Why Stay in Hachioji Instead of Central Tokyo?

Straightforward Entry and Peaceable Nights

For those who’re planning a visit to Tokyo, your first intuition is likely to be to search for lodges in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Tokyo Station, and possibly Odaiba or Roppongi. However there’s an alternative choice many vacationers overlook: Hachioji.

Situated on the western fringe of Tokyo, Hachioji gives straightforward prepare entry to downtown whereas offering a relaxed, extra inexpensive, and fewer tourist-heavy base in your keep. From luxurious lodges to cozy guesthouses surrounded by nature, it’s part of Tokyo that blends comfort, consolation, and native appeal.

And with direct limousine buses from Haneda Airport, getting there couldn’t be simpler. And when you’re off the bus together with your baggage, it’s quite a bit simpler to navigate to your lodging! Even only a 10 minute stroll from the bus to your lodge could be made far more exhausting when there’s a thick crowd… particularly after a really lengthy day of air journey.

A Sensible Different for Funds and Stability

Let’s be actual, Hachioji is a bit farther from central Tokyo. However that barely longer route does probably not make as a lot of a distinction relying in your day-to-day plans. Even when you keep within the coronary heart of Tokyo, you’ll typically spend 20-Half-hour touring to get from one spot to a different. From Hachioji, it’s normally about 35-45 minutes to Shinjuku on the JR Chuo Line or Keio Line (maybe somewhat longer); a good commerce for the decrease lodge charges and quieter environment.

Except you intend to be out late each night time or need on the spot entry to nightlife and comfort shops, Hachioji gives glorious worth. However, a phrase to the “free spirited” guests: these nights in Tokyo are likely to sneak up! You would possibly discover your final prepare again fairly early and a taxi trip form of expensive, so when you’re a “why not keep somewhat longer” form of individual, simply preserve that in thoughts.

Okay, again to the greatness of Hachioji the place you’ll discover:

Decrease lodge costs: comparable rooms typically price 30-50% much less than in central Tokyo.
Extra availability: no stress about last-minute reservations.
A peaceful, secure, and native setting: excellent after lengthy days exploring Tokyo.

Even factoring in transportation, you’ll doubtless get monetary savings total, whereas having fun with a much less hectic, extra restorative keep.

What’s it like in Hachioji?

Don’t misunderstand: Hachioji isn’t some sleepy suburb, it’s a vigorous metropolis with its personal rhythm and a robust sense of native delight. Many residents have deep roots right here and normally contemplate themselves Hachioji locals earlier than calling themselves Tokyoites.

You’ll discover all of the leisure staples of Tokyo:

Karaoke lounges and small, welcoming bars and izakaya
Procuring malls and native boutiques close to the station
Cultural spots that mix outdated and new Japan: shrines, markets, and community-run artwork areas
A pleasant, down-to-earth vibe that’s straightforward to attach with

In brief, it’s nonetheless metropolitan, however extra acquainted in scale. Lets not overlook, Tokyo is essentially the most densely populated metropolis on earth! It may be somewhat overwhelming for some, particularly for prolonged intervals of time. So, Hachioji is ideal if you wish to expertise Japanese metropolis life with out that shock-factor!

What’s a few of Hachioji’s Historical past?

Lengthy earlier than it grew to become a part of metropolitan Tokyo, Hachioji was referred to as a service provider city and a middle for silk manufacturing. The town nonetheless carries traces of that historical past in its festivals and crafts, whereas embracing trendy tradition with native reside homes, galleries, and universities that preserve the environment youthful.

For those who’re fortunate, you would possibly even catch certainly one of Hachioji’s conventional occasions, such because the Hachioji Competition, held each early August, when the streets fill with meals stalls, floats, and extra.

What’s there to eat in Hachioji?

You don’t have to move to the center of Tokyo for excellent meals. Not solely is there an important collection of basic favorites, a few of Hachioji’s native specialties can’t simply be discovered elsewhere.

Hachioji Ramen: A easy soy-sauce-based ramen topped with chopped onions, beloved for its comforting taste. The broth has unbelievable depth; the flavour has an nearly “muted” high quality that doesn’t precisely leap out, however actually has an influence. It might sound heavy, however truly it’s extremely mild and straightforward to drink. Accomplished with typical toppings like a gentle boiled egg and completely cooked chashu, its simplicity to perfection. Study all about this unbelievable spot on this article!

Craft beer bars and impartial cafés: Standard with college college students and locals. Takaone (a lodge, we go into extra element later) additionally brews its personal beer!

Household-run izakaya: Pub-like institutions the place you possibly can chat with the house owners and expertise true Japanese hospitality.

Pankatsu: A unusual dish that you simply’ve nearly definitely by no means heard of: deep fried… bread? …That’s been breaded in panko? Much better than you would possibly suppose, you must attempt it! It’s fairly distinctive, and regardless that it appears easy, there are lots of components that go into making it. It’s been round for many years, so the type has been perfected and handed down. Fascinating, proper? Be sure you take a look at this text the place we interview a neighborhood about it!

The perfect half? You’ll hardly ever want a reservation, and you’ll truly hear your self discuss over dinner. A small however actual luxurious that you could be not understand you had earlier than (particularly after a number of nights in Shinjuku!).

How one can get to and from Hachioji to Vital Spots

From Airports:

There’s a direct limousine‑bus from Haneda Airport to Hachioji Station. The fare is ¥2,100 (grownup) and ¥1,050 (little one). The journey takes round 1 hour 25 minutes.

Narita is a bit additional. Probably the most snug route can be a bus from Narita to Kichijoji Station: ¥3,150 (grownup), Little one One-way: ¥1,580 (little one), the journey takes round 2 hours – 2 hours and Half-hour. After, a trip on the JR Chūō Line (particulars under).

Observe: the Narita to Kichijoji route is presently suspended on the time of this text’s creation; the following best choice is Narita to Shinjuku.

By prepare:

On the JR Chūō Line from JR Hachioji to Shinjuku Station (or Kichijoji station, if you’ll be able to take the bus from Narita): ticket fares are ¥500 for an everyday prepare, taking about 40 minutes.
- Observe: fare costs will rise subsequent spring; these are the costs present as of November 2025.
Equally to the JR line, the Keio Line from Keio‑Hachioji to Shinjuku gives barely decrease fares (¥410) for the native/fast companies and journey time round 50 minutes to an hour.

By freeway bus:

From Hachioji there are frequent freeway‑bus routes to areas equivalent to Mount Fuji and Nagoya, and there are some lengthy‑distance choices to the Kansai area (eg. Osaka / Kyoto). Particular fares depend upon vacation spot, time of 12 months, and repair; you’ll need to test the route and ticket for every bus, however these are a number of charges we have now seen:
- To Yamanashi (Fuji Q Highland, Mount Fuji, and many others.): ¥1,600 – ¥2,000
- To Kyoto, Osaka (Kansai space): ¥4,200 – ¥12,500

Issues you are able to do close to Hachioji:

Mt. Takao: Solely quarter-hour away, certainly one of Japan’s hottest day hikes with a number of trails of various problem, in addition to a cable automobile! Unbelievable views of the Tokyo skyline and Mt. Fuji, if it’s not being shy (clouds…)! Mt. Takao Monkey Park & Wildflower Backyard is dwelling to over 60 Japanese macaques, this park gives an opportunity to watch these clever creatures up shut in a pure setting. It’s a preferred cease for households and animal lovers alike.

Odawara & Hakone: Simply reached by prepare or freeway bus connections, Odawara and Hakone are unbelievable day journeys or weekend getaways. Odawara Fortress, a historic landmark, gives a glimpse into Japan’s samurai previous. Guests can discover its spectacular preserve, benefit from the surrounding park, and uncover the native historical past museum. Hakone is a superb onsen city geared for R&R. The Hakone Ropeway supplies breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and the volcanic exercise of Owakudani, the place you can too attempt the well-known black eggs, amongst different issues.

Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Yokohama: Maybe you already know of those areas, they’re well-known for being a number of the major downtown districts. Yokohama is definitely in Kanagawa, however it’s undoubtedly price visiting for its port-city vibes and multitude of leisure. It will likely be laborious to keep away from Shinjuku and Shibuya when you’re visiting Tokyo. They’re must-visit spots and supply a plethora of issues to see and do.

Okutama: For those who’re licensed to drive, contemplate wanting into this space! Okutama gives alternatives like climbing, kayaking, and canyoning in its pristine rivers and luxurious forests. It’s famend for picturesque lakes like Lake Okutama and quite a few scorching springs.

It’s an important center floor: you possibly can get pleasure from nature, tradition, and comfort with out feeling trapped in a sea of individuals.

What are some good lodges in Hachioji?

Keio Plaza Resort Hachioji

Intently linked (a couple of minute’s stroll) to Hachioji Station which supplies airport limousine bus companies, this massive metropolis lodge gives spacious areas and themed Sanrio Character Rooms which are particularly common with households. Yep- If you wish to immerse your self in Hi there Kitty stuff, that is an astonishingly good choice! And these rooms should not merely a foot within the door, the lodge has tons to supply! A number of eating places (even one with an opportunity to see Mt. Fuji from the fifteenth flooring), an in depth morning buffet, and tons extra.

The Keio Plaza lodge additionally gives nice rooms with out the theme as properly, and at an important value. These rooms come full with all of the necessities and facilities you’ll have to be snug and offer you a pleasant quantity of area to sit back and chill out. The value for this sort of high quality and area in a extra central space is significantly extra!

Takaone

A classy, design-forward keep impressed by nature: excellent for vacationers visiting Mt. Takao or those that admire a mixture of outside and trendy aesthetics. For those who’re searching for the consolation of a lodge however geared in the direction of a tenting form of vibe then that is the spot for you! They even provide you with a complimentary bundle of wooden for a campfire, how good! In addition they boast a bonfire space, their unique craft beer, a cushty rooftop, and far more.