Persona 5 Royal Kichijoji Feature


The new Kichijoji zone was what I looked forward to most in Persona 5 Royal.


Like all other zones in P5, Kichijoji (吉祥寺) is based on an actual neighbourhood in Tokyo. One famous nowadays, including with tourists, for its many trendy shops and eateries.

I came to know of Kichijoji from … playing Shin Megami Tensei 1 in 1992, it was the first zone in that classic game. Here’s an unfortunate thing too. Despite the neighbourhood having a certain special place in my heart, I’ve never been there.

It’s not exactly far from Tokyo downtown. By express train, it’s just 16 minutes i.e. five stops from Shibuya. And yet I’ve never once thought about visiting.

Even when I went to Tokyo in 2018 for a Persona/SMT holiday, I didn’t once think about popping by. In fact, I skipped nearby Inokashira Park too because the whole area felt “too far away” from Shibuya to me.

… It’s inexplicable! What was I thinking? The shame!

Luckily, the heart of Kichijoji is now a full zone in Persona 5 Royal. I can at least have a virtual taste of this famous Tokyo disctrict.


All screenshots belong to Atlus!


Persona 5 Royal Kichijoji Zone
The entrance to the district. If you refer to this spot on Google Maps, you’ll see how faithful Persona 5 Royal’s Kichijoji is compared to the real place.
Persona 5 Royal Kichijoji Shopping District
The original Persona 5 lacked such a classically Japanese shopping street. It’s great that one’s finally in the game.
P5 Royal Second Hand Clothes Shop
The Second-hand clothes shop. A great place for selling useless sooty gear for money. Lots of money!
Persona 5 Royal Kichijoji Temple
The temple that the district is named after. From what I’ve read, there are hard-core upgrades to be earned from here in the later months of the game.

Kichijoji Trivia

Kichijoji means “Auspicious Temple” in Japanese, but this is not the temple found at the heart of the shopping district in the game. The actual one burnt down long ago. (In 1657).

Also, the temple in the game is named “Bright Heart Temple,” whereas the one in real-life, at the exact same location, is named “Moon Window Temple.” Why the name change by Atlus? Who knows!

Finally, Kichijo (吉祥) itself is a reference to Kichijoten (吉祥天), the Japanese version of the Hindu goddess Lakshimi. If you’re a SMT player, you’d know that Lakshimi is one of the most desirable healing goddess to get in the series!

Shops, a Darts Club, and an Alley Full of Eateries

Persona 5 Stoneon Shop.
The Stoneon shop sells many useful accessories. The prices would make you sigh like Ryuji, though.
Persona 5 Royal Darts Mini-Game
At the darts club with my bro Ryuji. I’m great at this mini-game, thanks to training by the Yakuza games. But what really thrill me about this location is …

The BGM for this club is a new arrangement of “Kichijoji,” the main map soundtrack for the same zone in Shin Megami Tensei 1. Hearing the tune, especially the signature bam-bam-BAM-bam-bam motif REALLY brings back memories for me. (This is not the first time Atlus is nodding to SMT 1 in this way too. The tune was rearranged for many other SMT games too)

Playing darts here with your party members also upgrades their baton pass abilities, making that killer move even deadlier. Playing billiards have combat benefits too, and gives all who are there a small confidant rank boost.

Further on the baton pass, some reviews have highlighted that the upgrade makes normal mode game play far too easy.

I tend to agree. However, having already played the main story twice, I can’t say I mind. I personally prefer the game to proceed faster, especially during the dungeon-crawling parts.

Update Nov 2020: Check out my arrangement of this classic tune!

Persona 5 Royal Harmony Yokocho
All sorts of eateries in and around “Harmony Yokocho.” Near all of these are cosmetic but under the night sky, they are extremely atmospheric. (In real-life, the alley is called Harmonica Alley)
Persona 5 Royal Jazz Jin Alley.
Near Jazz Jin. This bar, which I have yet to unlock, is crucial to advancing a certain confidant. (So I’ve read) Anyhow, the whole alley, particularly the records shop, reminds me of Kids on the Slope.
Persona 5 Royal Kichijoji Night
I think the graphic upgrades of Persona 5 Royal really shows in this district. Especially at night!

How to unlock Kichijoji in P5 Royal?

You don’t need to do anything. After stealing Madarame’s heart, Ryuji will propose an outing to the darts club. The zone then unlocks. (Note that not all features will be available right away, though)


Throwback

Take a look at the following two screenshots. These are Kichijoji from Shin Megami Tensei 1.

SMT 1 Kichijoji Zone
Simple’s the word. Although, the isometric shapes came to be associated with the SMT series for a while.
Shin Megami Tensei 1 Kichijoji Map
The map’s simple but accurate. Inokashira Park is in it. At the right location too.
Kichijoji Sightseeing Feature
Kichijoji sightseeing feature in an old Japanese travel magazine of mine.

Persona 5 Royal First Impressions!

Person 5 Tips. Updated to include P5 Royal!

Summary
Persona 5 Royal Kichijoji Feature | The Scribbling Geek
Article Name
Persona 5 Royal Kichijoji Feature | The Scribbling Geek
Description
Persona 5 Royal Kichijoji feature. Not only is this new zone visually splendid, there are many skill upgrades to be earned too.
Author
Scribbling Geek
Scribbling Geekhttps://www.scribblinggeek.com
Geek, gamer, writer, movie lover, photographer, and occasional graphic artist. I like to consider myself a one-stop content creator of sorts. But the truth is, I obsess over too many hobbies.

Related Articles

Thanks for commenting!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

error: Alert: Content selection is disabled!!
%d bloggers like this: