Hachikokuyama, Metropolitan nature reserve in Higashimurayama, Japan.
Hachikokuyama is a nature reserve extending along a ridge roughly 1.5 kilometers long, where Konara and Kunugi oak trees grow to about 100 meters elevation. Mixed woodland covers the slopes throughout the park.
The archaeological site Shimoyakebe within the park holds remains from the Jomon period, including ancient irrigation systems that continued into the Muromachi period. These finds reveal that humans have used this land for thousands of years.
The forested slopes inspired the landscapes in Studio Ghibli's animated film My Neighbor Totoro, and walking here today feels similar to scenes shown in the movie. Visitors often recognize these settings while exploring the trails.
The park is easily accessible on foot: it takes roughly three minutes from Seibuen Station or about ten minutes from the south exit of Seibu-Yuenchi Station. Wearing good walking shoes is recommended since the trails wind through wooded slopes.
The name means Eight Country Mountain because the summit offers views of mountains from eight different provinces. On clear days, visitors can still see this wide panorama from the top.
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