My Journey Through Western Tokyo. Come and experience the wonders of the Tama area!
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Spot #4 Kichijoji’s Hand Weaving Studio “jota”
This next spot was probably the highlight of the tour for me. This was my first encounter with saori weaving, a type of hand weaving that originated in Osaka around 50 years ago. The best part about it is that no rules, design planning, or techniques are required—all you need to do is express yourself! Select the colours that catch your eye and start weaving; that's all there is to it. It's so simple that even children and beginners can easily create a one-of-a-kind scarf.

The free expression aspect of saori weaving is probably what makes it so appealing. Mistakes don't need to be redone or altered either. You could say it's almost like a form of meditation. As you become absorbed in the weaving process, you create a masterpiece by incorporating your ideas as you go, moment by moment.

Three hours after I’d begun, my very first handmade saori scarf was complete! What do you think? Isn’t it lovely?

The owner of this fabulous studio is the grandchild of the shop's founder. Through the neat experience they offer, you'll get to pour your heart and personality into an original item, creating a piece of art to bring home with you! I urge you to give Studio jota a visit!

Establishment name:Hand Weaving Studio jota – Kichijoji
Address:4-16-12 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo

Spot #5 Kichijoji’s Harmonica Alley
Kichijoji is ranked one of the most desirable areas of Tokyo to live in—and for good reason! Its abundance of unique shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars make it extremely popular with Japanese youth. And its low building density makes for a more relaxed atmosphere than many other areas of Tokyo. There’s also Inokashira Park, which features an art market that can be enjoyed on the weekends. Kichijoji is a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, one that’s only a stone’s throw away!

In front of Kichijoji Station, you’ll find Harmonica Alley nestled in between the other streets of the shopping district. The alley’s name comes from how the small shops crammed side by side resemble the holes in a harmonica. There’s plenty to explore: bars, eateries, salons, misc. goods shops, fortune tellers, and more!

Near the entrance to Harmonica Alley is a shop you can’t leave Kichijoji without having visited: Matsuzaka Beef Specialty Shop SATOU. Known for their mouth-watering menchi-katsu, a breaded and deep-fried minced meat croquette, you’ll find people lined up outside the shop from opening till closing. They sell about 3000 of them per day!

I don’t usually go for menchi-katsu, but after one bite I was hooked! In that moment, I was able to understand why people were willing to travel great distances and line up just to buy them. The flavours of the savory meat juices, the sweet, finely chopped onions, and the Matsuzaka beef came together so perfectly it’s hard to put into words. I simply can’t recommend this dish enough!

On the second floor you’ll find STEAKHOUSE SATOU, where you can indulge in some Matsuzaka beef steak among other things. I suggest stopping for a meal here as well.

Establishment name:Matsuzaka Beef Specialty Shop SATOU – Kichijoji
Address:1-1-8 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo

As you go deeper down Harmonica Alley, you may notice the identical white polka dot lanterns adorning the entrances to many of the shops. These shops are all run by the same company. The company's president is dedicated to both preserving the culture of Harmonica Alley and strengthening relationships with people of other countries. By employing foreign workers, the shops are easier for non-Japanese speakers to enter, as they can be helped in English, Chinese, etc. It also provides an opportunity for local Japanese patrons to interact with foreigners and broaden their horizons. Both global understanding and human interaction are important, and what better way to foster such things than while having fun!

The next place I stopped was YAKITORI tecchan, a grilled chicken skewer specialty shop. This shop has the same owners as the one above, and although the manager is Japanese, most of the staff are actually foreigners! It’s a great place for a bit of cultural exchange.

Of course the food is delicious too! Aside from yakitori, they also have a wide variety of original dishes. Say goodbye to your fatigue as you sip on a glass of HOPPY (an original Japanese non-alcoholic beer-like beverage) mixed with shochu (a Japanese spirit) and munch down on a balanced meal of grilled meat and veggies. Yakitori is a very quintessential Japanese experience, and I think it is definitely worth experiencing!

Establishment name:YAKITORI tecchan – Kichijoji
Address:1-1-2 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo

The abundance of nature, cultural resources, and human kindness make for the perfect balance of civilization and nature. To spend your days in the busy city, yet be able to come home and be surrounded by human warmth must be bliss.

The way tradition and modern culture are able to exist in such harmony here is one of the main things I love about Japan, and about Tokyo. I’m sure there are still many wonders to be discovered in the Tama area, and in Tokyo in general, and I urge you to discover them!

More information about TAMA,pleasa check here.