Mar 25, 2021
Exploring Chofu by bicycle
During interviews with residents of the city of Chofu, west of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, we asked about alternative spots to visit away from the hustle and bustle around Chofu station and the marquee attractions of the Jindaiji Temple area.
We were pointed in the direction of two rivers -- the Tama River bordering Chofu in the southwest and the Nogawa River which almost divides the city into two halves, southwest and northeast.
While we’re at it, how about an alternative perspective from which to view the city, too? We’ve done train, bus, foot, and taxi. Exploring Chofu by bicycle was long overdue.
Watch a video of our exploration of Chofu on two wheels:
After collecting said bicycles from a shared-cycle station near to Chofu station we were soon heading away from the station area traffic and winding smoothly toward the Tama River.
In all honesty, the pleasant suburban landscape of this part of the city doesn’t exactly scream, “Lights. Camera. Action,” but it’s on the way to the river that you can find the Kadokawa Daiei Studio and Nikkatsu Chofu Studio -- two movie and television production facilities key to Chofu’s former reputation as something of a center for Japan’s movie industry. The city has even adopted the moniker, “Movie Town Chofu.”
Movie and television production in the city of Chofu dates back to the 1930s. In Japan’s movie-making heyday of the 1950s the city became known as an “Oriental Hollywood,” of sorts. Today there are a number of movie-related sights in the city serving as tributes to “Movie Town Chofu.”
Kadokawa Daiei Studio and Nikkatsu Chofu Studio remain working studios and can only be viewed from the street. We felt a frisson of excitement at the prospect of the, “Lights. Camera. Action,” going on within though, when we passed by. (Kadokawa Daiei Studio has an onsite store that you can visit without requiring any special permission to enter.)
From Nikkatsu Chofu Studio you’re a stone's throw from the Tama River.
Compared to Tokyo’s urban density the Tama River came as a breath of fresh air. On the final leg of its journey from mountains in Yamanashi Prefecture to the waters of Tokyo Bay, the broad river rolls graciously by Chofu offering pathways for cycling, jogging and strolling along its wide banks.
Locking into a comfortable gear on the electric bicycles, with a refreshing river breeze at our backs, we made light work of a riverside cycle before pausing to chill out on the banks and take in the view.
Heading north from the Tama River, Kitaro Square makes for a curious half(ish)way point for a rest on the way to the Nogawa River. The small square is one of a number of tributes to, and celebrations of, the work of Shigeru Mizuki -- legendary manga artist and an honorary resident of Chofu before his passing. Mizuki created GeGeGe no Kitaro, among other works, and some of the characters from the Kitaro world are represented at Kitaro Square.
We parked up our bikes for a bit of rest and to have our picture taken with Kitaro himself (in statue form). (If arriving at Kitaro Square by bicycle, get off your bike before entering the square and park it in the available parking space. You don’t need to be on two wheels to reach Kitaro Square, which is an easy walk from Chofu station.)
Pressing north toward the Nogawa River we stopped by the Chofu Wholesale Center to pick up lunch. It’s got a fun retro feel to it, the Chofu Wholesale Center, but is said to be at its bustling best early in the morning when the more than 30 vendors here are hawking their wares of fresh fish, meats, tea, snacks and more.
The mood was a little more relaxed when we rolled up at the center in time for lunch. On the south-facing side of the facility is the homely Jindaiji Cafe where the lunch menu included taco rice, curry, hamburg and panini. We walked away with a chicken and mushroom panini from the take-out menu. Come to Jindaiji Cafe, too, for baked goods and fair trade coffee.
The Chofu Wholesale Center has an enviable location just off the southwestern banks of the Nogawa River.
While much smaller in scale than the Tama River the Nogawa arguably punches above its weight in terms of scenery. As one Chofu resident put it, “The scenery around the Nogawa River makes me think, “Wow! There’s such a beautiful place here in Chofu.””
“Wow,” indeed. The look and feel of the Nogawa River area appears more pleasant afternoon in the countryside than it does 15 minutes on the train from Shinjuku.
We found a spot to park the bikes and a spot on the riverbanks to park our bottoms to enjoy a panini and a wonderful area of Chofu. (Be sure not to leave garbage behind at the river. Bring take-away packaging back to the restaurant where you purchased it, or bring it home with you.)
Exploring Chofu by bicycle: Spot map
Renting bicycles in Chofu
You can find a number of shared-bicycle stations in Chofu from which you can collect reserved and rented (electric) bicycles.
To reserve and rent one of these bicycles:
1: Download and install the HELLO CYCLING app.
2: Create an account - requires registration of basic details including name, email address and telephone number.
3: Set up a payment option via your account - options include credit card, cashless, and through your mobile phone carrier.
4: Use the app to search for bicycles available at your desired location - select from the list of bicycles and hit, “Reserve a bike.”
5: Unlock your reserved bicycle at the cycle station by entering the pin code provided via the app into the digital panel on the bicycle.
6: To return your bicycle use the app to search for desired points of return and reserve a space.
7: Payment is processed automatically upon completion of the bicycle’s return.
HELLO CYCLING
*NB: The HELLO CYCLING app could be used in the English language, at the time of writing.
This article was supported by Chofu City.
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