Musashino, Tokyo Explained

Musashino
Native Name Lang:ja
Settlement Type:City
Pushpin Map:Japan
Pushpin Map Caption: 
Coordinates:35.7177°N 139.5661°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Japan
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Kantō
Subdivision Type2:Prefecture
Subdivision Name2:Tokyo
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Yasuhiro Omino (小美濃安弘) (from December 2023)
Area Total Km2:10.98
Population Total:147,754
Population As Of:February 2024
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:Japan Standard Time
Utc Offset1:+9
Blank Name Sec1:Symbols
Blank Info Sec1: 
Blank1 Name Sec1:• Tree
Blank1 Info Sec1:Magnolia kobus, Zelkova serrata, Cornus florida
Blank2 Name Sec1:• Flower
Blank2 Info Sec1:Lespedeza, Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum, Orychophragmus, Azalea, Daphne odora, Narcissus, Hibiscus mutabilis, Ipomoea nil, Chrysanthemum
Blank Name Sec2:Phone number
Blank Info Sec2:0422-51-5131
Blank1 Name Sec2:Address
Blank1 Info Sec2:2-2-28 Midori-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8777

is a city located in the western portion of the Tokyo Metropolis, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 147,754 in 78,614 households, and a population density of 13,000 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 10.98sqkm.[1] Based on the 2019 survey by SUUMO, the Kichijoji neighborhood of Musashino was the third most desirable place to live in central Japan.[2]

Popular attractions in Musashino include Kichijōji; a residential and shopping neighborhood with malls such as Atre Kichijoji, recreational areas such as Inokashira Park, Musashino Chuo Park, Musashino Municipal Athletic Stadium and Musashino Sports Complex.

Geography

Musashino is located in the Musashino Terrace of central Tokyo Metropolis. It is bordered by the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo.[3] [4]

Musashino is composed of the following neighborhoods: Kichijoji Kitamachi, Kichijoji Higashi Cho, Kichijoji Honcho, Kichijoji Minamicho, Kyonan Cho, Gotenyama, Sakai, Sakurazuki, Sekimae, Nakacho, Nishikubo, Midoricho, and Yahata Cho.[5]

Kichijōji includes the source of the Kanda River.[6]

Surrounding municipalities

Climate

Musashino has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Musashino is 14.5 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1647 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.0 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.1 °C.[7]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[8] the population of Musashino increased rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s, but has remained relatively constant over the past 50 years.

History

The area of present-day Musashino was part of ancient Musashi Province.[9] In the post-Meiji Restoration cadastral reform of July 22, 1878, the area became part of Kitatama District in Kanagawa Prefecture. The village of Musashino was created on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of modern municipalities law. Kitatama District was transferred to the administrative control of Tokyo Metropolis on April 1, 1893.[10] Musashino was elevated to town status in 1928. Nakajima Aircraft Company had an aircraft engine plant in Musashino, which became a target for American bombers in World War II.[11] Musashino was elevated to city status on November 3, 1947.[12]

Government

Musashino has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 26 members. Musashino contributes one member to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Tokyo 18th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Musashino is largely a commuter town for central Tokyo.

The anime and manga company Coamix has its headquarters in the Kichijōji neighborhood of Musashino.[13] At one time Studio Ghibli was located in Kichijōji.[14] Several other animation studios are located in Musashino, including J.C.Staff,[15] Artland, Studio Ponoc, Production I.G, Bee Train, and Tatsunoko Production.

The electrical engineering and software company Yokogawa Electric has its headquarters in Nakacho, Musashino. Tokyo Musashino City FC, a football (soccer) club, is also located there.

Education

Universities and colleges

Primary and secondary schools

Metropolitan secondary and high schools:

Municipal junior high schools:[16]

Municipal elementary schools:[16]

Private schools:

International schools

Transportation

Railways

JR EastChūō Line (Rapid)

40px Keio Corporation - Keio Inokashira Line

- Seibu Tamagawa Line

Highways

Local attractions

Sister cities

Musashino in popular culture

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Musashino city official statistics. Japan. ja.
  2. Web site: 2019-03-07 . Yokohama ranks as most desirable city for living in Kanto for 2nd year in a row . 2023-07-17 . Japan Today . en.
  3. Web site: 64 Things to Do in Musashino: Points of Interest + Activities. 2021-01-08. Inspirock. en.
  4. Web site: Adriana. 2019-05-22. Kichijoji – Tokyo's hottest suburban area. 2021-01-08. REthink Tokyo - Real Estate Information for Buyers and Investors. en.
  5. http://www.mapion.co.jp/address/13203/ Mapion
  6. Web site: Hanami at Inokashira park MustLoveJapan Video Travel Guide. 2021-01-08. www.mustlovejapan.com.
  7. https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/tokyo/musashino-4747/ Musashino climate data
  8. https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-tokyo.php Musashino population statistics
  9. Web site: 22 May 2020. Kokubunji, Musashino, the belly button of Tokyo. 2021-01-08. www.mactionplanet.com.
  10. Web site: Writers. YABAI. The Tourist's Complete Guide to Exploring the City of Kokubunji YABAI - The Modern, Vibrant Face of Japan. 2021-01-08. YABAI.
  11. Web site: 3 December 2020. THIRD B-29 RAID ON JAPANESE CAPITAL TOKYO. 2021-01-08. ww2days.com.
  12. Web site: 2017 Musashino City Overview. 2021-01-08. www.city.musashino.lg.jp.
  13. "事業概要." "【住所】 [出版コンテンツ事業部(編集部)・キャラクター事業部・総務部] 〒180-0004 東京都武蔵野市吉祥寺本町 2-4-14 メディ・コープビル8 3F TEL/0422-29-0414(代表) FAX/0422-29-0413"
  14. "The Animerica Interview: Takahata and Nosaka: Two Grave Voices in Animation." Animerica. Volume 2, No. 11. Page 11. Translated by Animerica from: Takahata, Isao. Eiga o Tsukurinagara, Kangaeta Koto ("Things I Thought While Making Movies") Tokuma Shoten, 1991. Originally published in Animage, June 1987. This is a translation of a 1987 conversation between Takahata and Akiyuki Nosaka. "Kichijoji is the Tokyo area where "Studio Ghibli," frequent Takahata collaborator Hayao Miyazaki's studio, is located.[...]—Ed."
  15. "http://www.jcstaff.co.jp/"
  16. Web site: 武蔵野市立学校学区表. Musashino. 2022-11-13.
  17. "Spring School Program 2011 Application Form " (Archive). Little Angels International School. Retrieved on March 9, 2015. "Little Angels International School 4-9-15, Honcho, Kichijoji, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-0004 (〒180-0004 東京都武蔵野市吉祥寺本町4-9-15)"