Hachiōji (八王子市; -shi) is a city located in Tokyo, Japan, about 40 km west of the center of Tokyo.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 545,695 and the density of 2,928.96 persons per km². The total area is 186.31 km². The city is surrounded on three sides by mountains, forming the Hachiōji Basin which opens up toward the east in the direction of Tokyo. The mountain ranges in the southwest include Mt. Takao (500m) and Mt. Jinba (ca. 800m), 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 Route 20, the former Kōshū Highway .

History

Although Hachiōji 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, but especially during the Edo period. For a short period of time, a castle, Hachiōji Castle (八王子城; Hachiōji-jō) existed in the area. It was built in 1584 by Hōjō Ujiteru (北条氏照), but was destroyed already in 1590 during general Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attempt to gain control over all of Japan. During the Meiji period, Hachiōji prospered as an important location for the production of silk and silk textiles. The industry faded away, however, in the 1960s. Today, Hachiōji mainly serves as a bed town for people working in Tokyo, and as a major location for colleges and universities.

Attractions

Hachiōji 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 (500m) is a very popular hiking destination in the southwest, easily accessible through the Keio Takao Line. It is famous for the Takao Shrine (高尾神社; Takao-jinja) and the Shingon Buddhist temple Takao-san Yakuōin Yūkiji (高尾山薬王院有喜寺). 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. Nothing remains of the former Hachiōji Castle. A rare attraction, however, is the Imperial Mausoleum (多摩御陵; Tama Goryō) in which the Taisho and Showa emperors are buried.

Transportation

The JR East Chuo Line and the Keio Electric Railway provide rail service to Hachioji: JR eastward to Shinjuku Station and Tokyo Station, westward to Sagamiko and Kofu; Keio to Shinjuku.

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

External link

• Official website in Japanese