Hachikokuyama

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Hachikokuyama (八国山) is a ridge and park in Higashimurayama, Tokyo and Tokorozawa, Saitama. Its name translates literally into English as "Eight Country Mountain" since in times past, one could view eight surrounding "countries" or regions from its top.

The park lies upon a low rising ridge rising about 15 to 20 meters above the surrounding plain. The highest elevation is about 100 meters above sea level. Measured from North to South, the park is from 100 to 300 meters, the park having an uneven size. From East to West the park is about 1.5 kilometers, or about half of the length of the Golden Gate Bridge. The trail that runs the length of the ridge top is about 2.0 Kilometers and branches into many secondary trails. The total size of the park of is about 39 hectares or about 96 acres.

[edit] Hachikokuyama in popular culture

It is famous for being an inspiration for parts of the cartoon My Neighbor Totoro. In Japanese it is known as a ryokuchi (緑地) instead of a park. Ryokuchi literally means "green land" and denotes land used more as a natural setting instead of a typical park.

[edit] Historical Significance

In the year 1333, Samurai general Nitta Yoshisada raised his army's banner on the ridge during his campaign against the Shogun's forces that ultimately ended the Kamakura shogunate. This location is commemorated by a stone marker at the park's northern end.