This month, our student Mitsutaka Hoshi takes us on a journey through Kichijoji — his favorite Tokyo neighborhood. From peaceful mornings in tree-lined parks to jazz-filled nights in cozy alleyway bars, Mitsutaka shares the hidden gems that make this corner of the megalopolis feel like home. Here’s how he experiences his city, one coffee, one conversation, and one childhood memory at a time 🇯🇵✨
Hi! I’m Mitsutaka Hoshi, originally from Tokyo and currently living in Jerusalem for work. I started learning Hebrew two years ago — a few months after arriving — thinking, lama lo? I’ve been at Citizen Café ever since, starting at Red level, and now, after eight semesters, I’m heading into Dark Green. Magniv!
Today, I’d love to share a bit about my hometown. Greater Tokyo is massive, but I want to introduce you to my favorite neighborhood: Kichijoji. Just 15 minutes from Shinjuku or Shibuya, it’s a lively, stylish area full of narrow alleys, jazz bars, vintage shops, and a beautiful park. If you ever need a break from the hustle of Tokyo, Kichijoji is the perfect escape.
1. Where do I get my coffee?
📍 “Blue Sky Coffee” Japan, 〒181-0001 Tokyo, Mitaka, Inokashira, 4 Chome−1−1 公園内)
When I go to Inokashira Park, I like to get a coffee at Blue Sky Coffee. This is a simple take-away coffee stand with a very humble look and just a few chairs out front, but it definitely serves a great cup of coffee. They roast coffee beans at their stand and you can also buy freshly roasted coffee beans there. I often buy coffee and sit on a nearby bench, looking at the pond while forest bathing, pure relaxation.
2. Where do I go when I’m feeling fancy?
📍 “Harmonica YoKocho” 1 Chome-1-3 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0004, Japan
Yokocho means “alley” in Japanese. When I feel like mingling with people, charging energy, Harmonica Yokocho is the place I go with my partner or my friends. This place is composed of many really narrow alleys where nearly 100 shops/standing bars/restaurants are jampacked within. The place has a slightly nostalgic and very relaxed atmosphere. The place is very lively especially on the weekend evenings, you often encounter interesting people and end up chatting with them over all kinds of drinks!
3. Cultural hub
📍 “Ghibli Museum”, 1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan
I grew up watching the anime works of Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most famous Japanese animation creators. “The Boy and the Heron” is his latest film, which won the US Academy Award for Best Animated Feature this year. His animation studio, Studio Ghibli, has a museum in Inokashira Park. If you’ve seen his animation before, you’ll recognize things like the life-sized robot warrior from “Castle in the Sky” and the giant Totoro from “My Neighbor Totoro”. It is so much fun to visit the museum, it brings back happy childhood memories.
4. My go-to outdoor spot
📍 “Inokashira Park”, 1 Chome-18-31 Gotenyama, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0005, Japan
It is a great hide-away spot in busy Tokyo. All year round, I go there and enjoy walking around, sitting on a bench reading a book, or eating and drinking at the restaurants or cafes located inside or nearby. The park opened in 1917 as Japan’s first public park and is especially famous as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. Every Sunday, there is an art market selling handmade products (artworks, bags, toys, and more) by the locals.
5. A place that I don’t like in the city
The trains are ridiculously crowded during rush hour. I like Tokyo, but there are just too many people! Also, I just can’t bear the humidity in summer, and I don’t like going outside at all. I’m very happy to be in the nice, dry climate of Jerusalem during the summer months.
6. A significant person for you who was born in the city or currently lives there
Hayao Miyazaki, animation creator.
When I first saw his film, it was “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind”. I was still very young and fascinated by the story. It was a fantasy story, however the messages the film delivered were really deep for me. It taught me the inner, complex reality of human beings by showing both the good and evil aspects that all humans probably have – stupidity, arrogance, affection, pride, etc. I really recommend his films.
