Hachiōji, Tokyo

Hachiōji
八王子市
Core City

View of top left, Downtown Hachioji, Komiya Park, Naganuma Park, Mount Takao, stone fence and bridge in Hachioji Castle site, Yakuoin in Mount Takao, Hachioji Ramen, Hachioji Traditional Festival on August

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Location of Hachiōji in Tokyo Metropolis
Hachiōji

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 35°39′58.82″N 139°18′56.9″E / 35.6663389°N 139.315806°E / 35.6663389; 139.315806Coordinates: 35°39′58.82″N 139°18′56.9″E / 35.6663389°N 139.315806°E / 35.6663389; 139.315806
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Tokyo Metropolis
Government
 • Mayor Takayuki Ishimori (石森 孝志 Takayuki Ishimori)
Area
 • Total 186.31 km2 (71.93 sq mi)
Population (June 30, 2014)
 • Total 563,265
 • Density 3,023.26/km2 (7,830.2/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Ginkgo
 • Flower Gold-banded lily
 • Bird Blue and white fly catcher
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Hall Address 3-24-1 Motohongo-cho, Hachiōji-shi, Tokyo
192-8501
Website www.city.hachioji.tokyo.jp

Hachiōji (八王子市 Hachiōji-shi) is a city in Tokyo, Japan, about 40 kilometers west of the center of the 23 special wards of Tokyo.

As of June 30, 2014, the city had an estimated population of 563,265 and a population density of 3,023.26 persons per km². The total area is 186.31 km².

It is the eighth largest city in the Greater Tokyo Area. The city is surrounded on three sides by mountains, forming the Hachioji Basin which opens up toward the east in the direction of Tokyo. The mountain ranges in the southwest include Mount Takao (599 m) and Mount Jinba (857 m), two popular hiking destinations which can be reached by train and bus, respectively. Two major national roads, Route 16 (which connects Kawagoe in the north with Yokohama in the south) and National Route 20, the former Kōshū Kaidō.

History

Although Hachioji only gained city status on September 1, 1917, it has been an important junction point and post-town along the Kōshū Highway, the main road that connected the historical Edo (today's Tokyo) with Western Japan since medieval times, especially during the Edo period. For a short period of time, a castle, Hachioji Castle existed in the area. The castle was built in 1584 by Hōjō Ujiteru, but was soon destroyed in 1590 during General Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attempt to gain control over all of Japan. During the Meiji period, Hachioji prospered as an important location for the production of silk and silk textiles. The industry faded away, however, in the 1960s. Today, Hachioji mainly serves as a commuter town for people working in Tokyo, and as a location for many large colleges and universities.

During the 1964 Summer Olympics, the city played host to the road cycling events. A velodrome in the city played host to the track cycling events.[1]

Attractions

Hachioji stretches over a vast area, combining such diverse parts as the densely populated city center and its shopping district with the hardly populated rural areas in the west. Mt. Takao (599 m) is a popular hiking destination in the southwest, easily accessible through the Keio Takao Line. It is famous for Takao Shrine and the Shingon Buddhist temple Takao-san Yakuōin Yūkiji (高尾山薬王院有喜寺). The Tama Forest Science Garden is also of interest. Mt. Jinba (855 m) is more difficult to reach, requiring a one-hour bus ride from the city center. It is popular, however, because of the scenic view toward Mt. Fuji.

Little remains of Hachioji Castle. The Musashi Imperial Graveyard houses the remains of the Taishō and Shōwa emperors.

Transportation

Hachiōji Station

The JR East Chūō Main Line and the private Keio Line provide rail services to Hachioji: JR eastward to Shinjuku Station and Tokyo Station, westward to Sagamiko and Kōfu; Keio to Shinjuku.

The Chūō Expressway is a divided, limited-access toll road that serves Hachioji, roughly parallel to the Chūō Line. Hachioji also lies on National Route 16 and Route 20.

Education

The city operates public elementary and junior high schools.

Public high schools are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education

Private schools:

The metropolis operates the Hachioji School for the Blind.

Nippon Engineering College is also in Hachioji.

Universities

References

  1. ↑ 1964 Summer Olympics official report. Volume 1. Part 1. p. 115.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hachioji, Tokyo.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Hachioji.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, April 14, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.