Chofu sits on the Musashino Terrace about 20 kilometres west of central Tokyo, between the Tama and Iruma river floodplains. It is a residential city and a commuter town for central Tokyo, with a compact commercial core around its main railway station and quieter neighbourhoods spreading out around it. The Tama River marks its southern edge, and the city is known for Jindai Temple and its soba restaurants, the Jindai Botanical Garden, Tokyo Stadium, and the Chofu City Fireworks Festival on the riverbanks.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: the Keio Line runs east to west through the city, with Sengawa, Tsutsujigaoka, Shibasaki, Kokuryo, Fuda, Chofu, Nishi-Chofu and Tobitakyu stations, and the Keio Sagamihara Line branches off at Chofu toward Keio-tamagawa. Most of what you will want to reach is strung along this line, and the Chuo Expressway and National Route 20 (the Koshu Kaido) cross the city by road. This guide covers which areas make sense as a base, and what kind of accommodation you will find at each budget level.
Best areas to stay in Chofu
1. Chofu station area
This is the commercial heart of the city and the most practical base for most visitors. Chofu station is where the Keio Line meets the Keio Sagamihara Line, so you can reach other parts of the city and connect onward toward central Tokyo without changing lines. The area around the station is built up with shops and department stores, and accommodation here is aimed at business travellers and commuters rather than tourists.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants the easiest access to transport and everyday amenities. One practical point: some accommodation sits above commercial buildings, so you may need to carry your luggage through a department store to reach the lift.
2. Jindaiji area
The area around Jindai Temple and the Jindai Botanical Garden is the city's main sight, and staying nearby puts you within walking distance of both. The temple is known for the many soba noodle restaurants around it, and the botanical garden is a short distance away. This is a quieter, greener part of the city than the station core.
It suits travellers who want to be close to the sights and are happy to trade convenience for calm. The practical trade-off is transport: this area is not on the Keio Line itself, so you will rely on buses or taxis to connect with the railway.
3. Sengawa area
Sengawa is a Keio Line station at the eastern end of the city, closest to the Setagaya boundary and therefore the most convenient part of Chofu for reaching central Tokyo. It has its own small theatre, the Sengawa Theater, and a neighbourhood feel rather than a big commercial one.
It suits visitors who expect to spend much of their time in Tokyo and want a straightforward commute back in the evening. Being on the Keio Line means you are directly connected to the rest of the city's stations.
4. Tobitakyu area
Tobitakyu is the Keio Line station nearest Tokyo Stadium, commonly known as Ajinomoto Stadium, which hosts J.League soccer matches. If your visit is built around a match or an event at the stadium, this is the logical place to base yourself.
It suits sports fans and event-goers. On match days the station and surrounding streets are busy, so plan your arrival and departure around the crowd.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Chofu is a commuter city, so the cheapest options tend to be simple business-style rooms with small footprints and few extras, concentrated around the main station.
- Mid-range: The bulk of the city's accommodation sits here, with single, double and twin rooms in station-area buildings, often sharing entrances with commercial floors.
- Splurge: Chofu is not a resort destination, and the source material describes no luxury properties; the upper end of what is available is larger rooms at the same station-area addresses rather than a separate class of hotel.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself around Chofu station. It is the point where the Keio Line and the Keio Sagamihara Line meet, which makes it the simplest place to start from whether you are heading to Jindai Temple, the botanical garden, the stadium or back into central Tokyo. It also has the widest choice of accommodation and everyday services in the city.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get around Chofu without a car?
The Keio Line runs through the city with stations at Sengawa, Tsutsujigaoka, Shibasaki, Kokuryo, Fuda, Chofu, Nishi-Chofu and Tobitakyu, and the Keio Sagamihara Line branches from Chofu to Keio-tamagawa. Staying near one of these stations keeps the whole city within reach by train.
Which area is best if I am visiting Tokyo Stadium?
Tobitakyu is the station closest to Tokyo Stadium, so it is the most convenient base for matches and events there.
Where should I stay to be near the soba restaurants and the botanical garden?
The Jindaiji area, around Jindai Temple and the Jindai Botanical Garden, is where the soba restaurants cluster. Note that it is not on the Keio Line, so you will need buses or taxis to reach a station.
When is the busiest time to visit?
The Chofu City Fireworks Festival draws large crowds along the banks of the Tamagawa River, so accommodation and transport in the city are busiest around that event.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.