  is a city located in tokyo metropolis, japan. as of october 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 139,932 and a population density of 1,355.14 persons per kmÂ². the total area is 103.26 kmÂ². the city's name literally means green ume, or japanese apricot. the city was founded on april 1, 1951 by the combination three smaller villages. the name Åme was taken from the original town of Åme, which was famous for its japanese apricots. later in 1955, four additional villages joined with Åme to become what it is today. it has been connected directly to the central parts of tokyo (then edo) since 1603 via the Åme-kaidÅ. ==surrounding municipalities== *to the north: hanno, saitama *to the south: hinode, tokyo and akiruno, tokyo *to the southeast: hamura, tokyo *to the east: iruma, saitama *to the west: okutama, tokyo ==transportation== the jr east ome line provides rail service to the city. ten stations lie within the city limits. among these are kabe and Åme stations, both of which are terminals for some services on the line. ==education== the city operates public elementary and junior high schools. the tokyo metropolitan board of education operates the following public high schools. * norin high schoolhttp://www.norin-h.metro.tokyo.jp/ * ome sogo high schoolhttp://www.ome-sogo-h.metro.tokyo.jp/ * tama high schoolhttp://www.tama-h.metro.tokyo.jp/ ==references==  ==external links==  *   
Cities_in_Tokyo Western_Tokyo