Hachioji, Core city in western Tokyo, Japan.
Hachioji sits at the edge of the Okutama Mountains in the western part of the Tokyo metropolitan area and counts among the larger cities in the region. Residential neighborhoods alternate with forested slopes that shape the horizon in three directions, giving the place a calmer atmosphere.
The city emerged as a key stop on the road leading westward from Tokyo toward the mountain regions, serving as a rest point for travelers during the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 19th century, the place transformed into a center for silk production that thrived until the surrounding valleys industrialized.
The name comes from a legend about eight princes once worshipped on a nearby hill, while today the city is animated by students moving between lectures and cafés. You notice the variety of small restaurants catering to the young population, offering traditional tea shops alongside modern bookstores.
The rail line from the city center brings visitors here in under an hour, with trains running regularly in both directions and making the city easy to reach. Many routes lead from the central neighborhoods to the forested edges, suitable for day trips with light hiking.
On summer weekends, locals board the trains to hike in the forests on the western edge of the city and enjoy views of the neighboring peaks. Some visitors do not realize they are still within the administrative boundaries of the capital, so noticeably the landscape changes.
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