Tachikawa (立川市 Tachikawa-shi) is a city in western Tokyo.
Understand
[edit]Tourist information
[edit]The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate. They also have an english pamphlet.
Get in
[edit]
Downtown Tachikawa is served by the JR Chuo line, JR Nambu line, and Tama Monorail.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]- 1 Showa Kinen Park (国営昭和記念公園). The largest park in Tokyo. Spanning over 160 hectares, this huge park boasts a variety of natural spaces, seasonal flowers, water features, museums and sports facilities. The park was opened in 1983 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa's reign, on land reclaimed from a US air base.
- 2 Fusaiji Temple (普濟寺). Buddhist temple.
- 3 Suwa Jinja Shrine (諏訪神社). Shinto shrine.
Green Belt, perfect for walking or riding a bike. It goes from Tachikawa North, to Kunitachi.
Subaru of Tachikawa (aka Car Do), one of the largest Subaru dealers featuring large amounts of aftermarket parts as well as used cars. A frequent Subaru-enthusiast tourist stop.
Do
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There are several movie theaters and a department store near the station. These are somewhat busy on weekends.
- 1 Tachikawa Racetrack (たちかわ競輪場) (a short (free) bus ride from Tachikawa Station), ☏ +81 42-524-1121. Bicycle racing (keirin) takes place on a banked oval track. Keirin was invented in Japan for gambling purposes and became an Olympic sport in 2000 in its modified form.
- 2 Tachikawa Stage Garden. A large event venue with interesting architecture and near-daily concerts.
Festivals and events
[edit]- Tachikawa Festival (立川まつり). Late July. Many large fireworks are set off in Showa Kinen Park from 19:15–20:15.
Buy
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There are many shopping spots, Isetan, Takashimaya SC, Lumine, Granduo, and so on. Lumine is very popular for teenagers. Isetan is a famous department store in Japan, so it might have shop clerks who can speak English or other languages. On the other hand, Takashimaya closed in 2023 and reopened in 2024 as a shopping complex - shocking the locals with cheaper shops such as Seria \100 shop, OK Store supermarket and Hama-zushi belt-conveyor sushi.
All these complexes have some café or restaurants, so you can rest while shopping.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Adam's Awesome Pie, Kotobukiya 204, 4-5 Midori-cho, ☏ +81 42 595-8375. 11:30–20:00. Serves British-style food made by a Japanese guy. One of the signature dishes is a burger that has pieces of apple inside.
- 2 Muan (蕎麦懐石 無庵 Soba Kaiseki Muan). Expensive upper-class soba place.
Granduo (left at exit subway/metro) has good eating area at the 6th and 7th floor.
Drink
[edit]- 1 County Clare, 2-15-21 Akebonocho, ☏ +81 42-523-8307. 17:00-02:00. An Irish pub.
Sleep
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- 1 Palace Hotel Tachikawa (パレスホテル立川), 2-40-15 Akebonocho (5 minutes walk on 1st level pedestrian walking bridge), ☏ +81 42-527-1111. Business hotel with nice staff, many of whom speak English.
Connect
[edit]- 1 Tachikawa Immigration Branch Office (東京入国管理局 立川出張所), Kita 3-31-2, ☏ +81 42-528-7179. M-F 09:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00. This small immigration branch office can perform various services for foreign residents of Japan. It doesn't have a full range of services, though, so check the website carefully before heading out. Unlike some other immigration offices, they speak no English — Japanese language ability is necessary. Prices for immigration services are standard across the country.
Go next
[edit]- Akishima, straight across Showa Kinen Park, has a museum with a massive replica whale fossil.
- Kunitachi is right next door. The "Tachi" part of it's name comes from Tachikawa.
- Hachioji is home to the famous Mount Takao, which has nature in abundance and is a breath of fresh air.
- Fussa
- Akiruno
- Kokubunji
- Musashimurayama
- Higashiyamato
- Kodaira
| Routes through Tachikawa |
| Nagoya ← Hachioji ← | W  E
|
→ Suginami → Tokyo |
| Okutama ← Ōme ← Haijima ← | W  E
|
→ into 
|
| END ← | N  S
|
→ Yaho → Fuchu Honmachi → Kawasaki |
| Haijima ← | W  E
|
→ Kodaira → Tanashi → Seibu Shinjuku |