Musashino, The Tōkyō Region, Kantō Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Musashino (武蔵野市, Musashino-shi) is a city located in the western portion of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. The total area of the city is 10.98 square km (4.24 sq mi). Based on the 2015 Kanto Ranking, Musashino was the fifth most desirable place to live in Central Japan.

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.

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.

Kichijōji includes the source of the Kanda River.

Surrounding municipalities Tokyo Metropolis • Suginami • Nerima • Mitaka • Koganei • Nishitōkyō.

History The area of present-day Musashino was part of ancient Musashi Province. 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. 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. Musashino was elevated to city status on November 3, 1947.

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. At one time Studio Ghibli was located in Kichijōji. Several other animation studios are located in Musashino, including J.C.Staff, 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.

Universities and colleges • Asia University • Seikei University • Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University • Japanese Red Cross College of Nursing.

Transport: Rail JR East – Chūō Line (Rapid) • Kichijōji - < Mitaka > - Musashi-Sakai

Keio Corporation - Keio Inokashira Line • Kichijōji

• Seibu Tamagawa Line • Musashi-Sakai

Transport: Road • Musashino is not served by any national highways or expressways

Local attractions • Inokashira Park • Musashino Central Park • Musashino Municipal Athletic Stadium • Musashino Sports Complex