Sagamihara

Understand

There are about 700,000 people in the city. The city grew in size in 2006 with the merger of two adjacent towns, Tsukui and Sagamiko. Some notable areas of the city are Hashimoto (east), Fujino (north), and Sagami Ono (south).

Tourist information site The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

Getting there

Visitors reach Sagamihara on the JR Yokohama Line at Kobuchi, Fuchinobe, Yabe, or Sagamihara stations.

Getting around

There are multiple highways and expressways in the area.

See

1 Fuchinobe Park (淵野辺公園). Contains an indoor pool called the Ginga Arena. The pool is divided into a shallow area and a deeper area. In wintertime the pool becomes a skating rink. The park is also home to the Sagamihara Stadium, in which pro baseball and high school basketball games are played. 2 Kanuma Park (鹿沼公園). Contains a duck pond also frequented by swans. The park also contains a mock road where children can learn the rules of the road while riding their bicycles or go-carts. The park is a popular spot for picnicking during the cherry blossom season in early April; flower aficionados will also enjoy the park's hydrangea bushes during the rainy season. Myōgen-Temple (妙現寺), Yabe 2-14-20 (Yabe), ☏ +81 42-752-3543. 11 minute walk from the station. This temple was built in 1598. 3 Sagami Lake (相模湖 Sagami-ko). A popular spot to see summer fireworks.

4 Sagamihara North Park (相模原北公園 Sagamihara Kitakōen), 2368-1 Shimokuzawa. Displays flowers during all four seasons. Takatabashi Bridge (高田橋). Sagamihara River is clean and safe enough to play in, and is a popular spot for riverside barbecuing. Some local events are held there, such as the carp-shaped streamer/flag/windsock festival in May. These fish-shaped windsocks are made from cloth. At the height of the festival, and estimated 1,200 carp windsocks swim in the sky above Sagamihara. 5 Tanamukaihara Ruins (田名向原遺跡 Tanamukaiharai-seki), Tanashioda 3-23, Chuo Ward. Daily 08:30-18:00. Dates back 20,000 years. These are the oldest ruins in Japan. There is an historical museum nearby where you can learn about the area's history and culture. An old residence has been restored in the outdoor exhibition. 6 Tsukui Lake (津久井湖 Tsukui-ko), Tsukuityo. Contains a large lake in which fishing is permitted. There are flower markets, an observatory, and a mountain named Shiroyama (城山). Mount Shiroyama is easily climbed because it's only 375 meters high. In early April, this is a popular spot for cherry blossom festivals and picnics.

Do

1 CHAMP SAP, SAP Sagamihara 2F, 7-10-18 Sagamihara, Chuo Ward, ☏ +81 42-786-6370. F-Sa 10:00-02:00, Su-Th & holidays 10:00-16:00. You can play darts and karaoke here. If you don't want to move to there from another place, you can have a party also. You can have dinner there. ¥2500.

Eat

1 Kuimonoya Wan Sagamionoten (くいもの屋わん 相模大野店), Sagamiono 3-12-15, Minami Ward, ☏ +81 505-484-4807. ¥3,000-3,500.

Drink & nightlife

1 Amusement Bar Gaps, Sagamihara 2-10-1, ☏ +81 42-810-0567. M-Sa 18:00-05:00. ¥3,000. 2 BUZZ, Daiichi Okawa Building 1F, 4-1-7 Sagamihara, Chuo Ward, ☏ +81 42-852-3698. Su-Th 17:30-03:00, F-Sa 17:30-05:00. Known for its cheese fondue, this restaurant stocks 20 kinds of imported beer and has a big screen for watching sports. ¥2,500-5,000. 3 Lovers ROCK Sagamiharaten (完全個室イタリアン Lovers ROCK相模原店), Iwamoto Building B1F, Chuo Ward, Sagamihara 1-3-8, ☏ +81 42-750-5080. M-Sa 18:00-5:00, Su 18:00-midnight. The bar attendant will show you the performance. ¥3,000-5,000. 4 Shoya (庄や), Fuchinobe 4-15-23, Chuo Ward, ☏ +81 42-750-6862. A branch of an izakaya chain.

Sleep

1 Hotel Crown Hills Sagamihara (ホテルクラウンヒルズ相模原), Sagamihara 4-1-2, Chuo Ward (5-minute walk from Sagamihara Station), ☏ +81 42-769-1100.

Go next

Yamakita Kiyotaka Aikawa Atsugi Zama Yamato Machida Ayase