Mitaka City is located at the easternmost edge of the Tama area in Tokyo, Japan. It is a city that combines urban functionality with a rich natural environment. The shape of the city resembles a soaring eagle with its wings spread.
The name "Mitaka" is said to originate from the falconry practices of the Tokugawa shogunate and the three Tokugawa branch families in the area. The land was once made up of villages associated with three falconry grounds belonging to the Setagaya, Fuchu, and Nogata domains—hence the name "Mitaka" (literally, "three falcons"). However, since the former Mitaka Village Office was destroyed in a fire, the historical records were lost, and the exact origin is no longer verifiable.
Mitaka is known for its rich cultural heritage and progressive policies. It once attracted several literary giants such as Saneatsu Mushanokoji, Yuzo Yamamoto, and Osamu Dazai, giving the city a deeply cultural atmosphere. Administratively, Mitaka has also been forward-thinking—it was the first city in Japan to open an infant daycare facility in 1956 and among the earliest to fully implement a public sewer system in 1973.
In recent years, Mitaka has gained recognition for its citizen-participatory and public-private collaboration initiatives, including the "Mitaka Civic Plan 21 Conference," "Mitaka: The City of Tomorrow," and "Mitaka Network University." These efforts led to the city being ranked Japan's top "Smart City" in 2005, demonstrating its visionary governance.
Mitaka is also a lush green city filled with parks and cultural landmarks. The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan in Mitaka is a major center for astronomical research. Inokashira Park, which spans both Mitaka and Musashino cities, is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. Nogawa Park extends into Koganei and Chofu cities and serves as a key recreational area for residents.
For cultural tourism, the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, opened in 2001 and is a must-visit for fans of Hayao Miyazaki. Other cultural sites include the Yuzo Yamamoto Memorial Museum and the Osamu Dazai Literary Salon. Historical sites include Zenrin-ji Temple in the south, where the graves of Osamu Dazai and Mori Ogai lie, and Ryogen-ji Temple in the southwest, which is home to the grave of Kondo Isami, a notable leader of the Shinsengumi.
