【The Birthplace of Mizuki Manga】 Chofu City, Tokyo
Chofu City, Tokyo is known as “the birthplace of Mizuki manga,” where Japan’s representative manga artist Mizuki Shigeru lived for over 50 years from 1959 until his death in 2015, creating numerous masterpieces. For fans of Mizuki’s works, including “GeGeGe no Kitaro,” Chofu is an unmissable sacred pilgrimage destination.
This article, based on the latest 2025 information, provides a comprehensive introduction to Kitaro-related spots in Chofu City, efficient pilgrimage routes, and the latest event information about the sacred site of Mizuki manga.
The Deep Bond Between Mizuki Shigeru and Chofu City
A Place of Creation Spanning Over 50 Years
Though Mizuki Shigeru was born in 1922 in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture, he settled in Chofu City in 1959 after moving to Tokyo and continued his creative work there until his death on November 30, 2015, at the age of 93. In 2008, Chofu City honored him as an honorary citizen, celebrating his achievements.
His years in Chofu deeply influenced his works. The “GeGeGe Forest” where yokai in “GeGeGe no Kitaro” live is said to be modeled after the Jindai Temple forest that spreads behind Fuda Tenmangu Shrine. Everyday scenes, such as shopping in shopping streets and taking walks, are reflected throughout his works.
“GeGeGe Memorial Day” and Chofu City’s Initiatives
Chofu City designates November 30, the anniversary of Mizuki’s passing, as “GeGeGe Memorial Day” and holds commemorative events annually. From 2024 onwards, “GeGeGe Memorial Day 2025” is being held from mid-November to the end of the month, featuring exhibitions, lectures, stamp rallies, and various other programs.
In March 2025, the “Mizuki Shigeru Zone” was newly established. This development utilized crowdfunding through the hometown tax donation system, gathering considerable support from fans nationwide. Chofu has become not merely a tourist destination but a special place where the feelings of people who love Mizuki’s works converge.
Complete Guide to Sacred Pilgrimage Must-See Spots
Chofu Station Area
Tenjin Dori Shopping Street | Sacred Site Entrance Greeted by Yokai
Tenjin Dori Shopping Street, just a 1-minute walk from Chofu Station’s north exit, is the perfect starting point for a Mizuki manga sacred pilgrimage. Kitaro character monuments, set up in 1991 at Mizuki’s own suggestion, are scattered throughout the shopping street.
Main attractions:
- Kitaro statue welcoming shoppers at the entrance
- Nezumi Otoko lying on a bench
- Nekomusume riding a Ichimatsu with a power transformer
- Medama Oyaji installed on streetlights
- Yokai drawn on shop shutters
Tenjin Dori Shopping Street stretches about 300 meters, and a leisurely stroll with photo stops takes 30 minutes to an hour. The shopping street has many restaurants and souvenir shops, making it appealing to experience the local atmosphere while on pilgrimage.
Kitaro Tea House | Cafe Where You Can Experience the Yokai World
Kitaro Tea House, relocated from Jindai Temple to Tenjin Dori Shopping Street in 2024, is a must-see spot to experience the Mizuki world. The interior is unified in the aesthetic of the yokai world, offering Kitaro merchandise sales and food and beverage menus featuring yokai themes.
How to enjoy Kitaro Tea House:
- Original menus themed on yokai
- Limited merchandise purchases
- Souvenir photos at photo spots
- Viewing original artwork displays in the in-store gallery
The relocation has greatly improved accessibility from Chofu Station, making it easier to use as a base for sacred pilgrimage. It is recommended to check the official website in advance for business hours and holidays.
Fuda Tenmangu Shrine | Sacred Site Where Kitaro and Friends Live
Beyond Tenjin Dori Shopping Street lies Fuda Tenmangu Shrine, said to be the model for the “GeGeGe Forest” where Kitaro and his companions live in “GeGeGe no Kitaro.” Despite being just a 5-minute walk from Chofu Station, the moment you enter the grounds, you are enveloped in lush greenery, allowing you to forget the hustle and bustle of the city.
History and Attractions of Fuda Tenmangu Shrine
Fuda Tenmangu Shrine has an ancient history, having been a center of regional faith since the Edo period. The current main hall is a valuable structure retaining the architectural style of the middle Edo period.
Points of visit:
- Kitaro omamori (special amulets with character designs)
- Rest areas in the tree shade within the grounds
- Walking trails to the Jindai Temple forest behind the main hall
- Collaboration of seasonal festivals with Mizuki’s works
Fuda Tenmangu Shrine becomes a valuable rest stop during summer pilgrimages. The grounds are wrapped in a serene atmosphere where you can experience the strange sensation that yokai truly inhabit this place.
Jindai Temple Area | Sacred Site Where Nature and History Intertwine
Jindai Temple | Ancient Temple of Metropolitan Stature and Mizuki World
About 15 minutes by bus from Chofu Station, Jindai Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple founded in 733, ranking among Tokyo’s most historically significant temples. Teacher Mizuki frequently visited this place, and the natural environment surrounding Jindai Temple greatly influenced the world view formation of “GeGeGe no Kitaro.”
Attractions of Jindai Temple:
- National treasure-class Hakuho Buddha (Shakyamuni statue)
- Soba restaurants lining the approach (Jindai soba is a specialty continuing from the Edo period)
- Rich natural environment within the temple grounds
- Seasonal landscapes (particularly spectacular during autumn foliage)
The Jindai Temple approach has over 20 soba restaurants, making meals after visiting another enjoyable aspect. Handmade Jindai soba is a classic gourmet experience not to be missed on a Chofu pilgrimage.
Jindai Botanical Garden | Four Seasons of Flowers and the Yokai World
Adjacent to Jindai Temple, Jindai Botanical Garden is Tokyo’s largest botanical garden, with approximately 4,800 species and 100,000 plants cultivated. Teacher Mizuki is said to have enjoyed strolling here, a spot where you can sense the presence of yokai amid nature.
Recommended seasons:
- Spring: Cherry blossoms and plums in competition
- Early summer: Rose garden in bloom (approximately 400 varieties, 5,200 plants)
- Autumn: Autumn foliage and autumn roses
- Winter: Tropical plant appreciation in greenhouses
Efficient Sacred Pilgrimage Model Courses
Half-Day Course (Approximately 4 hours)
9:00 Arrival at Chofu Station
↓ 1-minute walk
9:10 Tenjin Dori Shopping Street tour (60 minutes)
- Photograph yokai monuments
- Enjoy shopping street cuisine
↓ 5-minute walk
10:15 Fuda Tenmangu Shrine visit (45 minutes)
- Kitaro omamori
- Grounds exploration
↓ 3-minute walk
11:00 Kitaro Tea House (60 minutes)
- Lunch & merchandise purchase
↓ 15-minute bus
12:30 Jindai Temple visit (90 minutes)
- Soba lunch (light meal if already eaten at Kitaro Tea House)
- Grounds exploration
14:00 Return to Chofu Station
Full-Day Immersion Course (Approximately 7 hours)
Add the following to the half-day course:
14:30 Jindai Botanical Garden (120 minutes)
- Seasonal flower appreciation
- Nature exploration
↓ 20-minute bus
17:00 Chofu Station area (60 minutes)
- Mizuki Shigeru Zone visit
- Souvenir purchases
18:00 Departure from Chofu Station
Walking Times and Precautions
Walking distance from Chofu Station to Fuda Tenmangu Shrine is manageable on foot, but bus transportation to Jindai Temple is more convenient. Particularly in summer, temperatures rise, so note the following:
- Bring hat and parasol
- Frequent hydration
- Rest in shade at Fuda Tenmangu Shrine or Jindai Temple
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
Access Information and Transportation
Train Access
Access to Chofu Station:
- Express from Keio Shinjuku Station to approximately 15 minutes
- From Keio Shibuya Station approximately 25 minutes (transfer at Meidaimae)
- From Keio Yoshida Station approximately 20 minutes (transfer at Meidaimae)
Chofu Station has express service, making access from the city center very convenient.
Bus Transportation
Toward Jindai Temple:
- Keio Bus “Jindai Temple bound” from Chofu Station north exit approximately 15 minutes
- Small Odakyu Bus “Jindai Temple bound” from Yoshida Station south exit approximately 30 minutes
- Small Odakyu Bus “Jindai Temple bound” from Mitaka Station south exit approximately 25 minutes
Buses run at 15-minute intervals with minimal wait times, making transportation convenient.
Car Access and Parking
Access from major roads:
- Approximately 10 minutes from Chuo Expressway “Chofu IC”
- Approximately 20 minutes from Metropolitan Express “Takaido IC”
Parking information:
- Around Jindai Temple: Multiple paid parking lots (approximately 300 yen per hour)
- Jindai Botanical Garden: Dedicated parking lot (approximately 300 yen per hour)
- Chofu Station area: Numerous station-front and coin parking lots
Weekends and autumn foliage season see congestion, so public transportation is recommended.
Latest 2025 Event Information
GeGeGe Memorial Day 2025
Held from mid-November to the 30th each year, “GeGeGe Memorial Day” is Chofu City’s largest event honoring teacher Mizuki Shigeru’s memory.
Main 2025 programs:
- Mizuki Shigeru birth anniversary exhibition
- Chofu City pilgrimage stamp rally
- Talk show with Kitaro voice actors
- Yokai costume parade
- Limited merchandise sales
- Special memorial service at Jindai Temple
Particularly on November 30, the anniversary date, special events are held at Fuda Tenmangu Shrine and Jindai Temple, drawing fans from across the country.
Birth Anniversary Commemorative Events
Chofu City plans various anniversary events commemorating Mizuki’s birth. 2025 will feature exhibitions and lectures celebrating his 103rd birth anniversary.
Examples of past commemorative events:
- Original artwork exhibitions and special displays
- Mizuki work screenings
- Lectures by yokai researchers
- Limited collaboration merchandise sales
Latest information is continuously updated on the Chofu Tourism Association official website, recommended to check before visiting.
Seasonal Limited Events
Spring (March–May):
- Jindai Daruma Market (March)
- Jindai Botanical Garden Rose Festa (May)
Summer (June–August):
- Chofu Fireworks Festival (with Kitaro collaboration effects)
- Summer vacation yokai workshops
Autumn (September–November):
- Jindai Botanical Garden Autumn Rose Festa (October)
- GeGeGe Memorial Day (November)
Winter (December–February):
- Jindai Setsubun-e Festival
- Special New Year programs
Cuisine & Souvenir Information
Regional Specialties in Chofu and Jindai
Jindai Soba
Over 20 soba restaurants line the Jindai Temple area, each with distinctive characteristics.
Features of popular restaurants:
- Traditional handmade soba from established shops
- Set menus with tempura
- Seasonal limited menus
- Some restaurants offer Kitaro collaboration menus
Jindai soba is characterized by fragrant noodles made with Musashino spring water, a classic post-pilgrimage cuisine enjoyed by visitors.
Kitaro Tea House’s Yokai Menu
Kitaro Tea House offers creative, yokai-themed menus:
- Medama Oyaji’s chestnut zenzai
- Yokai latte art
- Kitaro curry
- Nezumi Otoko’s special donburi
The visually appealing dishes are popular on social media.
Recommended Souvenirs
Kitaro merchandise:
- Kitaro Tea House exclusive goods
- Yokai goods from Tenjin Dori Shopping Street
- Kitaro amulets from Fuda Tenmangu Shrine
Chofu specialty sweets:
- Kitaro manju
- Yokai cookies
- Jindai soba (dried noodles)
Limited items:
- GeGeGe Memorial Day exclusive merchandise
- Anniversary collaboration products
Charter Bus Tour Information
Benefits of Day-Trip Charter Bus Tours
Chofu sacred pilgrimage is also popular as a group charter bus tour with particular benefits:
- Efficient route planning
- Reduced travel fatigue
- Detailed guide commentary
- Group memory-making
Model Tour Course
Chofu and Jindai Full Experience Course (7 hours):
09:00 Departure from Tokyo
↓
10:00 Chofu Station arrival and Tenjin Dori Shopping Street tour (60 minutes)
↓
11:15 Fuda Tenmangu Shrine visit (45 minutes)
↓
12:15 Jindai soba lunch (60 minutes)
↓
13:30 Jindai Temple visit and grounds exploration (60 minutes)
↓
14:45 Jindai Botanical Garden (90 minutes)
↓
16:30 Kitaro Tea House souvenir shopping (30 minutes)
↓
17:00 Chofu departure
18:00 Arrival in Tokyo
Charter Bus Pricing Guidelines
Medium bus (27-seat):
- 7-hour usage: approximately 70,000–90,000 yen
- Per person when divided: approximately 3,000 yen
Large bus (45-seat):
- 7-hour usage: approximately 90,000–120,000 yen
- Per person when divided: approximately 2,500 yen
Pricing fluctuates by season and day of week. Early reservations are recommended during busy periods such as GeGeGe Memorial Day.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Other Points of Interest in Chofu City
Chofu City Culture Hall Tazukuri
Directly south of Chofu Station, this cultural complex hosts periodic exhibitions related to Mizuki Shigeru. The library has a Mizuki works corner, making it ideal for a stop during pilgrimage.
Chofu Airfield
A small aircraft-only airfield in Tokyo with regular service to the Izu Islands. Airfield tours and observation deck aircraft viewing are available.
Combinations with Neighboring Areas
Mitaka’s Forest Ghibli Museum (Mitaka City):
About 15 minutes by train from Chofu. A must-visit spot for animation fans.
Inokashira Amusement Park (Musashino City):
Direct bus service exists from Chofu to Jindai Temple via Kichijoji. Nature exploration can be combined with pilgrimage.
Mount Takao (Hachioji City):
Direct train access via Keio Line. Popular as a full-day course combining nature and history.
How to Enjoy Sacred Pilgrimage and Etiquette
Photography Tips
Recommended photo spots:
- Yokai monuments in Tenjin Dori Shopping Street
- Fuda Tenmangu Shrine main hall and grounds
- Jindai Temple gate and approach
- Kitaro Tea House in-store photo spots
Photography precautions:
- Be considerate of other visitors and pilgrims
- Confirm photo-restricted areas at shrines and temples
- Do not obstruct shopping street business operations
Sacred Pilgrimage Etiquette
Chofu, while a sacred pilgrimage site for Mizuki fans, is simultaneously the living space of local residents.
Etiquette to observe:
- Keep voices down in residential areas
- Take all trash with you
- Do not trespass on private property
- Respect shrine and temple visiting customs
- Support the community by patronizing local shops
Social Media Posting Tips
When sharing pilgrimage memories on social media, these hashtags are effective:
- #水木マンガの生まれた街
- #調布聖地巡礼
- #ゲゲゲの鬼太郎
- #鬼太郎茶屋
- #深大寺
- #布多天神社
- #ゲゲゲ忌
Recommended Visiting Periods by Season
Spring (March–May)
Recommendation: ★★★★☆
Cherry blossom season makes Jindai Temple and Jindai Botanical Garden particularly beautiful with comfortable weather. May’s Rose Festa is unmissable. However, Golden Week brings crowds.
Summer (June–August)
Recommendation: ★★★☆☆
Summer events like the Chofu Fireworks Festival are appealing, but high temperatures make walking taxing. Plan extra shade rest and heat exhaustion prevention is essential.
Autumn (September–November)
Recommendation: ★★★★★
The most recommended season. Fall foliage is beautiful and weather comfortable. Particularly during November’s GeGeGe Memorial Day period with special events, making it ideal for pilgrimage.
Winter (December–February)
Recommendation: ★★★☆☆
Fewer tourists allow leisurely pilgrimage. Winter events like Jindai’s Setsubun-e festival are unique. However, early darkness makes schedule management important.
Accommodation Information
Hotels in Chofu City
Several business hotels near Chofu Station offer nightly rates of 6,000–10,000 yen, recommended for those wanting to take a leisurely 2-day pilgrimage.
Nearby Accommodation Facilities
Shinjuku Area:
15 minutes by train from Chofu. Wide accommodation options with evening entertainment possibilities.
Kichijoji Area:
20 minutes by train from Chofu. Stylish streets and diverse dining attract visitors.
Tracing the Footsteps of Mizuki Shigeru
Former Mizuki Pro Studio Site
The location of former Mizuki Pro Studio remains in Chofu. While not open to the public, strolling the surrounding area lets you walk paths Mizuki frequently traveled.
Shops Teacher Mizuki Frequented
Shops along Tenjin Dori Shopping Street that Mizuki often visited during his lifetime remain open. These spots reveal the warmth of his character valuing local interactions.
Conclusion: Maximizing Your Chofu Sacred Pilgrimage Enjoyment
Tokyo’s Chofu City is “the birthplace of Mizuki manga,” where teacher Mizuki Shigeru lived for over 50 years, creating masterpieces including “GeGeGe no Kitaro.” With abundant attractions like Tenjin Dori Shopping Street, Fuda Tenmangu Shrine, Jindai Temple, and Kitaro Tea House, pilgrims can enjoy a half-day to full-day immersive experience.
Pilgrimage success points:
- Check latest event information beforehand
- Dress seasonally and prevent heat exhaustion
- Plan efficient routes (half-day or full-day courses)
- Enjoy local cuisine (Jindai soba, Kitaro Tea House)
- Photograph respectfully while observing etiquette and post mindfully on social media
- November’s GeGeGe Memorial Day is especially recommended
Chofu’s sacred pilgrimage appeals not only to Mizuki work enthusiasts but also to those interested in Japanese yokai culture and those seeking natural and historical enjoyment. Its proximity to the city center with convenient day-trip access from downtown is a major attraction. Please use this article as reference and embark on a special journey experiencing the Mizuki manga world.
2025 offers enhanced pilgrimage opportunities with the newly established “Mizuki Shigeru Zone” among other developments. Your journey tracing teacher Mizuki Shigeru’s great footsteps in Chofu, where yokai seemingly still dwell, will surely become an unforgettable memory.
