Where is Kitaro Chaya now?
On Tenjin-dori shopping street in Chofu, five minutes from Chofu Station, since 20 November 2024. Its café, "Hanare", is nearby at Fuda 1-35-3.
Part of: Anime Pilgrimage in Japan: How to Plan It
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Chofu, in western Tokyo, calls itself the town where Shigeru Mizuki's manga were born: the creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro lived and worked there for many years. Fans can walk Tenjin-dori shopping street from Chofu Station's north side toward Fuda Tenjin Shrine past statues of Kitaro and his friends, visit Kitaro Hiroba, a park with yōkai figures beside the Keiō line, and ride the city's "Kitaro bus". Kitaro Chaya, a Kitaro shop and café, moved to Tenjin-dori in November 2024, five minutes from the station.
I run private anime tours in Akihabara most weeks, and this is the Chofu route I give Kitaro fans.
If an older guide gives Kitaro Chaya a different address, use the new one: it is now on Tenjin-dori, with its café in a separate building nearby.
Where are the Kitaro spots in Chofu?
From Chofu City's own page: Tenjin-dori shopping street, from the old Kōshū-kaidō road north of Chofu Station toward Fuda Tenjin Shrine, has statues of Kitaro, Medama-oyaji, Nezumi-otoko, Neko-musume, Nurikabe and Ittan-momen; Kitaro Hiroba is a park of yōkai figures and play equipment on former railway land between Chofu and Nishi-Chofu stations; and the city's minibuses, painted with Kitaro and friends, are known as Kitaro buses.
| Spot (official) | What it is |
|---|---|
| Tenjin-dori shopping street | Statues of Kitaro and friends, from Chofu Station's north side toward Fuda Tenjin Shrine |
| Kitaro Hiroba | Park with yōkai figures and play equipment, on Keiō line land between Chofu and Nishi-Chofu |
| Kitaro bus | Chofu City minibuses painted with Kitaro characters |
| Kitaro Chaya (shop and takeout) | Fuda 1-34-1, Tenjin-dori; 5 min from Chofu Station |
| Kitaro Chaya Hanare (café) | Fuda 1-35-3, DAIMON Bldg 2F; café bookings taken |
The places on the map. Tap one for directions.
For other anime pilgrimage places, see anime pilgrimage in Japan. For the anime shopping side of your trip, my Akihabara anime tour.
What is Kitaro Chaya?
Kitaro Chaya is a GeGeGe no Kitaro shop and café, now in two places on Tenjin-dori. The main shop sells Kitaro goods, including items only sold there, plus takeout; the café, Kitaro Chaya Hanare, serves sweets and drinks in a Shōwa-retro room, and takes bookings. It celebrates its 23rd year in 2026.
| Kitaro Chaya (official) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shop and takeout | Fuda 1-34-1, Eishō Bldg 1F |
| Café ("Hanare") | Fuda 1-35-3, DAIMON Bldg 2F C; bookable |
| Closing days | Irregular; temporary closures announced on the site |
| Payment | Cash, cards (including UnionPay), transport IC and e-money, QR payments including WeChat Pay and Alipay |
| Moved | To Tenjin-dori on 20 November 2024 |
This is the honest section. Kitaro Chaya has irregular closing days, so check its news page the day before. The café menu leans on Tottori, Mizuki's home prefecture, with Tottori milk in several drinks.
How do you plan a Kitaro day in Chofu?
Start at Chofu Station on the Keiō line, walk Tenjin-dori past the statues toward Fuda Tenjin Shrine, stop at Kitaro Chaya and its café, then visit Kitaro Hiroba along the railway towards Nishi-Chofu. Allow a half-day; it is a gentle walk rather than a big attraction.
- 1Start at Chofu Station on the Keiō line
- 2Walk Tenjin-dori past the statues
- 3Stop at Kitaro Chaya and its café
- 4Visit Kitaro Hiroba toward Nishi-Chofu
If you are combining Kitaro with other classic manga, Tokyo's anime and manga museums are listed in anime places to visit in Tokyo. If you shop tax-free on your trip, from 1 November 2026 you pay the tax at the till and get it back after a customs check at the airport.
Is Chofu worth it for Kitaro fans?
For Kitaro fans, yes: the city itself promotes the connection, with statues, a park and buses, and Kitaro Chaya sells goods you will not find elsewhere. For casual anime fans, it is a pleasant half-day rather than a must.
Mizuki is known as a Tottori man, but Kitaro Chaya calls Chofu his "second hometown", where he kept working for many years.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Chofu connected to GeGeGe no Kitaro?
Shigeru Mizuki lived in Chofu for many years and drew many of his works there; the city calls itself the town where Mizuki manga were born.
Where are the Kitaro statues in Chofu?
Along Tenjin-dori shopping street, from Chofu Station's north side toward Fuda Tenjin Shrine.
What is Kitaro Hiroba?
A park with yōkai figures and play equipment on former railway land between Chofu and Nishi-Chofu stations.
Can I book the Kitaro Chaya café?
YESThe café, Kitaro Chaya Hanare, takes bookings through the official site.
Yōkai in Chofu, anime in Akihabara
If you would like an Akihabara day chosen around the series you love, Adventure in Akihabara with Anime is my private half-day walk, three to four hours, never shared with other guests. The price is on the tour page.
About the author. I am Yuuki, a Japanese teacher and Akihabara anime tour guide based in Tokyo. I run private anime tours here most weeks, rated 4.96★ on Airbnb across 171 reviews. I have watched over 1,500 anime series, which is either a qualification or a warning depending on your point of view.
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Sources · checked 4 October 2026
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