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hachioji

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Updated: February 13, 2023

The Tokyo suburb of Hachioji is home to mountain hikes, lively parks, and great art

Hachioji is a western Tokyo suburb often overlooked by tourists, and that should be motivation enough to visit it. Just one hour from downtown Tokyo, Hachioji has lush green parks, and some quality museums.
The city is surrounded on three sides by mountains, including Mt. Takao (599 m) and Mt. Jinba (855 m), two popular hiking destinations.
Hachioji was an important post town along the Koshu Kaido, the main road that connected the capital city with western Japan. During the Meiji era, it prospered as an important location for the production of silk and silk textiles. Today, it serves as a commuter town, and as a location for many colleges and universities.
Hachioji is as an area with many good ramen restaurants, and is known for its "Hachioji Ramen" with soy sauce broth and chopped spring onions.

Tips

  • Visit the castle ruins on a scenic mountaintop
  • See one of Japan's best art collections at the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
  • Take a day trip to Mt. Takao

How to Get There

Your access point for Hachioji is Hachioji Station on the JR Chuo, Yokohama, and Hachiko lines. Keio Hachioji Station on the Keio Line is about 400 meters northeast of Hachioji Station.

From Haneda Airport: About one hour 30 minutes by train.
From Narita Airport: About two hours and 15 minutes by train.
From Shinjuku Station: About 40 minutes on the JR Chuo Line-Limited Express. From Tokyo Station: About one hour on the JR Chuo Line.

See Eastern and Western art at the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum

Tokyo Fuji Art Museum was established in 1983 and remains one of the nation's most extensive collections of art, including Western paintings from the Renaissance and Baroque to the postmodernist eras. Its archives are comprised of about 30,000 pieces from Japan, the East, and the West, and include an expansive photography collection, sculpture, ceramics, lacquerware, and armor. The museum's belief in being a "cultural bridge connecting the world" has led it to collaborate with prestigious museums such as the Louvre and the Palace Museum in Beijing.

Tokyo Fuji Art Museum (interior)
Tokyo Fuji Art Museum (display)

 

Step back in time at the Hachioji Castle Ruins

History buffs won't want to miss these castle ruins located on a mountaintop to the southwest of central Hachioji. The castle was built by the powerful Hojo clan during the Warring States period, but in 1590 it was captured by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and burned down. The closest train station to Hachioji Castle is JR Takao Station. From there, you can take the Nishi Tokyo Bus to the Reienmae/Hachiojijoseki iriguchi bus stop, and walk for 20 minutes.

The stone wall of Hachioji Castle Ruins Stone wall of main hall
The bridge of Hachioji Castle Ruins Entrance to main hall

Archaeologists began excavating the site in the 1980s, and uncovered the remains of a stone staircase and buildings directly connected to the main hall.
The stone stairs and stone walls were restored, and the castle gate was reconstructed. You can now see the castle remains, surrounded by lush greenery, forests and hiking trails.

Hachioji Ramen, soul food with chopped onions

Hachioji Ramen is a local delicacy consisting of a soy sauce-based broth with lard and chopped onions. The lard brings out the sweetness of the chopped onions. There are many restaurants in the city serving Hachioji Ramen, and it is loved by people of all ages. For more information, please visit the Hachimenkai website.

Hachioji Ramen

 

Mt. Takao

The Hachioji area is also rich in nature, and famous for its fireflies and ginkgo trees. Mt. Takao, the best place for a hike near Tokyo, makes for a great day trip. Click here to find out more.

Parks & Gardens

 

Art & Museums

 

Nearby Attractions