[Chofu] Stepping Into the World of Yokai at Kitaro Chaya

What is Kitaro Chaya?

Kitaro Chaya is a place where you can enjoy tea while stepping into the world of GeGeGe no Kitaro. There’s also a gallery and a souvenir shop.
The surrounding area feels like old Japan, and if you walk a little further you’ll find Jindaiji Temple.
Kitaro Chaya was originally located near Jindaiji because Shigeru Mizuki, the creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, lived in the area for over 50 years.
When I visited, the shop was still near Jindaiji, but it has since moved to the Tenjin-dori shopping street near Chofu Station.

Heading to Kitaro Chaya

Inside the Japanese-style room, I looked at the dessert menu inspired by the characters and honestly couldn’t decide—everything looked too cute.
I ended up ordering just the soft serve ice cream.
…Adorable. No matter the angle, it’s cute. The flavor is sweet but not too much, and genuinely good.
When I looked out the window, Kitaro’s friends were there. You can just look at them or take pictures together.

Yokai Shop

Snacks, clothes, and other fun items make great souvenirs for yourself, friends, or a partner.
Cute and stylish gifts are nice, but since almost every Japanese person knows GeGeGe no Kitaro, these are also great for older people.

Sweets Outside the Shop

You can enjoy some surprisingly bold street snacks outside.
I wasn’t sure what to pick, but I wanted something refreshing, so I went with the Nuri-kabe konnyaku.
The food is adorable, and the atmosphere is great—going in Japanese-style clothing makes everything feel even better.
There are also character goods in the outdoor souvenir area.

Kitaro Chaya Gallery

Here you can learn more about the yokai from GeGeGe no Kitaro.
The most interesting part for me was the yokai from each prefecture.
The variety is huge, and what people find “interesting” really differs from person to person.
If you remember the yokai from each prefecture, it makes for a fun conversation starter—like “Your hometown’s yokai is actually ○○.”

There’s also a relaxing area with a nice view.

The details are so well done that it’s better to take your time rather than rushing through. Otherwise, you’ll end up missing a lot of yokai hidden around the space.

Impressions

There’s so much yokai information that photos are essential if you want to look back later.
Coordinating your outfit with a character theme before you visit is also fun.
The shop sometimes sells yokai-inspired accessories and items too.
The sweets aren’t just cute—they’re reliably delicious.

Since Jindaiji is known for soba, a great plan is to have lunch there and then stop by Kitaro Chaya for tea afterward.
Or you can just enjoy walking around and snack your way through—the area works both ways.

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