Hugging the Tama River, Chōfu is a western suburb in the sprawling Tokyo Metropolis. It’s home to the 8th-century Jindaiji temple and Tokyo’s main botanical gardens, as well as the National Astronomical Observatory History Museum.

Things to do

The most famous landmark in Chōfu is the Tendai sect temple of Jindaiji, the second oldest temple in Tokyo. Step through the ornate 17th-century gate to admire the temple’s bronze Buddha statue, then experience the Edo Period atmosphere of the surrounding streets clustered with soba noodle restaurants and historic water wheels.

Head to the Jindai Botanical Gardens, which boast the largest rose garden in Tokyo. Stroll amidst the beautiful displays of Japanese azaleas, plum and cherry blossoms, then visit the unique aquatic plant display and the informative educational centre to learn more about Japanese flora.

Relax in picturesque Nogawa Park, which extends along the Nogawa River. It was transformed from a golf course into a multi-purpose recreational hub, with a natural spring, tennis courts and a field for playing the fast-paced Japanese mallet sport of gateball.

Chōfu is also home to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and its Observatory History Museum, which is set within a Heritage-listed building that dates back to 1926. Learn about its construction using the help of shipbuilders and discover Japan’s long associations with the celestial world.

Getting around

Chōfu is 15 minutes by subway from Shinjuku Station and just over one hour from Haneda Airport. Although buses travel throughout Chōfu, many of its sights are within walking distance of the suburb’s subway stations.