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Exploring Tokyo's West Side | Chofu, Kichijōji and Koenji | JAPAN VLOG

Riri Travels

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The west side of Tokyo has so much to offer - from the hidden charm of Chofu, with its traditional streets and Tokyo’s second-oldest temple, to the trendy and laid-back vibes of Kichijoji and Koenji. We'll explore whimsical shops, cozy cafés, and relaxing sento (Japanese bathhouses) while discovering a more local side of the city.
I hope you enjoy!

Watch in 4k
Captions (auto-translate) available

☕ If you'd like to buy me a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/ririregine

Date visited: 18th and 21st October 2025

Equipment:
Filmed with iPhone 16 Pro
Edited with capcut
Kraftgeek Tripod https://tinyurl.com/mr7kjdp7 (affliate link)
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Timeline
01:47 Chofu (Botanical Garden, Jindaiji Temple, Musashino Jindaiji Kiln & pottery painting, soba and Kitaro Chaya)
14:16 Kichijoji (Exploring whimsical shops, tofu donut and 100 year old pottery shop)
21:10 Koenji (Cool coffee shop, local bakery, weather shrine, tempura egg lunch, shops, sento & my favourite cafe)

Places mentioned
Jindaiji Botanical Gardens https://maps.app.goo.gl/NSoN9pELyj6Ys...
Yaoki soba shop https://maps.app.goo.gl/crQTRSq33zech...
Kitaro Chaya https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ht1YYRboEKdPB...
Tom coffee shop https://maps.app.goo.gl/aXRiYD3RDbKWe...
INCredible COFFEE https://maps.app.goo.gl/RcSJRAYZCD4az...
オルブロート一番 bakery (local bakery in Koenji) https://maps.app.goo.gl/JyT9oXMoVDSox...
Tensuke https://maps.app.goo.gl/hj4n3cUhW5tGh...
Kosugiyu https://maps.app.goo.gl/8dKE4X6MPzoWc...

#japantraveldiary #tokyovlog #silenttravelvlog

20 Comments

@NoealzYukkuri 4 months ago

This is making me miss tokyo, Ive gone many times but now whenever I visit Japan I try to visit other cities and provinces to explore more

@MultiOranuch 10 months ago

Thank you for sharing! :virtualhug::goodvibes: I always love all about JAPAN since my childhood in Bangkok - Thailand. A fascinated culture as well, surely. :elbowcough: People are so kind & polite!
So last year I got opportunity (My dream came through) followed my thai closed freinds to visit JAPAN... 💖💖💖💖💖 💮💮💮🌲🌲🌳🌳🍃🍃
CHERRRY BLOSSOM in April - Fuji.. Tokyo with crowd. Iwill really explore this side of TOKYO in near future So harmony - so relaxing. Best Wishes from STOCKHOLM - SWEDEN :yougotthis:

@AmbientWalking 10 months ago

Every time I encounter your videos I just feel like I'm somewhere else. It's a way of traveling that I like very much. Thank you! : )

@wasabiwalk 10 months ago

This exploration of Tokyo's West Side is fantastic! Chofu's traditional side and the laid-back, local vibes of Kichijoji and Koenji are exactly what I look for. Love those cozy cafés! ☕

@mgy754 5 months ago

見覚えのある景色が素敵に見えるマジック。素晴らしいセンスと才能✨

@Rachel-uq1bn 1 month ago

Wow that café at the end looks dreamy! I love the atmosphere and the notebooks. I feel like it would be very special to connect to a stranger that way

@Life.betweenbreaths 5 months ago

Love everything about the video, the pacing of the shots and captions where it's at a just right speed and all the spots you introduced are awesome. These places are on my list in my next Japan trip. Thank you :)

@CT-JIMMY-OU812 4 months ago

Being stationed outside of Tokyo at Tachikawa Hospital, was the most memorable time in my life. The rest was just life .

@00ta 4 months ago

I used to live around there. It’s truly a magical place to me.

@PentragonCosplay 2 months ago

The garden at 4:10 looks so much like some gardens here in Germany. They really captured the European vibe very well!

@TNAN007 4 weeks ago

I grew up on the first half of my childhood in a town like this; my family moved to America, and I lost that simple lifestyle. Now, in my 40s, I want to go back and live the other half of my life in a town like this.

@kazuwilliams 5 months ago

I went here today. Thanks again for the suggestion

@bubbythebrow153 10 months ago

Man I wish I would have known about this area when I was in Tokyo. It looks lovely. I can’t wait for the day we can go back. The tempura looks amazing. My favorite tempura is the sweet potato, inoki mushrooms and pumpkin.

@brendonwife 4 months ago (edited)

Can't wait to visit Chofu on my next trip. That Koenji bakery has closed, says Google Maps. Thank you for your lovely and chill videos, I miss Japan so much.