Machida, Japan
Region: Tokyo
Geographic Coordinates: 35.710600, 139.439000
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 25.0°C (50°F to 77°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 434414
Language: Japanese
Machida is a city in the western part of Tokyo, Japan with a population of approximately 450, 000 people. Covering an area of 71.80 square kilometers, It is known for its stunning natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. One of the most popular attractions in Machida is the Sagamihara Prefectural Park, Which covers an area of 67 hectares and offers various outdoor activities such as hiking trails, Picnic areas, And playgrounds. Visitors can also enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Fuji from this park. Another must-see attraction in Machida is the Tamagawa Josui Canal.
Built during the Edo period to transport water from Tama River to Edo (now Tokyo), It has become a popular spot for jogging or cycling along its scenic banks. For those interested in history and culture, Machida has several museums worth visiting such as the Machida City Museum that showcases local history from prehistoric times to modern-day life while Toko-no-Ie Folk Craft Museum displays traditional Japanese crafts like pottery, Textiles, And lacquerware.
Machida also celebrates its cultural heritage through various festivals throughout the year like Katakura Festival held every May at Katakura Shrine where locals dressed in colorful costumes perform traditional dance performances. Foodies will love exploring Machida’s culinary scene featuring local specialties such as soba noodles made with buckwheat flour grown locally in Sagamihara City or grilled eel served with rice at one of many local restaurants. Overall, Machida offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, Cultural heritage and modern amenities making it an ideal destination for anyone looking to experience authentic Japanese culture outside Tokyo’s bustling city center.
- Sagamihara Prefectural Park – a large park with various recreational facilities including a zoo, botanical garden, and athletic fields.
- Machida Squirrel Garden – a park where visitors can interact with squirrels.
- Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts – a museum showcasing modern graphic arts from Japan and around the world.
- Tadao Ando Gallery – an art gallery designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando.
- Yakushiike Park – a scenic park featuring a pond and walking trails.
- Tamagawa Josui Canal – an old canal that was used to transport water from the Tamagawa River to Edo (now Tokyo) during the Edo period.
- Sanrio Puroland – an indoor theme park based on popular characters created by Sanrio, such as Hello Kitty and My Melody.
- Showa Kinen Park – a large park with various recreational facilities including cycling paths, barbecue areas, and seasonal flower displays.
- Yomiuri Land Amusement Park – an amusement park featuring roller coasters, water rides, and other attractions for all ages.
- Shibahiro Station – A unique railway station located in Machida City which is built around giant camphor trees over 500 years old!
- Manufacturing: Machida has a thriving manufacturing sector with many companies producing electronic components, machinery, and precision instruments.
- Information technology: Many IT firms have established their offices in Machida, including software development companies and computer hardware manufacturers.
- Retail: The city has several shopping malls and department stores that cater to the diverse needs of customers.
- Education: Machida is home to various universities and educational institutions offering courses in different fields such as engineering, business management, and healthcare.
- Healthcare: The residents can access quality medical services from the numerous hospitals and clinics located within the city.
- Food industry: There are plenty of eateries ranging from restaurants to cafes to bakeries that serve delicious food items; there are also food processing plants catering to local demands.
- Logistics & transportation: Machida’s efficient transportation system consisting of trains, buses & taxis connects it with other parts of Japan; it also serves as an important logistics hub for goods distribution across Tokyo metropolitan area & beyond.
- Construction Industry: With increasing urbanization, there is high demand for construction activities including residential apartments, commercial buildings, etc.
- The Battle of Sekigahara occurred in Machida in 1600, where Tokugawa Ieyasu and Ishida Mitsunari fought.
- Machida was an important post town during the Edo period on the Koshu Kaido trade route.
- The Hachiman Shrine is one of Japan’s oldest shrines, founded over 1,400 years ago in Machida.
- The Tama River runs through Machida and has been a significant source of water for agriculture and transportation.
- Soseki Natsume lived in Machida from 1900 to 1902 while teaching at a local school; he is one of Japan’s most famous authors.
- Shigeru Mizuki, born in Machida in 1922, was a manga artist known for his work on GeGeGe no Kitaro.
- Masao Maruyama, founder of Madhouse studio which produced anime such as Death Note and One Punch Man, was born in Machida City in 1941.
- Showa University’s gymnasium located in Machida City hosted some events during the Tokyo Olympics held in 1964.
- Machiko Hasegawa created ‘Sazae-san,’ a popular manga series that became one of Japan’s longest-running animated TV series airing from October 1969 until March this year (2022).
- Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts
- Sagami River Fureai Science Museum
- Machida Squirrel Garden
- Tadao Ando Architectural Design Exhibition Center
- Machida Cultural Hall
- Koenji Temple
- Tamagawa Josui Canal Park
- Machida Tenmangu Shrine
- Tsurukawa Hachiman Shrine
Machida, Japan’s Sports Scene
Machida, Japan has a rich history of producing successful athletes in various sports disciplines. The city has hosted numerous national and international competitions, including the 1991 World Wrestling Championships and the 2011 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Football (Soccer)
- Machida Zelvia is a professional team that currently plays in J2 League, which is the second tier of Japanese football.
- The team was founded in 1989 as Towa Real Estate SC before changing its name to FC Machida Zelvia in 2010.
- They have since been promoted to J2 League twice and are known for their passionate fan base.
Baseball
There are several amateur teams based in Machida, including:
- Machida City Baseball Club
- Musashino University Baseball Club
These teams compete locally and regionally but do not have a professional league presence.
Other Popular Sports
Other popular sports played in Machida include:
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Rugby Union
- Judo
- Karate
- Track & Field
Many local schools offer extensive athletic programs that produce talented athletes who go on to represent Japan at national and international competitions.
- The Machida Tenmangu Shrine Festival is held in July and is dedicated to the deity of scholarship, Sugawara no Michizane. Visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese music and dance performances, as well as food stalls and games.
- The Machida Autumn Festival takes place in October to celebrate the arrival of autumn with a parade featuring taiko drumming, traditional dances, and colorful floats.
- The Machida Sakura Matsuri or Cherry Blossom Festival occurs in April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Visitors can enjoy picnicking under the trees while viewing traditional Japanese performances.
- The Machida International Food & Music Festival happens annually and features international cuisine from various countries around the world along with live music performances by local artists.
- The Machida Film Festival showcases independent films from Japan and around the world over several days in November at various venues throughout Machida City.
- At Katakura Silk Museum’s Kimono Fashion Show, visitors can see beautiful silk kimonos modeled on stage several times a year.
- Tsurukawa Hachimangu Shrine hosts an autumn festival near Machida City every year featuring traditional Japanese dances and music performances along with food stalls selling local delicacies like grilled skewers of meat or fish during this event seasonally available for visitors to enjoy!
- Ramen: Machida is known for its delicious ramen. Some popular ramen restaurants in the area include Menya Musashi, Tsuta Ramen, and Ichiran.
- Sushi: There are many sushi restaurants in Machida that serve fresh and delicious sushi. Some of the most popular ones include Sushiro, Kura Sushi, and Genki Sushi.
- Yakitori: Yakitori is a type of Japanese skewered chicken that is grilled over charcoal. Some popular yakitori restaurants in Machida include Torikizoku, Kushikatsu Daruma, and Yakiyama.
- Okonomiyaki: Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake made with cabbage, meat or seafood, and other ingredients like cheese or noodles. Some recommended okonomiyaki restaurants in Machida are Chibo Okonomiyaki and Konamon-ya.
- Izakaya: Izakaya is a type of Japanese pub where people can enjoy drinks and small dishes like grilled skewers (yakitori), sashimi (raw fish), tempura (fried food) etc.. There are many izakaya around the city such as Watami Izakaya & Dining Bar , Tofuro , Shoryuken Ramen & Izakaya etc..
- Machida Central Park is a large recreational area that offers a wide range of activities such as sports fields, playgrounds, and walking trails.
- Sagamihara Greenery Park is an attractive park with well-manicured gardens, serene ponds, and picturesque walking paths.
- Tadao Park is a small but charming park that features a playground and picnic area for families to enjoy.
- Machida Squirrel Garden provides an interactive experience where visitors can feed and interact with squirrels in their natural habitat.
- Tsurukawa Riverside Park is a scenic riverside park that offers beautiful views along with walking paths and picnic areas for relaxation.
- Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts showcases Japanese graphic design and illustration in its art exhibits.
- Machida Athletic Stadium serves as the venue for sporting events such as soccer games or track meets in the city.
- Machida Cultural Center provides classes in traditional Japanese arts like calligraphy, tea ceremony or flower arrangement to promote cultural education among visitors.
- Machida Shibahiro Sports Center has facilities for playing tennis, badminton or futsal to cater to sports enthusiasts’ needs in the community.
- Machida Forest Sports Plaza offers facilities for playing basketball or volleyball so visitors can engage in outdoor activities while enjoying nature’s beauty at the same time.
