Xiaodong's Japan Trip: Kichijoji Chapter

Kichijoji is no stranger to Chinese living in Japan or backpackers who love independent travel. It was once ranked the most popular residential area in Tokyo for five consecutive years. Even years ago, a Japanese drama themed around Kichijoji became a hit—*Is It Only Kichijoji That You Want to Live In?* Although the drama actually tells that besides Kichijoji, there are many other great places in Tokyo worth living in, it instead sparks strong curiosity in viewers: what kind of place is it that deserves a whole TV series as its subject?

Although Kichijoji is not part of Tokyo's 23 special wards, its convenient transportation can reach Shinjuku within 10 minutes, and it boasts a bustling shopping street. Stepping out of Kichijoji Station, you are greeted by this lively shopping street—Kichijoji Sun Road Shopping Street. Even though Xiaodong visited on a regular weekday, the place was still crowded with people. There were elderly folks over seventy and energetic school students. When groups of middle school students in Japanese uniforms walk toward you, you get a surreal feeling of being inside a Japanese drama. For tourists, this is a unique experience.

The shops here include not only the drugstores that domestic tourists love, but also many restaurants, clothing stores, bubble tea shops, and more. Strolling around, eating and drinking, it's perfect for visitors with ample time to while away a lazy afternoon.

Leaving the shopping street and walking along Kichijoji's roads, you can feel the strong atmosphere of daily life everywhere. Flower shops are随处可见, with a wide variety and low prices. If you live in Tokyo, you might pick a favorite green plant to take home.

A 10-minute walk from the station takes you into the local residential area. Perhaps because Kichijoji has long been labeled with tags like "petit bourgeois, artistic, vibrant with daily life, shopping," even an ordinary alley feels full of Japanese artistic flair. Just like Jay Chou's song goes: "The sparrows outside the window gossip on the telephone poles. You say this line feels very summery."

Hmm, an abrupt line that inadvertently reveals my age.

A 20-plus-minute walk from the station brings you to Inokashira Park. Upon arriving at Inokashira Park, what you mostly see are families pushing strollers, holding children's hands, or walking dogs, as well as couples and friends walking side by side and playfully teasing each other. Particularly, there are so many people walking dogs that it almost gives you the illusion that every household here owns one.

PS: In the eight years Xiaodong has lived in Japan, the first time he saw Japanese people fighting was here. Two middle-aged Japanese men got into a scuffle over a dog—well, to be precise, over the dog's barking. But honestly, Japanese people fight so gently; it's completely different from the punching and kicking we imagine. It felt like two people who didn't want to fight were forced to, hesitating even before throwing a punch. Then an elderly Japanese woman passing by hurriedly stepped in to mediate, while her dog started barking fiercely at the other man's dog. The chaos—just picture it yourself. (￣﹏￣；)

At that moment, I realized: Ah, this is Kichijoji! Kichijoji wrapped in a rich atmosphere of everyday life!

I happened to run into an NHK street interview. It wouldn't be surprising to see a celebrity walking a dog in slippers, shuffling along here.

Inokashira Park has many long benches for resting. Many people like to sit quietly alone here, listening to music, watching the lake in front and the boats slowly drifting across, enjoying the lazy afternoon sunlight and the verdant greenery.

Lately, I've become obsessed with reading books about workplace rules and life principles. Perhaps because I've reached thirty, I find myself thinking more than before. Sitting here quietly flipping through a few pages, I feel the tranquility of time, and whenever a gentle breeze passes, every hair on my skin feels so comfortable it wants to dance.

On weekdays, Inokasira Park is relatively calm, but on weekends when crowds gather, you can see simple magic shows and street live performances. People sit together watching, admiring with curious eyes, occasionally letting out small gasps of amazement or bursting into enthusiastic applause. All this tightly connects the performers and the audience, creating a unique rapport that exists only in this performance area.

Another thing worth mentioning is that a 15-minute walk from the south exit of Kichijoji Station takes you to the holy land for anime fans—the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka. Designed by Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki himself, the Ghibli Museum is a dream city every animation fan longs for.

Due to the pandemic, the museum was still closed on the day Xiaodong visited. Through the fence, he could see staff inside carefully tending to the flowers and plants. Just like the themes of peace, kindness, and beauty conveyed in Miyazaki's animations, I hope this COVID-19 pandemic will end soon, and everything returns to beauty!

Attached information on the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka:

Transportation: About 15 minutes on foot from the south exit of Mitaka Station on the JR Chuo Line; about 15 minutes on foot from the south exit of Kichijoji Station on the JR Chuo Line and Keio Inokashira Line. From Mitaka Station or Kichijoji Station, you can take a bus to the museum. From Mitaka Station, take the bus from the south exit and get off at "Ghibli Museum, Mitaka"; from Kichijoji Station, take the bus from the south exit and get off at "Mansuke Bridge."

Tickets: Ages 4-6: 100 yen; Ages 7-12: 400 yen; Ages 13-18: 700 yen; Ages 19 and above: 1,000 yen. Free for children under 4. Important! Tickets for the next month go on sale from the 10th of each month. So be sure to book in advance!!!

Written at the end: Although I had heard of Kichijoji before, this was my first time actually visiting. Before coming, I harbored the question, "Why on earth was this chosen as the neighborhood people most want to live in?" But after walking around here, the question resolved itself, and the answer is clear in my heart. If you have the same question as I did, then come and take a stroll in Kichijoji—maybe you'll find your own answer!