Hirayama Castle Site Park (平山城址公園) is a park maintained by the Tōkyō Metropolitan Government in the northern Tama Hills, straddling Hachiōji City and Hino City, Tōkyō. Adjacent to the park is the Tōkyō University of Pharmacy and Human Sciences, the Keiō Training Centre (Keiō Museum of Archives), Keiō Grounds and other Keiō Electric Railway facilities.
There is a station called Hirayama Jōshi Kōen on the Keiō Line. Stations with the suffix "Jōshi" are rare, and as far as I know (although I'm not that familiar with railways), there is only one other station called Kogane Jōshi. So I've always wanted to visit one day. I explored Katakura Castle on the same day and concluded an exciting day visiting this historical park.
However, although it is called Jōshi Park, there has never been a clear-cut castle named Hirayama Castle. Originally, Hirayama Sueshige (平山季重), a general on the Genji side famous for his valour in numerous battles, including the Battle of Ichinotani, had his residence in the area around the present station. Sueshige was a member of the Musashi shichitō (武蔵七党), one of the seven samurai clans that ruled Musashi Province. The park's name is derived from a legend that Sueshige had a watchtower in the corner of the Tama Hills. There are no other castle remains in the park. This is also why the title of this page is 'Hirayama Castle Park' instead of 'Hirayama Castle'. Sueshige Shrine near the park entrance is dedicated to Hirayama Sueshige.
From the park information board
Jōshi Park is a 20-minute walk up the hillside past the residential area after exiting the station. The path is narrow, but you will not get lost if you follow the directions.
① Just before the park, you will find the Hirayama Sueshige Shrine (平山季重神), dedicated to Sueshige, who gave the park its name.
② And then arrive at the park. There is no dedicated parking, but there are spaces available for parking around the north-central entrance to the park.
Some of the facilities are exciting, but it is essentially a village park.
Date of visit: 3 January 2014
There is a station called Hirayama Jōshi Kōen on the Keiō Line. Stations with the suffix "Jōshi" are rare, and as far as I know (although I'm not that familiar with railways), there is only one other station called Kogane Jōshi. So I've always wanted to visit one day. I explored Katakura Castle on the same day and concluded an exciting day visiting this historical park.
However, although it is called Jōshi Park, there has never been a clear-cut castle named Hirayama Castle. Originally, Hirayama Sueshige (平山季重), a general on the Genji side famous for his valour in numerous battles, including the Battle of Ichinotani, had his residence in the area around the present station. Sueshige was a member of the Musashi shichitō (武蔵七党), one of the seven samurai clans that ruled Musashi Province. The park's name is derived from a legend that Sueshige had a watchtower in the corner of the Tama Hills. There are no other castle remains in the park. This is also why the title of this page is 'Hirayama Castle Park' instead of 'Hirayama Castle'. Sueshige Shrine near the park entrance is dedicated to Hirayama Sueshige.
From the park information board
Jōshi Park is a 20-minute walk up the hillside past the residential area after exiting the station. The path is narrow, but you will not get lost if you follow the directions.
① Just before the park, you will find the Hirayama Sueshige Shrine (平山季重神), dedicated to Sueshige, who gave the park its name.
② And then arrive at the park. There is no dedicated parking, but there are spaces available for parking around the north-central entrance to the park.
Some of the facilities are exciting, but it is essentially a village park.
Date of visit: 3 January 2014
Access:
- Address: 6-35-17 Hirayama, Hino, Tōkyō 191-0043
- Access: 20-min walk from Hirayama Jōshi Kōen Station on Keiō Line.
6 km from Hachiōji Interchange of Chūō Highway via Metropolitan Road 155. - Parking: Parking space (at point 'P' on the map above)
- Other sights: Katakura Castle