Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Lake Tama. I would like to introduce what Lake Tama is, how to get there, and what the scenery is like.
Lake Tama is an artificial lake located in Higashiyamato City, Tokyo. Officially named Murayama Reservoir, it is a dam lake that was completed in 1929 to provide a water source to accommodate Tokyo City’s growing population. Water from the Tama River is taken in at the Hamura Intake Weir and channeled through water pipes to the Murayama Reservoir for storage. It has been selected as one of the Top 100 Dam Lakes, Top 100 Modern Water Works, Civil Engineering Heritage Selection by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers, and one of the “Tokyo Waterworks Famous Sites” by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks as Murayama/Yamaguchi Reservoir (Lake Tama/Lake Sayama).
Lake Tama is divided into Murayamakami Reservoir on the west side (upstream side) and Murayamashita Reservoir on the east side (downstream side), which are further connected to the adjacent Yamaguchi Reservoir by a connecting pipe and operated as an integrated system. The embankment of Murayamakami Reservoir is part of Route 55. The Murayamashita Reservoir’s No.1 Water Intake Tower, which is characterized by its domed roof and tiled exterior walls accented with arched windows, has been selected as a Tokyo Metropolitan Historic Building. It is advertised as “Japan’s most beautiful water intake tower.” The east side of Murayamashita Reservoir is maintained as the Tokyo Metropolitan Sayama Natural Park, which is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring.
This time I set out on my beloved Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. The departure point is central Tokyo. First, take the Shuto Expressway Inner Loop Line/C1 and transfer from the Miyakezaka JCT to the Shuto Expressway No. 4 Shinjuku Line/Route 4. There is a fee for this section, but I used it to avoid traffic jams. Enter the Chuo Expressway from Shuto Expressway No. 4 Shinjuku Line/Route 4 and exit at Kunitachi-Fuchu IC. From here, take National Route 20 towards Hino Bypass.
Turn right at Kunitachi Sanchu (intersection) and enter Gakuen-dori. This road is home to Toho Gakuen and Hitotsubashi University, so you can often see many students. Turn left at Toho Gakuen Higashi (intersection) onto Daigaku-dori/Tokyo Route 146. This road is marked as a wide-area evacuation site/Hitotsubashi University campus. Turn right onto Asahi Dori/Miyako Road 145. Please note that some parts of this road may be closed depending on the time of day or day of the week.
Turn left at Wakabacho 2-chome (intersection) and enter Fuchu-michi. This road connects Fuchu City and Kokubunji City, and along the way you can see the cliffs of the Kokubunji Cliff Line. Turn right onto Itsuka-kaido Road/Old Itsuka-kaido Road/Tokyo Route 7. Turn left at the Wakabacho housing complex entrance (intersection) and enter Wakaba Higashi Dori. This road is a road in a residential area where the Wakaba-cho housing complex and Juni Elementary School are located. Proceed down Juni Kodori Street and enter Keyaki Street.
Go straight at Shimizu 5-chome (intersection) and continue on to Yamamomo Street. This road was named because the bayberry tree, which is the city flower of Higashiyamato City, is planted there. Go straight through Musashi Yamato Station West (intersection) and enter Tamako Street. This road is the main route to Lake Tama and includes tourist spots such as Seibuen and Seibu Dome.
We arrived at Lake Tama. Lake Tama is not only a water source, but also a popular spot for leisure and walking. The circumference of Lake Tama is approximately 8.5 km, and you can go around it by bicycle or walking. There is a dedicated road called the Tamako Bicycle and Pedestrian Path, which not only allows bicycles and pedestrians to enjoy, but also roller skates and skateboards.
There is an amusement park called Seibuen on the north side of Lake Tama. Seibuen is a historic amusement park that opened in 1933, and has attractions such as roller coasters and a Ferris wheel, as well as facilities such as a pool and skating rink. Various events are held at Seibuen every season, and you can enjoy fireworks displays and illuminations.
There is a baseball field called Seibu Dome on the south side of Lake Tama. Seibu Dome is the home of the professional baseball team Saitama Seibu Lions and is Japan’s first fully domed stadium. Seibu Dome not only holds baseball games, but also concerts and exhibitions.
At Lake Tama, you can feel the nature of the water. Waterfowl such as ducks and spot-billed ducks inhabit Lake Tama, and swans and whooper swans also visit in winter. Waterfowl viewing events and photography classes are also held at Lake Tama. You can also enjoy fishing at Lake Tama. Lake Tama is home to fish such as black bass and bluegill, and there are also fishing ponds and fishing boats.
There are several motorcycle parking lots around Lake Tama. Some of them are introduced below.
Tama Lake Parking Lot: There is a parking lot where you can park your motorcycle along the way to Tama Lake.
Seibuen Station Motorcycle Parking Lot: This is a motorcycle parking lot in front of Seibuen Station. Available 24 hours.
Seibu Dome Station Motorcycle Parking Lot: This is a motorcycle parking lot in front of Seibu Dome Station. It is free and available 24 hours a day.
Summary
This time I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Lake Tama. Lake Tama is not only a water source, but also a popular spot for leisure and walking. Specialty products such as local agricultural products and processed products are sold around Lake Tama. There are also several motorcycle parking lots around Lake Tama. Lake Tama is close to Tokyo and easy to access, so it’s a recommended spot for touring by motorcycle. Please come and visit us at least once.
