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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Kokubunji
国分寺市
Spend a half‑day in Kokubunji: 30 min by Chūō Special Rapid from Shinjuku, visit Tonogayato Park and grab a bite near the station.
Kokubunji is a western Tokyo suburb on the JR Chūō Line, reachable in 20 min from Shinjuku. Its main attractions are a few well‑maintained parks and a compact shopping area, making a half‑day visit sufficient for most travellers.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 国分寺市
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (humid)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–7,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · High ¥13,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | ¥300–¥500 |
| Bento box | ¥600–¥1,200 |
| Bun Bus ride | ¥100 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HND · Haneda Airport
- JR Keikyu line to Shinagawa, then JR Yamanote to Shinjuku (~45 min total)
- NRT · Narita International Airport
- Keisei Skyliner to Ueno, then JR Chūō Line to Kokubunji (~1 h 20 min total)
Typical fares
- Shinjuku → Kokubunji (JR Chūō Special Rapid)
- ¥540, about 20 min (check)
- Bun Bus single ride
- ¥100
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
JR Chūō Line (Special Rapid) stops at Kokubunji; Seibu Kokubunji and Tamako lines terminate here. The city‑run Bun Bus costs ¥100 and covers six routes.
See and do
Known for
- Tonogayato Park
- Musashi Kokubunji Park
- Sugatami Pond
- local fashion mall (Marui/Celeo)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kichijoji | JR Chūō Line east, about 10 min | ≈20 min total |
Sleep
- Hotel Mets Kokubunji
- 74 rooms, adjacent to Kokubunji Station; good for a night stop.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| Where is the station? | 駅はどこですか？eki wa doko desu ka |
| How much is this? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか？kādo de haraemasu ka |
| Toilet, please | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Last Chūō Special Rapid trains leave around midnight; plan return early.
- Park opening hours may vary in summer; check the official park sites.
Kokubunji is a typical Tokyo suburb with low crime; stay aware of train crowding at peak hours.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kokubunji yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Tonogayato Park
- Musashi Kokubunji Park
- Sugatami Pond
- local fashion mall (Marui/Celeo)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Kokubunji city official site: bunjikanko.com/
- Wikivoyage: Kokubunji, revision 4868630 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4868630
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kokubunji). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.