The ruins located at Motohachioji-machi, Hachioji, is the former site of the Castle existed in the 16th century.
The mountain castle was built upon the orders of Hojo Ujiteru, the third son of Hojo Ujiyasu, the third head of the Hojo Clan whose stronghold is the Odawara Castle located in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Having a height of 455m above sea level, Hachioji Castle was the prominent mountain castle in the Kanto Region. However, in 1590, it fell under the hands of Toyotomi Hideyoshi when he gained control of the whole region.
The present name of the city "Hachioji"was named after Hachioji shrine where Gozo-Tenno, the guardian god of Hachioji castle, his eight princes were enshrined at.
Stone walls, paths such as Koguchi (a castle entrance), and the old path to Goshuden (the main building) that used to be at the base of the castle were restored in 1990, 400 year anniversary of the castle's fall.
The original stone pavements and walls that had been found by excavation are preserved as much as possible, and faithful restoration of some ruins to their original appearance also has been done.
A small shrine now stands on at the ruins of Honmaru nearby the top of the mountain castle.
Hachioji Castle was included to "Japan's 100 Famous Castles" by the Japan Castle Foundation in April 2006, and is a popular tourist spot even in Hachioji.
Access
MAP▶
By bus: From Bus Platform 1 at the North Entrance of JR Takao Station, ride a Nishi Tokyo bus bound for "Takao no Mori Wakuwaku Village", "Hoshoji Danchi", "Ongata Terminal", "Okubo", "Jinma Kogen-shita", "Green Town Takao", or "Miyama-cho", and alight at "Reien-mae / Hachiojijoato Iriguchi" bus stop; approximately 15-minute walk from the bus stop.
Buses bound for "Hachioji Joseki" from Bus Platform No. 1 at the North Exit of JR Takao Station are only available on weekends and holidays.
By car: Approximately 10-minute drive towards Takao from Ken-O Expressway's Hachioji Interchange. Alternatively, approximately 40-minute drive through Koshu Road from the 2nd exit of Chuo Expressway's Hachioji Interchange.
Nearby tourist spots
・Hachioji Castle Ruins guidance facility
Located at the bottom of the Hachioji Castle ruins, the guidance facility provides easy-to-understand explanations about the history of Hachioji Castle and others to first-time visitors.
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: End of year and start of the following year (from December 29 to January 3; the museum may close irregularly.）
Admission: free
