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The City of Hino |
| We study English using computers at Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Techenology every weekend. It is located in the city of Hino. Perhaps you have already heard of our city from the Hino trucks that are manufactured here. Now we would like to show you some scenes from around Hino. You can get here in about 50 minutes by train from central Tokyo. Over 160,000 people live in Hino, and we have lots of woods along the Tama River, which flows through the city. Let's take a look at out city. |
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<Takahata Fudo> - One of the most famous shrines in Tokyo We have many places for sightseeing in Hino. Takahata Fudo is the one of three most famous Fudo (shrines) around Tokyo. The citizens of Tokyo have votedto decide the top sight of Tokyo the last few years, and Takahata Fudo has always won. We go to visit Takahada Fudo on New Years' Day or Setsubun, the day before the beginning of Spring by the lunar calendar. We can enjoy at a morning market there every Sunday morning. |
< Harvesting Pears>-Nashi-gari In fall, we can pick many kinds of fruit in many orchards in Japan. If we pay a fee, we can pick 5 kilos or so, depending on the orchard, plus all one can eat there. This is a pear orchard in Hino city. There are many orchards near the Tama river. Nashi-gari is loved by residents around Hino. |
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<City Hall>- What a gorgeous building it is! Hino City Hall is a gorgeous building which looks like a hotel. It is covered with brick tiles. It was built as part of a reconstruction competition of public facilities among the cities in Japan. We can enjoy many events there - classical music or jazz concerts, plays, or Rakugo (Japanese traditional storytelling). |
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<Tama zoo> - The first natural zoo in Japan We have a natural zoo in Hino. It was opened about 40 years ago. It was the first natural zoo in Japan. It is located at the bottom of a hill and also goes up the side. Of course we can see many animals there:, bears, monkeys, giraffes, birds, elephants, koalas (a gift from Australia), and so on. Many people bring their kids to the zoo on weekends, so it gets a little crowded. However, you can see the animals slowly and for as long as you want on weekdays. |
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