Getting Around Chofu: An Overview
Chofu sits in the western part of Tokyo Metropolis, on the Musashino Terrace between the Tama and Iruma river floodplains. It works as a regional commercial centre and a bedroom community for central Tokyo, which means its transport is built around moving residents in and out of the city — and that same network serves visitors well. The practical upshot is that you can base yourself in Chofu and reach central Tokyo easily, while using the city's rail and bus links to explore local sights such as Jindaiji Temple, the Jindai Botanical Garden and Tokyo Stadium (Ajinomoto Stadium).
Rail: The Keio Line and Its Branch
Rail is the backbone of movement in and out of Chofu, operated by Keio Corporation. The main Keio Line runs through the city, and a branch line, the Keio Sagamihara Line, splits off at Chofu Station and heads toward Keio-tamagawa.
The key point for visitors is the connection to Shinjuku: from Shinjuku Station you take a Keio Line special express or semi-special-express train, and Chofu is the second stop — a quick, straightforward hop. That makes Shinjuku the natural gateway for reaching Chofu from central Tokyo, and Chofu Station the obvious arrival point for most trips.
- Keio Line — the main artery through Chofu, linking the city with Shinjuku and points west.
- Keio Sagamihara Line — branches from Chofu Station toward Keio-tamagawa.
- Chofu Station — the principal rail hub and the place to start most local journeys.
For a visitor, the simplest approach is to treat Chofu Station as your base: arrive there from Shinjuku, then use the station's bus terminal and taxi ranks for onward travel to the sights.
Buses: The Practical Way to Reach Jindaiji
Chofu's headline attractions — Jindaiji Temple and the Jindai Botanical Gardens — are not right on top of the station, and buses are the sensible way to get there. Buses leave from the north side of the station.
- Bus number 34 (from bus stop 14) goes directly to Jindaiji Temple.
- Bus numbers 05, 06, 31 and 56 (from bus stop 13) stop at "Jindaiji Iriguchi," from which it is a short walk to the temple.
- All five of these buses also serve the Jindai Botanical Gardens.
The fare for these buses is ¥210. If you are coming from elsewhere in the area rather than from Chofu itself, note that you can also reach Jindaiji Temple and the Jindai Botanical Gardens by bus from Kichijoji or Mitaka.
Taxis and Walking for Local Sights
The distance from Chofu Station to Jindaiji Temple is short enough that walking or taking a taxi are both realistic options alongside the bus. In practice this gives you flexibility: take the bus if you want to save your legs, or walk or grab a taxi if you prefer to go at your own pace or are travelling in a group.
Airport Access
Chofu has its own airport, Chofu Airport, which handles domestic flights to the Izu Islands. If your trip includes the Izu Islands, this is the local departure point rather than a long trek back into central Tokyo.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Start from Shinjuku. The Keio Line special express or semi-special-express gets you to Chofu in a few stops, making Shinjuku the easiest entry point from downtown Tokyo.
- Use Chofu Station as your hub. Rail, buses and taxis all converge here, so plan your day around it.
- Keep small change or an IC card handy for buses. The Jindaiji-area buses charge a flat ¥210 fare.
- Check which bus you need. Only bus 34 drops you at Jindaiji Temple itself; the others leave you a short walk away at Jindaiji Iriguchi.
- Consider the weather. Chofu has warm summers and cool winters with little to no snow, and September is the wettest month — worth bearing in mind if you plan to walk between the station and the temple.