Hachiōji, Tokyo

Japanese city
Name= Hachiōji
JapaneseName=八王子市
Prefecture=Tokyo
Region=Kantō
Area_km2=186.31
Population=542,712
PopDate=2007
Density_km2=
Coords=
LatitudeDegrees= 35
LatitudeMinutes= 40
LatitudeSeconds=
LongtitudeDegrees= 139
LongtitudeMinutes= 19
LongtitudeSeconds=
Postal code=
Area code=
Mayor = nihongo|Ryuichi Kurosu|黒須 隆一|"Kurosu Ryūichi"
Tree = Ginkgo
Flower = Gold-banded lily
Bird = Blue and white fly catcher
Symbol

CityHallPostalCode = 192-8501
CityHallAddress= Tokyo-to, Hachioji-shi, Motohongo-cho, San-chome, 24-ban, 1-go
CityHallPhone= 042-626-3111
CityHallLink = [http://www.city.hachioji.tokyo.jp/ Hachiōji City] | City

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Elevation=

nihongo|Hachiōji|八王子市|Hachiōji-shi is a city located in Tokyo, Japan, about 40 kilometers west of the center of the special wards of Tokyo.

As of 2007, the city has an estimated population of 542,712 and the density of 2,912.95/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 Hachiōji 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 Route 20, the former Kōshū Kaidō.

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, 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 soon destroyed 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 location for many large 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 (599m) 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). 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 Hachiōji Castle. A rare attraction, however, is the Imperial Mausoleum (多摩御陵; "Tama Goryō") in which the Taishō and Shōwa emperors are buried.

Transportation

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

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

Education

The city operates its public elementary and junior high schools.

Public high schools are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education
*Fujimori High School [http://www.fujimori-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Hachioji East High School [http://www.hachiojihigashi-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Hachioji North High School [http://www.hachiojikita-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Hachioji Soushi High School [http://www.hachioji-soushi-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Hachioji Takushin High School [http://www.hachioji-takushin-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Hachioji Technical High School [http://www.hachiojikogyo-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Katakura High School [http://www.katakura-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Matsugaya High School [http://www.matsugaya-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Minamitama High School [http://www.mt-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]
*Shoyo High School [http://www.shoyo-h.metro.tokyo.jp/]

The metropolis operates the Hachioji School for the Blind [http://www.hachioji-sb.metro.tokyo.jp/]

Nippon Engineering College [http://www.neec.ac.jp/cie/us/] is also in Hachiōji.

Private universities include:
*Soka University of Japan, which has a sister school in the USA, Soka University of America.
*Chuo University

ee also

References

External links

* [http://www.city.hachioji.tokyo.jp/languages/english/index.html Hachiōji official website] in English
* [http://www.city.hachioji.tokyo.jp/ Hachiōji official website] in Japanese
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