Guide · Akihabara

Part of: Anime Pilgrimage in Japan: How to Plan It

GeGeGe no Kitaro in Chofu: The Statues, the Park and Kitaro Chaya's New Home

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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? Yes. The 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.

See the Akihabara anime tour →

Sources: Chofu City, GeGeGe no Kitaro (Mizuki's long residence; "town where Mizuki manga were born"; Kitaro buses; Kitaro Hiroba; Tenjin-dori statues; route to Fuda Tenjin Shrine); Chofu Tourism Association, Kitaro Chaya (moved on 20 November 2024; 5 minutes from Chofu Station; exclusive goods; address); Kitaro Chaya, Top page (Mizuki's second hometown; 23rd anniversary; news), Access (shop and café addresses; irregular closures), Café (menu themes; Tottori milk), Shop (exclusive goods) and Payment. All checked 4 October 2026. Opening hours and prices are deliberately not given.