【Summer Retreats in the City】Hachioji Dream Art Museum & Easy Walks to Cool Off at Hachioji Urban Summer Retreat

This year's heatwave seems likely to last a while. For busy people, going to a faraway summer retreat can be quite difficult. So, I visited a nearby museum that is quiet and has a cool atmosphere. Additionally, I experienced the "Hachioji Urban Summer Retreat" initiated by the city of Hachioji.

Searching for a summer retreat in Hachioji

To find a summer retreat in Tokyo, I went to Hachioji City on a midsummer day with a temperature of 34°C. In the city, many people were crowded into the safety of the shade, appearing to be unconsciously walking the same path.

First, I headed to the seemingly cool Hachioji City Dream Art Museum

When I searched for nearby art museums, Hachioji City Dream Art Museum came up. During my visit, there was an exhibition of works depicting "Night on the Galactic Railroad" by the manga artist Hiroshi Masumura.

Inside the museum, there were many displays themed around "Night on the Galactic Railroad" with cats as the main characters, creating a space full of fantasy. While gazing at the artworks, I was able to immerse myself in the story, and the heat that had accumulated in my body while walking around the city had somehow dissipated. The written expressions were beautifully materialized as manga, making me lose track of time as I became engrossed.

The Oasis of the City? Hachiōji Urban Cool Spot and Rest Stop

As I walked along the road radiating from the station, I discovered a sign for a rest area. This facility is called "Hachiōji Urban Rest Area" and is operated by the city. It features a free rest space with Wi-Fi and offers drinks for sale. On this day as well, many people were sitting down and taking breaks with their smartphones in hand.

In Hachiōji, not only rest areas but also cool public facilities and commercial establishments called the "Hachiōji Urban Cool Spot" are being opened as evacuation sites. These facilities provide free rest spaces, allowing people to escape the heat even if they are not shopping.

There is also a mist shower at the station front

When I went to Hachiōji Station, I was surprised to find a mist shower that seemed to only exist at festivals or tourist spots. It might have been because I don’t often go out into the city, but it’s clear that the whole town is putting effort into heat countermeasures.

After going around a bit, I took a break at a convenience store. Drinking iced coffee in the safety zone in front of the convenience store is the best. Surprisingly, I found cool spots in the city that I had avoided due to the heat, which was a great discovery.

It seems that outside of Hachioji, various municipalities and many people are collaborating to create rest areas, so why not look for your favorite summer retreat nearby?

Reporting and text by Kazuma Tanaka

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