From Takao Station: Musashi Imperial Graveyard, Cherry Blossoms at Tama Forest Science Garden, and Hachioji Castle Ruins

This course is tailored for the cherry blossom season and starts from the North Exit of JR Takao Station. First, walk along the path lined with Kitayama cedars at Musashi Imperial Graveyard, home to the mausoleum of Emperor Showa. On the way back toward the station, stop by Tama Forest Science Garden to explore a forest of cherry trees gathered from across Japan. Finally, take a bus to Hachioji Castle Ruins to trace the remains of the mountain fortress built by Hojo Ujiteru and the story of its fall.

History and Regional Appeal

At the foot of the mountains north of Takao Station lie three locations from different eras.

The oldest is Hachioji Castle. It is a mountain castle that Hojo Ujiteru, the third son of Hojo Ujiyasu (the third-generation head of the Odawara Hojo clan), began constructing around 1582 on Mount Fukasawa at an elevation of 445 meters. Ujiteru chose Hachioji Gongen, enshrined on Mount Fukasawa, as the castle's guardian deity. This is said to be the origin of the castle's name and the place name Hachioji. On the 23rd day of the sixth month of the old lunar calendar in 1590, the castle fell under attack during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign to subdue the Kanto region, and this fall proved to be the decisive factor leading to the surrender of Odawara Castle.

Musashi Imperial Graveyard began in 1927 when it was designated as the mausoleum site for Emperor Taisho. This was the first time an emperor's mausoleum was established in Tokyo. Today, it contains four mausoleums: those of Emperor Taisho and Empress Teimei, and Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun.

Tama Forest Science Garden originated in 1921 as an experimental forestry station of the Imperial Forestry Bureau within the Imperial Household Ministry. The forest within the garden was direct shogunate land during the Edo period and was protected as an imperial forest from the Meiji era onward. Today, it serves as a branch of the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, conducting research on cherry tree genetic resources and other topics.

A Sengoku-period mountain castle, imperial graveyards, and a forest research facility—by walking along the base of the mountains in Takao, you can trace the reasons why each of these lands has been preserved.

Key Highlights

• ​Musashino Imperial Mausoleum of Emperor Showa​​: The mausoleum of the 124th emperor, Emperor Showa, constructed within the year 1989 following his passing. It is shaped as a round-top and square-base tumulus (joen-kaho-fun), with a round upper tier atop a square lower tier. The adjacent Tama Imperial Mausoleum of Emperor Taisho shares the same shape, while the Musashino Imperial Mausoleum features a gentler slope on its upper round section. From the main gate to the mausoleum stretches an approach of about 400 meters lined with Kitayama cedars brought from Kyoto.
• ​Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute Tama Forest Science Garden​​: In its 8-hectare cherry preservation forest, about 1,800 cherry trees gathered from all over Japan are planted. These include cultivars handed down from the Edo period and clones of national natural monument cherry trees. Blooming times vary by variety, coming into their prime sequentially from late February through late April.
• ​Hachioji Castle​​: Designated a National Historic Site in 1951, it was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in 2006. At the Goshuden ruins, stone walls and fortified entrance gates (koguchi) have been restored using as many original materials as possible. Venetian filigree-glass vessels unearthed during excavations have been found nowhere else in Japan except Hachioji Castle. There is also the Goshuden Waterfall, where warriors and women are said to have cast themselves during the fall of the castle.

Recommended Route and Estimated Time

The estimated time required is about 5 hours. From the North Exit of JR Takao Station, a walk of about 15 minutes brings you to Musashi Imperial Graveyard. Walk along the Kitayama cedar approach from the main gate toward the mausoleums. There are no specific etiquette rules for paying respects. Offerings and monetary donations (saisen) are not accepted.

Tama Forest Science Garden is located about 640 meters in a straight line south-southwest from Musashi Imperial Graveyard. It is about a 10-minute walk from the North Exit of Takao Station, making it easy to visit on your way back toward the station. It is recommended to pick up a guide map of the arboretum at the Forest Science Museum first. The science garden has scheduled closed days, and open days are determined by an annual calendar, so check before heading out. Animals and plants inside the garden are research subjects and may not be taken.

There are no buses returning from the science garden to Takao Station, so walk back to the station's North Exit. From bus stop No. 1 at the North Exit, take a Nishi Tokyo Bus, get off at "Reien-mae / Hachioji-joato Iriguchi", and walk about 20 minutes to reach Hachioji Castle Ruins. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, buses bound directly for "Hachioji-joato" also depart from the same bus stop.

At the Hachioji Castle Guidance Facility by the entrance, learn about the history of the castle through videos and panels before following the well-maintained walking trail toward the Goshuden ruins. The trail up to the main bailey (honmaru) ruins at the top of the mountain is a mountain path taking about 1 hour one way. If time and stamina permit, climb up to the main bailey ruins via Hachioji Shrine along the way. As this is a mountain path, wear comfortable, well-broken-in walking shoes.

Summary of the Experience

Walk the Kitayama cedar approach to compare the mausoleums of two emperors, and wander among distinct blossoms in a forest of cherry trees gathered from across Japan. Finally, listen to the tale of a fallen stronghold at the mountain castle whose guardian deity was Hachioji Gongen, said to be the origin of the place name Hachioji. On a spring day, this course allows you to enjoy both history and flowers along the mountain slopes north of Takao Station.