4 Best Sights in Mitaka and Musashino, Tokyo

Located in Koganei, just west of Mitaka, this outdoor museum has brought together 30 historic buildings from around Tokyo. Spread over three zones, there are thatched farmhouses from the late Edo-era and the former residences of politicians and magnates. You will also see charming everyday structures from central Tokyo that date to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The latter includes a traditional bathhouse, old-fashioned bar, and a soy-sauce shop.

With classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, Studio Ghibli has created many of the most loved animated movies in history: Japanese or other. At this museum-slash-theme park in suburban Mitaka—inside Inokashira Park—you can see exhibits that the trace the creative processes that take concepts to screen, while being surrounded by interiors inspired by Ghibli films. A real bonus for Studio Ghibli fans is the on-site cinema that shows short animations exclusive to the museum. It's open until 7 on weekends and holidays (otherwise until 5); admission is by reservation only (booked online).

This cramped warren of alleyways on the north side of Kichijoji Station started life as a flea market in the 1940s, but then was given a much-needed new lease of life in the 1990s when bars and restaurants began taken up residency. It makes a great, less-touristy alternative for bar hopping than the far more famous Golden Gai area in Shinjuku. It has just as much of a down-to-earth, old-Tokyo vibe, albeit on a smaller scale. Some places open as early as 11 am, and most are open until midnight.

South of Kichijoji Station, with one foot in Mitaka and another in Musashino, this park is a large and laidback green space with all sorts to keep you busy for a day. Not only is the Ghibli Museum in the southernmost part of the almost 400,000-square meter (95-acre) park, there’s a small zoo with a guinea pig petting area and a boating pond with swan-shaped paddle boats and row boats. On weekends, expect to see buskers and other street performers, while in spring, when the park is repainted by pink cherry blossoms, you’ll find crowds of picnickers. It’s a lovely spot to take a bento, but there are also small cafés and restaurants scattered around the park. If you are traveling with small kids who need to burn off some energy, the playground equipment here can help with that.