplace near the station. Today, it is also affectionately known as Kitaro Street, with monuments of Kitaro, Neko Musume, and other yokai scattered throughout the shopping district. Stroll through the area in search of your favorite characters and stop by Kitaro Chaya along the way. The shop carries merchandise related to the series, including exclusive products, and also offers an extensive takeout menu.
Across the street is the Kitaro Chaya Hanare cafe, where visitors can take a break in a retro Showa-era setting immersed in the world of yokai.

Chofu’s reputation as a city of film began with the Tamagawa film studio, which opened near present-day Keio-tamagawa Station in 1933. The natural environment was well suited to filming both period and contemporary dramas, while the area’s high-quality groundwater, essential for developing film, helped attract studios. During the golden age of Japanese cinema in the 1950s, numerous studios produced movies here, and Chofu became so active that it was called the “Hollywood of the East.”
Today, around 40 film and video-related companies remain based in the city, including Kadokawa Daiei Studio and Nikkatsu Chofu Studio. Their interiors are generally closed to the public, but a walk through the surrounding area offers a sense of the distinctive atmosphere that continues Chofu’s filmmaking legacy.

Chofu’s film culture can be found in many places throughout the city.
For example, the Film Reference Room on the 5th floor of Chofu City Cultural Hall Tazukuri houses books, magazines, scripts, pamphlets, and other film-related materials, particularly from Nikkatsu and Daiei. Some of these materials can be viewed inside the facility, offering insight into classic movies and the history of filmmaking.
To visit sites associated with cinema, head to Tamagawa 5-chome Children’s Park, home to the Monument to Film Actors, engraved with the names of movie stars, and the Monument to the Birthplace of Film in Chofu.
The Cinema Festival in Chofu, City of Film is also held each February. In addition to movie screenings, the festival features guest talks, exhibitions of related materials, workshops, and a variety of other programs.

A visit to Jindaiji is about more than worshipping at the temple; the surrounding area is also worth exploring. The approach is lined with tempting local specialties such as soba bread, soy sauce-glazed rice dumplings, and soba buns. Sample sweets and light snacks while taking in the atmosphere of this traditional temple town.
For a hands-on craft experience, try rakuyaki pottery painting, which lets you decorate an unglazed piece of your choice. Your original pottery will be fired in about 20 minutes, making it an ideal travel souvenir. If you have more time, consider visiting Daruchan no Ouchi. There, you can spend about 2 hours making a Chofu Daruma by writing a wish on the doll, covering it with fabric, and painting its face.
Finish your visit with a Jindaiji Beer, made using renowned water from the Chichibu mountain range, the same source as Jindaiji’s spring water, and savor the memories of your trip.

Mayo Terrace is a mayonnaise-themed visitor facility operated by Kewpie. The facility is divided into five areas, where guided tours introduce the history of mayonnaise, the secrets behind its flavor, and innovations in its production.
Playful exhibits include the Mayonnaise Dome, approximately 500,000 times the size of an actual mayonnaise bottle, and the Factory Walk, where visitors pass through an air shower and experience factory hygiene procedures. At the end, visitors can sample vegetables and discover new ways to appreciate mayonnaise. Admission is free, and the experience is suitable for everyone from children to adults.
Advance reservations are required. Entry is permitted from 20 minutes before the tour begins.

This day-use hot spring offers high-quality water that soothes both body and mind. The natural sodium chloride spring has a salt concentration similar to that of the human body, placing very little strain on bathers. The water is poured into the baths at its original concentration without being diluted.
The surprisingly jet-black color comes from the high concentration of humic acid, an organic substance created as plants such as kelp and ferns matured in a geological layer about 4,900 feet underground. The facility offers several types of baths, including an open-air bath and cold-water bath, as well as a stone sauna and conventional sauna. Its design also incorporates feng shui principles.