Fuchu – Best Hidden Secrets
-Journey via 12 Silhouette Cards-
Course BMusashi Kokufu Ato Route
(located just next to the big tori gate outside of Ookunitama-jinja Shrine).
Musashi Kokufu Ato
"Kokufu" are the capitals of the over 60 different capital cities set up from the early Nara to mid-Heian Periods (approx 8th to 10th century) to centralize political administration. Fuchu City is the location of the Kokufu capital of the old Musashi Province, the land that sits on present-day Tokyo, Saitama, and parts of Kanagawa Prefecture. Next to the signboard stand a number of different vermillion pillars, which are used as markers to show the original location of the building pillars located during the excavation.
- Name in Japanese
- 武蔵国府跡
- Postal Code
- 183-0023
- Address
- 2-5-3 Miyamachi, Fuchu City, Tokyo
- Admission
- Free
- Closed
- New Years Holidays
- Open Hours
- 9:00am-5:00pm
- Access
- (1) 7 min. walk from Fuchu Station on the Keio Line
(2) 7 min. walk from Fuchu-hommachi Station on the JR Musashino & Nambu Lines.
Fumon-ji Temple
The Yakushi Nyorai Buddha is enshrined at this temple, which was rebuilt from the ruins of a temple once destroyed by war in 1537. It's believed to ward off plague and sickness, while also protecting against disasters. Fumonji is called the "Me no Yakushisama", as its known for healing sicknesses of the "me", or "eyes". There is also an event held on Sept. 12th of every year, where guests eat an "ome-dama" (2 white dango treats that resemble eyes) as a way to ward off any sickness of the eyes.
- Name in Japanese
- 普門寺
- Postal Code
- 183-0023
- Address
- 3-17-1 Miyamachi, Fuchu City, Tokyo
- Admission
- Free
- Access
- 3 min walk from Fuchu-Keiba-Seimon-Mae Station on the Keio Keibajo Line.
Kokufu Hachimangu Shrine
Kokufu Hachimangu is a shrine that was originally built to serve as a guardian deity for the Kokufu. Even its construction is such that the main hall faces west, in the direction of the Kokufu. The grounds are enclosed by a dense thicket of cedar and other trees, giving it a serene and mysterious air.
- Name in Japanese
- 国府八幡宮
- Postal Code
- 183-0016
- Address
- 2-33 Yawatamachi, Fuchu City, Tokyo
- Admission
- Free
- Access
- 6 min walk from Fuchu-Keiba-Seimon-Mae Station on the Keio Keibajo Line.
Ikiki-no-Michi
Ikiki-no-Michi is a path on a terraced cliff that was carved into the banks of Tama River. It's often called "Hake" for short. In the past, lumberwood cut from forests at the river's headwaters were sent down the river to Tokyo Bay, a route that raftsmen would nickname "Ikiki-Shita-Michi". It stands today as a reminder of an old way of life from a bygone era.
- Name in Japanese
- いききの道
- Postal Code
- 183-0011
- Address
- 6-42~ Shiroitaodai, Fuchu City, Tokyo
- Access
- 5 min walk from Higashi-Fuchu Station on the Keio Line.
Taki-Jinja Shrine
Taki-Jinja Shrine, literally "waterfall shrine" earned its name originally for the waterfall located just off to its east, where pure, clear waters seemed to never dry up. In the past, it was used by racehorses and their jockeys to purify their bodies before heading off to the horse races for the Kurayami "Darkness" Festival (May 3rd). With so many ties to horse racing, there are even autographs of famous horse jockeys placed inside as prayer offerings.
- Name in Japanese
- 瀧神社
- Postal Code
- 183-0015
- Address
- 2-37-1 Shimizugaoka, Fuchu City, Tokyo
- Admission
- Free
- Access
- 7 min walk from Higashi-Fuchu Station on the Keio Line.
The Main Gate of Tougouji Temple
This Nichiren Sect Temple was founded by renowned navy Admiral, Tougou Heihachirou. It's home to a massive, commanding gate at its front that is said to have inspired the gate in "Rashomon" the Akira Kurosawa film that received worldwide acclaim in the Venice Film Festival and similar events.
※You can only visit up to the main gate. Guests are asked to conduct themselves in a mannerly way and not to disturb the temple.
- Name in Japanese
- 東郷寺 山門
- Postal Code
- 183-0015
- Address
- 3-40-10 Shimizugaoka, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo
- Telephone
- 042-361-2263
- Open Hours
- 9:30am - 4:00pm
- Access
- 7 min walk from Tama-Reien Station on the Keio Line.