Machida, Tokyo
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Machida (町田市; -shi) is a city located in the western part of the greater metropolis of Tokyo, Japan.
As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 398,481 and the density of 5,563.82 persons per km². The total area is 71.62 km².
An oasis of rolling hills with many large parks, botanical gardens, and even some rice paddies terraced into those hills, Machida is one of the best kept secrets in the steel and concrete jungle of Tokyo. A thirty-six minute ride by express train (on the Odakyu commuter rail line) to Japan's single busiest transit hub, Shinjuku Station, Machida is home to many a worker heading into central Tokyo each day. With plunging land values over the last decade and a half, many young families that previously had no chance of buying a house in the greater Tokyo area, discovered that a single-family home in Machida suddenly became affordable again over the last few years. This economic windfall, coupled with the sometimes quaint, sometimes breathtaking scenic views and healthier environment of the northern part of the city made the Tsurukawa district of Machida purportedly the fastest growing residential area in all of Tokyo in 2004. Mornings in Machida often offer majestic views of the world renowned Mount Fuji to the west. The ample verdancy of the aforementioned rolling terrain comes alive with sweeping panoramas of pink during the spring's cherry blossom season. Then come autumn, the ambers and brilliant oranges rival anything, say, a place like America's New England has to offer. Again in the northern part of Machida, Nozuta Park, Dahlia Garden, Botan Park, and Yakushi-Ike Park are just some of the picturesque recreational places which the locals enjoy. Many a Tokyoite from other regions too, escape to Machida on weekends to enjoy a day of hiking through the gardens, hills, and pedestrian bridges elevated over lilly ponds.
The area immediately surrounding Machida Station itself, is more of a typical, suburban Tokyo setting. An older, traditional Japanese-style shopping street and network of off-shooting alley ways still exists just southeast of the station. But many of the major Japanese department stores have come to dominate the skyline along the main drag running along the west side of the station. And drab concrete and glass boxes become the norm, rather than the abundant greenery described above. Still, those who get a charge out of the unique hustle and bustle of urban Japan won't be at a loss in central Machida.
In addition to the east-west running Odakyu line, the JR rail system's.Yokohama Line also passes through Machida, running north and south.
The city was founded on February 1, 1958. Image:Yakushi.jpg Image:MachidaHills.jpg
External links
- Machida official website in Japanese