Sightseeing in Metropolitan Tama Hills Natural Park
Sakuragaoka Seiseki Memorial Hall (Formerly Known as the Tama Seiseki Memorial Hall)
This memorial hall is located inside Sakuragaoka Park, where you can also see seasonal beauty such as cherry blossoms in spring and colorful foliage in autumn. The hall is a western-style building constructed in 1930 in commemoration of the imperial visit by the Emperor Meiji. It is designated as a cultural asset of the city and an especially important scenic historical building of Tokyo. Writings and paintings by famous people from around the Meiji period and photographs of plants from around Tama City are exhibited in the hall. The hall also hosts special exhibitions. Because important historic materials are on display, visitors are not allowed to take photographs or video in the hall, even for personal use. The hall is open from 10:00 to 16:00.
http://www.city.tama.lg.jp/0000003475.html (website of Tama City)（外部サイト）
Kongo Temple (Takahata Fudoson Temple)
Takahata Fudo Kongo Temple is the temple where Hijikata Toshizo of the Shinsengumi and his ancestors are buried, as well as the quasi-head temple of the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism. It is located in the Takahata area of Hino City in Tokyo, and is commonly known as Takahata Fudoson Temple. The temple holds a festival on the 28th day of every month, during which it is always crowded with many visitors. The temple’s annual events are also popular. Kongo Temple is known as one of the three major Fudo temples in the Kanto region, along with Narita-san Shinsho Temple and one other. Many important cultural assets and important artifacts, such as the wooden statue of Fudo Myo-o and Nidojizo are housed here. The shrine is located only a three-minute walk from Takahatafudo Station on the the Keio Line, or a five-minute walk from the Takahatafudo Station on the Tama Intercity Monorail.
Hirayama-joshi Park
Hirayama-joshi Park straddles Hachioji City and Hino City. It was established by Keio Corporation in 1954, and was designated a Tokyo Metropolitan Park in 1980. The residence of Hirayama Sueshige, a samurai from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) was located near the park. The first half of the park’s name comes from his name. The second half of the name, “joshi”, means ”castle ruins” because the castle’s watch tower was thought to be located within the area that is now the park. Sueshige Shrine, where Hirayama Sueshige is enshrined, is located near the entrance to the park. The park area consists of mixed forests of sawtooth oak and Quercus serrata, and 500 Yoshino and Japanese mountain cherry trees are planted in the park. The park is popular as a great place for enjoying cherry blossoms. It is located about 20 minutes on foot from Hirayama-joshi Koen Station on the Keio Line.
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index066.html（外部サイト）
Tama Zoological Park
Tama Zoological Park was constructed by utilizing the terrain and nature of the Tama Hills. The park is located in Hino City. It first opened 40 years ago, and since the construction of the Tama Intercity Monorail, it has become even easier to get to. The zoo occupies an area of approximately 60 hectares, and about 60 percent of that area is occupied by mixed forests. The park is designed to reflect the natural environment, and as such, fences are used only where necessary. Wild animals such as insects and wild rabbits live in the park. You can also enjoy the seasonal changes woven throughout the forests in the hilly area. The zoo is located right in front of Tama Dobutsu Koen Station on the Tama Intercity Monorail and the Keio Line.
Keio Mogusaen
Keio Mogusaen is a garden located in the Mogusa area of Hino City, which is a part of the Tama Hills. Keio Mogusaen has its origins in the Edo period, when Jushoin Jigakugen Choni, the wife of Okubo Toshitake, the lord of Odawara Castle, reconstructed Shoren Temple, which had been lost in a fire, to mourn the death of the eldest son of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The reconstructed temple would later become Keio Mogusaen. A plum tree that was hand-planted by Jushoin still lives there today, and is called the Jusho Plum. In the park, there are monuments engraved with the works of poets such as Wakayama Bokushu and Matsuo Basho. Many types of flowers fill the park in different seasons, including about 500 plum tress of about 50 different species, which create a breathtaking landscape when they bloom in winter. The park is located about 10 minutes on foot from Mogusaen Station on the Keio Line.
(C)Keio Mogusaen (Hino City)
Agriculture
Tama City has implemented a system of local production for local consumption, which is both environmentally friendly and a great way for people to enjoy delicious local vegetables. Many of the seasonal vegetables and fruits eaten at home by local families are produced within Tama City. Seasonal vegetables include bamboo shoots, rape blossoms, and rapeseed in spring; eggplants, tomatoes, zucchini, blueberries, and water spinach in summer; sweet potatoes, peanuts, chestnuts, and persimmons in autumn; and Napa cabbage, daikon, spinach, carrots, and yams in winter. In addition, "Tama hatsu! Marché" (the Made-in-Tama Market) participated for the first time in an event called Farmer's Market @ UNU, which is held in the square in front of the United Nations University at Aoyama. At the event, specialties from Tama, such as ice cream and vegetable and fruit sauces from Higashi-Murayama and smoked cheese from Hinode.
Campuses Filled with Trees
The Tama Hills area, including Tama City and Hachioji City, is home to many colleges and universities where many students study. The expansive campuses surrounded with trees help to nurture the students, contributing to their ability to reach their full potential. Universities, citizens, economic organizations, businesses, and governments are working together to utilize the unique characteristics of the region and to build an attractive academic community. In order to achieve these goals, a variety of activities have been implemented to encourage universities, students, and citizens to think and work together.
Kaiun Soba, a Famous Local Restaurant
Kaiun Soba, is soba noodle restaurant located four minutes on foot from Takahatafudo Station on the Keio Line. This is the designated restaurant of Takahata Fudoson Temple. Souvenirs are also sold in the restaurant. Kaiun Soba, the specialty of the restaurant, is mostly enjoyed by temple visitors who eat the soba for luck before or after they visit the temple. The restaurant also offers other lucky dishes such as fukuyose (luck-bringing) soba, Nio Soba, and Kongo Temple nabe-udon (hot pot-style udon noodles). In addition to tables, the restaurant has private Japanese-style rooms for parties up to ten people and banquet rooms for up to 60 people, which are convenient for large groups.
Kamata Toriyama
Kamata Toriyama is a restaurant located within Naganuma Park that serves dishes made with wildfowl. The nostalgic building resembles a traditional-style house. Guests can roast their own food over a fire pit while they eat. In addition to roasted wildfowl, guests can enjoy grilled skewers of quail eggs and vegetables. The restaurant is located at the top of a trail in Naganuma Park. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the top of the trail. From the windows of the restaurant, guests can enjoy a view of the towns of the Tama Hills. The restaurant is about a 22-minute walk from Naganuma Station on the Keio Line. The restaurant is close to Yaen Kaido (Prefectural Route 160), and provides parking for its guests, making it also convenient to visit by car.
Petit Finbec, A French Restaurant
Petit Finbec is a French restaurant located about seven minutes on foot from Takahatafudo Station on the Keio Line. The chef who opened the restaurant previously trained for 16 years at locations such as the Teikoku Hotel, the Japanese Embassy in Geneva, and a prestigious restaurant in Kiryu City. The restaurant offers a casual and homey atmosphere for guests to enjoy delicious French meals, as the chef wishes to deliver high-class French dinners that are not too expensive.
Casual Hiking with Beautiful Views of Mountains and Nearby Towns
For those who want to enjoy a casual hike near Tokyo, or who are not quite ready for full-fledged mountain climbing, we recommend a hike in the Tama Hills. Many natural features, such as mixed forests and fields, contribute to beautiful seasonal views of the mountains and nearby towns, allowing visitors to easily get the same satisfaction they might find in a more difficult hike. Hino City and Tama City have selected recommended walking courses for the enjoyment of visitors.
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Related link
Metropolitan Tama Hills Natural Park
- Features of Metropolitan Tama Hills Natural Park
- History of Metropolitan Tama Hills Natural Park
- Wildlife of Metropolitan Tama Hills Natural Park
- Sightseeing in Metropolitan Tama Hills Natural Park
- Accessing Metropolitan Tama Hills Natural Park