Tachikawa: From Fusai-ji Temple, Home to the National Treasure Rokumen Sekido, to Showa Kinen Park

History and Regional Charm

Tachikawa is home to a medieval warrior temple, as well as a district and a park built on the former grounds of an airfield.

Fusai-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Kencho-ji branch of the Rinzai sect, founded in 1353 during the Nanboku-cho period. It is said that Tachikawa Munetsune, who ruled the Tachikawa area, founded it as a family temple for his clan. On the temple grounds is the Rokumen Sekido (six-sided stone pillar), the only designated National Treasure in Tachikawa City.

North of Tachikawa Station, an airfield once stood. In 1921 (Taisho 10), the establishment of an Imperial Japanese Army airfield was decided, and in September 1945 (Showa 20), it was requisitioned by the U.S. military. Tachikawa Air Base was fully returned in 1977 (Showa 52). On its former site, Showa Kinen Park was created as part of the commemorative project marking the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa's accession to the throne. Next to the park, the GREEN SPRINGS district opened in April 2020.

This walking route leads north from the temple on the Tama River terrace, passes through the district in front of the station, and concludes your day in the expansive park.

Major Highlights

• ​Fusai-ji Temple​​: Bearing the mountain name Genbusan, this Rinzai Kencho-ji branch temple was founded by inviting the priest Motsugai Kaju from Kencho-ji Temple in Kamakura. The National Treasure Rokumen Sekido is a stone structure crafted in 1361, featuring images of the Nio guardians (Kongo Rikishi) and the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitenno) carved onto six stone slabs arranged in a hexagonal shape. Near the main hall, earthworks (earthen ramparts) from the Tachikawa Clan Residence Ruins, a Tokyo Metropolitan Designated Historic Site, still remain.
• ​GREEN SPRINGS​​: A district spanning approximately 3.9 hectares developed by Tachihi Holdings. Climbing the Cascade, a 120-meter staircase with flowing water, leads to the Sky Deck, which commands a panoramic view of Showa Kinen Park. The biotope in the center of the plaza recreates the ecosystem of fauna and flora native to the Tama River basin.
• ​Showa Kinen Park​​: A national government park spanning Tachikawa City and Akishima City, covering a total area of 180 hectares. Along both sides of the 200-meter-long canal watercourse runs a tree-lined avenue of ginkgo trees transplanted from the air base era. In the center of the Open Field (Minna no Harappa), which covers about 11 hectares, stands a large zelkova tree over 20 meters tall. The Japanese Garden of about 6 hectares is designed in the chisen kaiyushiki (pond stroll garden) style and houses a bonsai garden inside.

Recommended Route and Estimated Time

The estimated time required is about 6 hours. Get off at Nishi-Kunitachi Station, one stop from JR Tachikawa Station on the Nambu Line, and start walking from Fusai-ji Temple. As you proceed along the approach (sando), a bell tower is on your right; pass through the two-story gate (romon) in front and cross the arched drum bridge to reach the main hall. The Rokumen Sekido is currently housed inside a new preservation facility and is opened to the public on special viewing days. Please check Tachikawa City's official announcements for viewing dates. A replica of the Rokumen Sekido is on display at the Tachikawa City Museum of Historical and Ethnographical Materials.

From Fusai-ji Temple, head north, pass through Tachikawa Station, and exit via the North Exit. The straight-line distance from Fusai-ji Temple north to GREEN SPRINGS is approximately 1.9 kilometers. From the North Exit of Tachikawa Station, pass through the walkway under the monorail, descend to Sun Sun Road, and continue straight; GREEN SPRINGS will be on your left. Climb the Cascade and view the park from the Sky Deck.

Enter Showa Kinen Park through the Akebono Gate in the free-admission Green Culture Zone. The Akebono Gate is about an 8-minute walk from the Park Exit of Tachikawa-Kita Station on the Tama Toshi Monorail. The Emperor Showa Memorial Museum is located in this zone. Entering the paid area through the Tachikawa Gate brings you right in front of the canal. Beyond that, in the central Open Zone of the park, lies the Open Field (Minna no Harappa). The Japanese Garden is situated in the Forest Zone to the north. As the park grounds are vast, you can also use the Park Train, which makes a circuit in about 50 to 60 minutes. Finally, exit from the Nishi-Tachikawa Gate in the Water Zone, which is about a 2-minute walk to the Park Exit of Nishi-Tachikawa Station on the Ome Line.

Experience Summary

A temple on a river terrace founded by a warrior clan, an urban district born on the site of a former airfield, and an expansive park built around the theme of "Restoration of Greenery and Uplifting of Humanity." In a single day, you can retrace Tachikawa's history from south to north. In the seasons of blooming flowers or autumn leaves, the park's scenery transforms even further.