With the Tama region's excellent drainage well-suited for mulberry plantations, three major textile-producing districts have emerged here since the Edo period at Hachioji, Ome and Musashimurayama respectively. Once flourishing as by-industry communities that supported local agriculture, these later saw a development from cottage-based industries to factory-based industries with the establishment of electric power lines and the subsequent introduction of automatic looms.
Since then, the textile industry has been in decline and the machine industry has expanded through the opening up of vacant sites. The relocation of the Nakajima Aircraft Company, in particular, has greatly contributed to the area's development, with large factories having opened in the once-undeveloped Musashino and Mitaka districts and some 40,000 people now employed. Major leading companies have also been relocating plants and facilities to the area in rapid succession. Although during the growth period it was product development companies and universities that had expanded westward from the capital, there were not necessarily many industry-university and inter-business alliances in search of novel technologies and product developments.
Currently, there have been a number of vibrant and influential companies that have been establishing themselves in strong positions within the Tama region. These companies have been keeping pace with the production and development of their industry leaders while building up alliances through related organizations and have amassed a high level of technology and experience in order to hone in on their particular strengths. Having first been developed as a textile industry, the Tama region is now showing signs of success in the large number of small and medium-sized enterprises it has possessing a technological competitive edge and is eagerly awaiting the opportunity for another rapid breakthrough while remaining grounded in the foundations of monozukuri.
The Tama Railway linking the cities of Musashino and Fuchu in Tokyo Prefecture has undergone several name changes, from Tama Line, Koremasa Line and Musashisakai Line in the past to its present Tamagawa Line. These have been a result of management and mergers by its parent organizations and each name gives testimony to just how the Tama region has advanced while being systematically subjected to the winds of the times.
The Tama Railway, built in August 1910, was originally a transport route for moving river gravel collected from the bed of the Tamagawa, or Tama River. There had previously been a service line linking the factory complex of the Nakajima Aircraft Company as well; it was also used as a freight transportation line for factories operating along its route.
The Tama Railway is a railroad that has contributed immensely to the industrial development of the Tama region. In recent years, it has expanded north, south, east and west under Seibu Railway and plays an important role as a part of the social infrastructure of the increasing residential developments along its tracks.
The name “Tamagawa” appears in the 8th century Manyoshu anthology using the characters 多摩, a spelling thought to have originated in the Nara Period. Even in Tokyo, many people are unsure as to which spelling is the correct one. Various theories exist, but in relation to the spelling of “Tamagawa,” it seems that 多摩 refers to the river, whereas 玉 means the land itself. In terms of the Tamagawa Waterworks, a 43km long irrigation channel spanning Tokyo’s Hamura City to Yotsuya, Shinjuku that was excavated some 350 years ago, 多摩 refers to the river as a source of water, while 玉 is related to the land itself in which the channel is situated. This remains unchanged today, as Tamagawa spelled 多摩川 is the name of the river, while 玉川 signifies a part of the Setagaya district of Tokyo that borders the river. It is said that in the Edo period both spelling were used, until 玉 took hold due to its association with the beautiful rounded stones that could be found in the area. These accounts truly express the rich history present in Tama, and the affection that people hold for the region.
The possible characters used to write “Tamagawa” are many and varied, and have changed over the ages. Let's look at one of those characters in particular, the character for “hemp.” The Tama river basin was since ancient times an area of hemp cultivation, and the two presently used characters, with the literal meanings of “much” (ta) and “rub, scrape, chafe” (ma), are said to refer to the act of handling hemp. It could refer, too, to the weaving of hempen cloth in the town of Chofu (which is, to this day, located near the Tamagawa River). The character for “hemp” is, like the character for “much,” also pronounced “ma.” Therefore, if written using the characters for “much” and “hemp” it retains the same pronunciation, but indicates that hemp was plentiful near Chofu, where hempen cloth was woven, or “much handled.”
Saitama Prefecture, which is adjacent to the Tama region, is generally believed to have once been known as “Sakitama” due to its location beyond (saki) Tama. It is difficult to confirm the truth of the matter, but this account of the name's relation to the Tama region is quite plausible. In any case, the possibility that Tama was used as a central area to determine the name of a neighboring region illustrates Tama's significance.
The Tama region refers to the area known as Musashi Kokubunji Tama-gun during the Heian period. In current terms, it includes the westernmost of Tokyo's 23 districts, along with a portion of Kanagawa Prefecture. It originally belonged to the Kanagawa Prefecture's Tamamura, but was included as part of Tokyo city in 1893. Most of the region was an imperial fief during the Edo period, and thus had rice tax reduced or exempted, leading to a lack of urban planning and local industries. From the Meiji period, the area was said to be slow in development. Real development of the area began in the 1950's, when the area centered around the Chuo line from Mitaka to Hachioji grew into a residential suburb of Tokyo.
Tama is known for its rich natural environment, but the most distinguishing feature is surely the 599 meter tall Takao Mountain, which is home to over 1600 forms of plant life. Many people visit the mountain all year round to enjoy its beautiful displays of nature and impressive hiking routes. The view from the summit is breathtaking, and the area can truly be called one of Tokyo's most memorable. Takao Mountain is also the easternmost point of the Tokai Natural Paths, and was designated in 1950 as “Metropolitan Takao Natural Park,” and in 1967 as “Meiji Forest Takao National Park.” In terms of the number of visitors to the mountain, it is truly unrivaled around the world.
Address: Hachioji City, Takaomachi
Access: From the North Exit of JR Takao Station, take any Tama Bus bound for either "Takao no Mori Wakuwaku Village", "Okubo", or "Jimba Kogen Shita". Get off the bus at the "Reienmae" stop. The site is around a 15 minute walk from the bus stop.
Hachioji Castle, constructed by Hojo Ujiteru and located near Mt. Takao, is definitely worth your visit. Hojo governed the entire Kanto Region from Odawara Castle. However, Hideyoshi Toyotomi's took total control of region and Hachioji Castle came under attack by forces led by Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu and fell in only one day. During the day, you can experience the remnants of the castle since features such as a bridge across a moat and the entrance to the lord's palace were rebuilt. The top of the mountain offers views of the entire southern Kanto Region.
Address: 3-2715-2 Motohachiojimachi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Access: From JR Takao Station north exit, Tama Bus for Takao Forest Waku Waku Village, Okubo, Jimbakogen Shita. Exit the bus at Reienmae stop, 15-minute walk.
Despite the size of the Tama River, following it upstream leads into a tranquil forest, where smaller springs can be found. The modern convenience of running tap water stems from the soft earth of the forest. A number of forests that act as water sources are present in the Tama region, creating the image of a region nurtured by abundant water.
The area contains three of the water sources listing among Japan's 100 Water Sources. Among these is the Okutamacho Water Source Glade, in which the Hundred Fathom Waterfall can be found. This water source maintains its water level even in seasons of no rain, proving its importance in water source preservation. Taking a day off relaxing in the forest or gazing at the waterfall from the Kawanori Mountain hiking course, the area has a deep significance in that it allows visitors to reaffirm the significance of the water and forests. The area includes the Metropolitan Natural Monument of the Nippara Limestone Caves, river fishing, camping, hot springs, and other sightseeing spots.
Location: Tokyo, Nishi Tama-gun, Okutamacho Korigawa
Access:
Train: JR Ome Line, exit train at Okutama Station, transfer to bus for Nippara or Nippara Limestone Caverns and exit at Kawanoribashi. 1hr. 30 min. walk to the Hundred Fathom Waterfall.
One of the most renown among the products cultivated by Tama's rich water is wasabi. With rivers such as Okutama's well known Akigawa Ravine, the region is replete with rivers ideal for wasabi. Naturally wasabi is delicious as a seasoning, and the local wasabi rice is a delicacy that must be tasted. Shitake, shimeji, warabi, fuki, jelly, and fish that depend on clear water such as the yamane and iwana all flourish here. As Tama has long produced wheat, many restaurants use the region's hand-pressed udon noodles. Some stores even sell venison curry, which has gained popularity eaten together with wasabi rice in a take-home pack.
Tama has been cultivated by rich water sources within nature, and the saying that water is the life of beverages holds special meaning here. When you see alcoholic beverages in stores, visualize the region in which they are made. Surely a fine source of water can be found nearby.
• Ome “Sawanoi”
Get intoxicated on the sheer spirit of this five-step-mash sak? from a brewery in the mountains of West Tama.
• Fussa “Tamajiman”
A deliciously rounded sak? brewed at the mouth where the Tamagawa and Akigawa rivers combine.
• Fussa “Karaku”
A visionary local sak? made at a sluice on the Tamagawa Josui's Hamura inlet.
• Akiruno “Kisho”
Boutique brew painstakingly created by the labors of a master brewer from the Akigawa Gorge.
• Akiruno “Chiyozuru”
A sophisticated sak? to inspire the image of crane feathers elegantly piled on high in celebration of eternal spring
• Ome “Ohtama”
Embraced in the scenic beauty of Ome's famed plum-blossom gardens at the site of the old traveler's lodge from days of yore…
• Hachioji “Kuwanomiyako”
Distilled in Hachioji, Japan's woven goods “mulberry metropolis,” using the sacred waters of Mount Takao.
• Hachioji “Hinodeyama”
Two centuries nurtured among mountains and steams along the Mount Jimba Trail in Hachioji, known in a popular children's song for its beautiful sunset glow.
•Higashimurayama “Kinkonmasamune”
Depicted in the Toshimaya liquor shop found in Utagawa Hiroshige's Edo Meisho Zue (Guide to Famous Edo Sites), this refreshing sake is made from water found 150 meters below the ground.
• Fuchu “Kozuru”
This local sake is particularly known as the sacred sake for the gods used at Okunitama Shrine.
[Other featured products and souvenirs from the Tama Region]
•Konjak jelly
Stretched konjak jelly noshikon is a delicacy of Mitake, and sold by the Noshikon Honpo store.
•Manju (steamed buns)
A famous food from Yoshino Baigo. The Eiji Yoshiharu Store, Baigo location makes red plum manju.
•Wasabi products
The addition of wasabi to various foods is a tradition in Okutama. Yamashiroya is one of the most well-known makers.
•Senbei, wagashi
In business for some 70 years, the Okutama Matsuzakaya and other long-standing locations make these crackers. Senbei and wagashi are the most well known.
•Hand-pressed soba
The noodle shop Sumiya, having been established in the Edo period, makes raw and dried noodles.
•Maple senbei
Yakuoin's favorite rice cracker. A famous product of the Takao area that has been made by Yukido Honten since the Meiji period.
