Noborito-shinmachi

In 1927, Noborito-shinmachi saw the arrival of two railway lines. These lines transformed the quiet area. The Odakyu Odawara Line and the Nanbu Line converged at Noborito Station. This made Noborito-shinmachi a key transportation hub. This event marked a significant shift in the area’s history. Noborito-shinmachi transitioned from a sleepy suburb to a more connected and dynamic place. During World War II, Noborito-shinmachi held a hidden secret. The Imperial Japanese Army established a secret research facility here. It was the Number Nine Research Laboratory, now known as the Noborito Institute. This institute played a crucial role in developing special weapons. These weapons included the Fu-Go balloon bomb, counterfeit currency, and other chemical and biological weapons. After the war, Noborito-shinmachi returned to its quieter pace. For many years, it was primarily known as a residential area. Many company employees lived here and commuted to nearby cities. Destinations included Kawasaki, Tachikawa, and Shinjuku. Today, several of the former institute’s buildings are now part of Meiji University. This adds an interesting layer to the history of Noborito-shinmachi. It bridges its wartime past with its present-day academic focus. Although Noborito-shinmachi itself may seem unassuming, its history is anything but. The postal code for Noborito-shinmachi is 214-0013. This seemingly simple number connects this neighborhood to its rich and complex past.