Hachioji

Hachioji (八王子市 Hachiōji-shi) is in the western part of Tokyo, with a population of about 550,000 people (2010). Home to Mount Takao which surprised the locals by suddenly getting 3 stars on the Guide Michelin in 2007.

Understand
Hachioji gained city status on September 1st, 1917.

Tourist information sites
Official English Travel Guide is available on the city's site.

There is also a semi-official Visitors Guide site maintained by Hachioji Visitors & Convention Association (just one page for its English part).

By plane
If coming from Narita Airport, take the JR Narita Express to Tokyo station, and change for the Chuo Line for service to Hachioji (about 2 hr 15 min, ¥3670). It is a real climb all the way up to the Chuo platforms, but since Chuo line trains start at Tokyo station, odds are you will probably find a seat. The alternative is to continue on the Narita Express to Shinjuku and from there board the Chuo Line, or the less-expensive Keio Line.

If you have a Japan Rail Pass, and if the timing is right, you may be able to reserve a seat on a Kaiji or Azusa train from Shinjuku and have a more comfortable journey to Hachioji.

The Narita Express runs directly from Narita Airport to Hachioji twice in the evening (leaving Narita 19:45 and 20:44), and there are two trains from Hachioji to Narita in the morning (05:19, 05:55).

Six daily airport limousine buses run from Narita to both the JR and Keio Hachioji train stations in about 2 hours, 40 minutes (¥3700).

From Haneda Airport, the easiest way to Hachioji by train is to take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, from where you can take the JR Yamanote Line in either direction, to either Tokyo or Shinjuku station, to pick up the Chuo Line for Hachioji. It costs ¥1180 no matter which way you go; allow about 1 hr 45 min. Slightly faster, but requiring an extra transfer, is to travel via Yokohama.

Six daily limousine buses go from Haneda to the JR and Keio Hachioji train stations in 1½-2 hours (¥1700).

By train
The two main railways serving Hachioji are the JR and the private Keio railway, both of which run directly to Tokyo. The two stations, Hachioji (for the JR) and Keio Hachioji, are separated by a 10-minute walk.

The cheapest trip between Tokyo and Hachioji is on the Keio railway, taking about 50 minutes on the fastest service at a cost of only ¥350. The JR Chuo Line travels to Mitaka from both Tokyo Station (¥780) and Shinjuku (¥460). The faster Chūō Special Rapid (中央特快 Chūō-tokkai) trains run from Shinjuku to Hachioji in 35 minutes, compared to regular rapid trains which take 50–60 minutes.

JR Hachioji is also a primary stop for Azusa (あずさ) limited express trains between Tokyo and Matsumoto, and Kaiji (かいじ) limited express trains between Tokyo, Otsuki and Kofu. These trains require a surcharge on top of the regular train fare. Japan Rail Pass holders can travel on these trains for free; lucky rail pass travelers can hop onto a Kaiji or Azusa unreserved seat car in Shinjuku and get to Hachioji in as little as 30 minutes.

By car

 * Chūō Express onramp and exit.
 * From Akirunoshi through the number 16 road to Hachioji.

By bus
Overnight buses run into and out of Keio Hachioji station. Services run from Kyoto (Tama Bus/Keihan Bus; ¥7950 one way; ¥14310 round-trip), Osaka (Tama Bus/Kintetsu Bus; ¥8250 one way; ¥14770 round-trip) and Kanazawa (Tama Bus/Hokuriku Railroad; ¥8250 one way; ¥14850 round-trip)

Get around
City buses depart from all train stations and serve even the farthest outlying areas. Taxis can also be found at train stations. Renting a car is a reasonable option, but traffic can be slow and parking anywhere in Tokyo gets expensive.

Train

 * East Japan Railway Company (JR East)
 * Chuo Line: Toyoda, Hachiōji, Nishi-Hachiōji, & Takao stations.
 * Yokohama Line: Katakura & Hachiōji-Minamino stations.
 * Hachiko Line: Kita-Hachiōji & Komiya stations. Here, Hachiko (八高) means the line connecting Hachioji (八王子) and Takasaki (高崎), not the loyal dog statued in Shibuya.


 * Keiō Corporation: In fact, Keio (京王) means the line connecting Tokyo (東京) and Hachioji (八王子).
 * Keiō Line: Naganuma, Kitano, & Keio-Hachioji stations.
 * Keiō Takao Line (branching at Kitano station): Keio-Katakura, Yamada, Mejirodai, Hazama, Takao, & Takaosanguchi stations.
 * Keiō Sagamihara Line (branching at Chofu station): Keiō-Horinouchi & Minami-Osawa stations.

See




Do




Learn
Hachiōji is home to over 20 universities and technical schools.



Work
Various large corporations have factories, branches, and head offices in Hachioji.

Buy
Scattered within 10 minutes from JR Hachioji Station's North Exit and Keio-Hachioji Station, there are about 10-15 used clothing and vintage shops, often 1/4 the price of those found in the more popular shopping districts such as Kichijoji and Harajuku.



Eat
There are many restaurants along the Tama Newtown street. For example, Sushi, Fast foods, Udon, and Chinese noodles. Especially, this region is famous of Chinese noodle. There are a lot of Chinese noodle shops.

Budget
There are many love hotels close to JR and Keio Hachioji Stations, and can even be found in less populated and mountainous areas. Normally love hotels operate on an hourly/bi-hourly system, but are also known to have a cheaper overnight charge. If you want to walk around western areas of Tokyo such as Hachioji and Machida, consider lodging near Tama Center Station or at Tachikawa Station.

Go next
You'll feel closer to nature when you visit to Nagaike Park and Renshoji Park.