Choufu

Choufu is located in the Western area of Tokyo. The way Choufu got its name is rather interesting; around the 7th century Japan adopted a tax system from China, the method of paying taxes in this tax system was not only with money, but also with other special products. In the olden days Choufu was known for its fabric, therefore, in Choufu people used to pay their taxes with fabric. If you look at the Chinese characters comes from the tax system and 布means cloth or fabric. Choufu is often mixed with Den'enchoufu, however, Den’enchoufu is located near Jyugaoka; this area is a very exclusive residential area where many celebrities and people with a great deal of money live. Choufu is a lush residential and business area near the Tama River, which runs between Tokyo City and Kanagawa Prefecture.

In Choufu there are not only many natural places there are also many historical shrines and temples. There is the Tama River and the Jindai Shokubutsu Botanical Park, Jindai Temple, and Fudaten Shrine. There are also entertainment places such as Ajinomoto Stadium and Choufu Airport.

Tama River	Jinda Temple	Jinda Temple's Daruma Market

The Jindai Shokubutsu Botanical Park is the only Botanical Park in the Metropolitan area. Currently, there are 4500 different kinds of varieties and 100,000 plants that are growing. Inside the park there are many types of plants such as Roses, Azaleas, and Plum Trees; these are all divided into 30 blocks, with the same varieties put into the same area. Learn about Botany while viewing the flowers. Not only is this park famous for it’s Plum and Cherry Blossom trees, it is also famous for housing the largest amount of Roses. There are 274 varieties of roses and 5100 roses. In spring and autumn there is a Rose Festival. At night it is lit up and concerts are held, along with other various events.

Jindai Temple was built in the Nara Period (710-794); it is the second oldest temple in Tokyo, Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple being the oldest. The temple grounds have many ponds and channels. It is a temple almost completely surrounded in water. This temple is known as a place where people come to pray for warding off evil, prosperity, and to find love. Every year on March 3rd and 4th there is a Daruma (little red tumbling dolls) Market, the soba noodles here are also famous. There are about 25 soba noodle shops; there are also many places to buy souvenirs. This place is always crowded with tourists. Besides the soba shops there are also many cafes and ceramics shops where you can experience making ceramics.

Choufu was once called the Orient’s Hollywood. After the war the movie pop culture was born in Choufu. In 1933 the first film studio was built. From about 1955-1960 they became very prosperous. To create a good quality movie it is important that the film have clean air and water. Choufu had both at that time, and therefore was suitable for making movies. These days other than movie sets, you can also see the activities that go along with making TV programs and commercials.

Fudaten Shrine	Kitaro Tea house	Kitaro Tea House

Sightseeing Spot:
Jindai Temple
Jindai Shokubutsu Botanical Park
Jindaiji Onsen Yukari
Fudaten Shrine
Kadokawa Daiei Studio
Nikkatsu Studio
Choufu Fireworks Show

Shopping:
Jindaiji Soba
Jindaiji Daruma Market
Parco Departmentstore

Access:
Keio Line/Toei Shinjuku Line---Sengawa Station, Tsutsujigaoka Station,
Shibasaki Station, Kokuryou Station, Fuda Station, Choufu Station, Nishi-Choufu Station, Tobitakyuu Station
Sagamihara Line---Keio-Tamagawa Station