Sankei City Hotel Hachioji

Takao-san

by salisbury3933

"Mt. Takao"

Located in the west of Tokyo, in Hachioji city, is Mt. Takao.

It's a very pleasant daytrip from Tokyo and there's plenty there of interest with the various shrines, the scenery, and the hiking trails.

Sketches from Hachioji-shi

by lourdesmaria

"About fifty minutes from Shinjuku Station..."

After a crowded ride from Shinjuku in Tokyo, my friend took me to the very modern and very pretty shopping mall at Hachioji Station. It's quite a contrast to the older, charming sections of the town, yet it fits right in.

"Old Style Shops"

There are many old style shops around the town. They make charming backdrops for photos.

"A Japanese Food Shop/Bakery"

I wasn't able to find the correct way to describe this shop, but they sold assorted cookies, crackers and other confections unique to Japan.

The Japanese have a unique type of cracker called "senbei". It's salty and crunchy and sometimes has toasted nori (seaweed) added to it. My hostess liked these crackers with her bancha (green tea).

For me they were like the kind of snacks you could get at "happy hour". I preferred my senbei with sake. A bit gauche from my hostess' viewpoint but that's my preference!

"Hachioji Post Office"

Now I know sometimes going to the post office can be a tiring experience. But not in Japan. The clerks are so eager to help you get your postcards to their destinations and will sincerely engage you in simple Japanese conversations about your home town and how you find your travels.

Hachioji's post office was very cute.

"Hachioji Water Works"

Not an exciting sketch but I figure you can never know what people will find of interest!