Visit Chiba Japan

24/12/2024

🚴‍♂️ Explore the countryside outside Tokyo by bicycle with BOSO Adventure Tours

Although northwestern Chiba shares a border with Tokyo, the southern end of the prefecture sits a world apart from the capital’s metropolitan sprawl. With Tokyo Bay on one side, and the wide expanse of the Pacific on the other, it is here in the hills of the Boso Peninsula where visitors can experience the charms of the Japanese countryside, just a short trip from Tokyo.

If you are looking to get off the beaten path during your next Tokyo trip, Boso Adventure Tours is here to help. Kenji Setogawa, founder of Boso Adventure Tours, sets out to make the Boso area accessible to visitors from all over the world. While cycling is their specialty, the tours on offer here involve a variety of experiences, including: hiking, farm-to-table dining experiences, cultural tours, and interactions with local craftspeople.

To learn more, please check out:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/boso-adventure-tours/

23/12/2024

It's almost strawberry picking season in Sawara 🍓 Come try Chiba's delicious strawberry varieties in the new year!

10/12/2024

✨ Have a happy winter holiday at Country Farm Tokyo German Village! ❄️

It’s time once again for the annual winter illuminations light display here at Country Farm Tokyo German Village. This German-inspired family theme park found here in Chiba transforms to a wonderland every winter, and this year the stunning show will last until April 6! You can spend a whole evening here strolling through the colorfully lit hillsides, but our top recommendation is to take a ride on the park’s Ferris wheel to see all the lights at once from high above!

To learn more about how to enjoy Country Farm Tokyo German Village any time of year, please check out: https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/tokyo-german-village/

*Photo from a past year

07/12/2024

Today’s Hike at Mt. Nokogiri

Thank you so much to the Chiba AJET group for letting me join their Mt. Nokogiri hike today! If you’re looking for a Tokyo area day hike adventure, please check out: https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/mt-nokogiri-hiking-trail-guide/

03/12/2024

📢 Current Update: Fall colors near Tokyo in Chiba

📍 Issa Soju Memorial Hall, Nagareyama City and Hondo-ji Temple, Matsudo City (location details below)

📷 Photos taken today: December 3, 2024

It was another beautiful fall day here in Chiba, so I hopped on a train and headed to see the autumn foliage in the cities of Nagareyama and Matsudo, which are both located close to Tokyo. Last week, it was the ginkgo leaves that were showing their peak autumn yellows, but now the maple leaves have joined the party and have started to display their colors too!

Photos 1 & 2:
Issa Soju Memorial Hall, Nagareyama City
一茶双樹記念館 流山市
Google Maps Plus Code:
VV2W+38 Nagareyama, Chiba
About an 8-minute walk from Heiwadai Station on the Ryutetsu Nagareyama Line

Photos: 3 & 4:
Hondo-ji Temple, Matsudo City
本土寺 松戸市
Google Maps Plus Code:
RWRH+39 Matsudo, Chiba
About a 10-minute walk from Kita-Kogane Station on the JR Joban Line

28/11/2024

📢 Current Update: Fall colors in Ichikawa City, right next to Tokyo
📷 : November 28, 2024

I went out today and explored a couple of temples and a shrine in Chiba’s Ichikawa City that are known for their beauty in fall, especially their yellow ginkgo trees. Some of the ginkgo leaves have reached their peak fall color, while others are still a bit green, so this weekend should be a great time to come see them for yourself!

Our 3 recommended ginkgo spots:

1️⃣ Photo 1:
Hokekyo-ji Temple
中山法華経寺
Ichikawa City, Chiba
About a 5-minute walk from Keisei-Nakayama Station
Google Maps Plus Code:
PWCX+8P Ichikawa, Chiba

2️⃣ Photos 2 & 4
Katsushika Hachiman-gu Shrine
葛飾八幡宮
Ichikawa City, Chiba
About a 5-minute walk from Keisei-Yawata Station
Google Maps Plus Code:
PWFJ+MC Ichikawa, Chiba

3️⃣ Photo 3
Kokubun-ji, Shimousa Provincial Temple
下総国分寺
Ichikawa City, Chiba
About a 25-minute walk from Ichikawamama Station (Keisei)
Google Maps Plus Code:
PWV8+MJ Ichikawa, Chiba

21/11/2024

17/11/2024

Scenes of Fall Foliage at Hondo-ji Temple, Matsudo City, Chiba
Expected Peak Colors: Late November to Early December

Hondo-ji Temple is a cultural treasure with over 740 years of history, and it's one of our favorite spots for enjoying the beauty of fall in a classical Japanese setting. Found in the city of Matsudo, which borders Tokyo, Hondo-ji is a bit of a hidden gem. However, at about a 10-minute walk from Kita-Kogane Station on the JR Joban Line, it’s also an easily accessible destination. If you’re looking to take a quick day-trip from Tokyo during the fall foliage season, Hondo-ji Temple is our top recommendation!

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sda99w3Nv4oMtWwx5

*Chiba Fall Foliage Information*
The height of the fall foliage season varies by region in Japan, and here in Chiba, next to Tokyo, the period of late November to early December is usually the best time to see the leaves showing their autumn colors. Please keep in mind that the status of the foliage will vary by location and is subject to the effects of recent weather conditions.
Learn more at: https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/fall-foliage-guide/

13/11/2024

Scenes of Fall Foliage at Naritasan Park, Narita City, Chiba
Expected Peak Colors: Late November to Early December

Naritasan Park can be found behind the grounds of Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, one of Japan’s most revered cultural sites. The temple is conveniently located near Narita International Airport, just one train station away via JR Narita Station or Keisei Narita Station. Once you get off the train, you can reach the temple complex in about 15 minutes by taking a stroll down the historic Omotesando temple road which is lined with traditional shops and restaurants.

With its proximity to Narita Airport, the “Naritasan” historic district is a great destination for the start or end of your Japan trip, as many travelers choose to stay a night before diving into Tokyo, while others stop by to make one last travel memory before their departing flights. If you happen to be passing through Narita in the next few weeks, you’ll also be able to enjoy the natural beauty of autumn in Japan here at Naritasan Park!
Learn more at: https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/narita/

*Chiba Fall Foliage Information*
The height of the fall foliage season varies by region in Japan, and here in Chiba, next to Tokyo, the period of late November to early December is usually the best time to see the leaves showing their autumn colors. Please keep in mind that the status of the foliage will vary by location and is subject to the effects of recent weather conditions.
Learn more at: https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/fall-foliage-guide/

07/11/2024

Kinoene Omoya | An authentic dining and sake experience near Narita Airport

You’ll find the restaurant Kinoene Omoya on the grounds of Iinuma Honke, one of Chiba’s most storied sake breweries, located just 20 minutes from Narita International Airport. The Iinuma family founded Iinuma Honke over four centuries ago, and continue to own and operate the brewery to this day here in the town of Shisui. The newly renovated building that houses the restaurant is thought to be over 300 years old, and once served as the residence for multiple generations of Iinuma family members. The restaurant’s namesake comes from Kinoene, the brewery’s flagship sake brand, and the Japanese word ‘omoya,’ meaning the main building of a traditional Japanese estate. The dining experience on offer here at Kinoene Omoya combines this deep connection to sake with centuries of tradition, creating an authentic and original way to enjoy the best of the Japanese culinary world and seasonal cuisine while you’re en route to or from Narita Airport.

To learn more, please check out:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/kinoene-omoya/

Pictured:
(Photos 1 & 3–8) From our visit in November 2023 featuring the Ritto, or the “onset of winter,” course menu.
(Photo 2) Kinoene sake, photo provided by Iinuma Honke Brewery.

08/10/2024

The Sawara Grand Festival Returns for its Fall Encore: October 11, 12 & 13

An event so nice it has to be held twice, the semi-annual Sawara Grand Festival takes place in both July and October, with the fall edition being perhaps the grandest affair on the Chiba festival calendar. If you’re in the Tokyo or Narita areas this upcoming October 11 – 13, you can come witness the festivities by taking a trip to JR Sawara Station. Visitors can come by train via the JR Narita Line or by highway bus from the Yaesu Bus Terminal at Tokyo Station.

This festival has taken place for over 300 years here in the historic district of Sawara, and its roots date back to Sawara’s heyday as a thriving transport hub during the Edo period. The proceedings are most known for massive wooden floats, called ‘dashi,’ which make their way through the streets transporting sculptures of famous figures in Japanese history and folklore: samurai generals, gods and goddesses, animals, and more. Traditional music and dance performances add to the atmosphere here, helping earn this festival UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.

For more information, please visit:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/sawara-grand-festival/

03/10/2024

ART KIMONO Experience in Historic Narita

Narita City’s historic district is located under a ten-minute train ride from Narita International Airport, making a stop here a great way to start or end your Japan trip. The main draw is the Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple (or “Naritasan” for short) complex, a site with over 1,000 years of history. In an effort to offer visitors a unique way to explore the Naritasan area, the Narita Monzen Terminal conducts a one-of-a-kind ART KIMONO tour.

Participants in this tour can don colorful ART KIMONO designed by Yusuke Shimura, a contemporary artist based in Tokyo and New York, and a native son of the Narita area. Each kimono exhibits its own original design and the collection features a variety of colorful motifs, many representing odes to the Narita area.

Our ART KIMONO experience began by taking a pick of our favorite designs, then the professional dresser Yuu-sensei helped us get fitted and dressed in our selected kimono. With the dressing completed, it was time to hit the town, as we headed to the shop-lined Omotesando temple road, and then through the gates of Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple.

As we walked around the centuries-old grounds in our ART KIMONO, we weren’t just immersed in the surrounding beauty of the traditional architecture and natural spaces, we became part of the mosaic itself. If you’re interested in experiencing the historic “Naritasan” temple area in this unique way, please check out: https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/narita/

01/10/2024

A True Taste of Tradition While You Travel:
Learn to Make Pressed Sushi near Narita Airport

The historic “Naritasan” temple district near Narita Airport has recently been gaining attention with travelers to Japan thanks to its classic Japanese atmosphere and convenient location. While you’ll certainly have a fulfilling time simply exploring the area, you can also try more immersive cultural experiences here with the Narita Monzen Terminal. We visited their headquarters in the historic Naritasan temple district to try out one of their programs: a Pressed Sushi Cooking Lesson.

Participants in this lesson are guided on a step-by-step process for making a pressed sushi dish by the Narita Monzen Terminal’s cooking teacher, Hirano-sensei. Accompanying the meal is miso soup and Japanese salad, which you’ll also help prepare, plus complimentary local sake and a traditional Japanese confectionery dessert.
*The ingredients can be altered based on the participants’ dietary needs and restrictions.

Participating in the lesson ourselves gave us a chance to talk with Hirano-sensei about her background and her 14 years of teaching experience. We learned about how watching her grandmother cook as a child influenced her approach and how that helped her appreciate many aspects of Japanese culinary culture.

Not only do lesson participants get to enjoy a delicious Japanese homemade meal, you also get to witness and take part in the intricate processes and devotion that goes into creating one. If you’re interested in trying this experience yourself the next time you’re in Narita, please check out:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/narita/

25/09/2024

2024 Cosmos Festa at Sakura Furusato Square
October 5 – October 20 | Open: 9:00AM – 4:00PM*

The cosmos bloom is a beloved floral display that occurs here in Chiba in early autumn, preceding the fall foliage season. One place to enjoy the cosmos in Chiba is at Sakura Furusato Square, where an estimated 500,000 of these colorful flowers adorn the grounds in front of the square’s Dutch-style windmill.

Visitors here can also take a stroll or bicycle ride (rentals available) around the square, and if you come on a weekend during the festival, you can also take a boat ride on the adjacent lake. If taking a break to enjoy the countryside between Tokyo and Narita Airport sounds like a great way to spend a warm October day, then we invite you to come check out the cosmos at Sakura Furusato Square!

*You may still enter certain areas of the square when the festival facilities are closed.
Location Information: https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/sakura-furusato-square/

＊Photos from past years’ festivals

19/09/2024

A countryside inn near Narita Airport | Omikawa-tei

Omikawa-tei is an inn located on a traditional Japanese homestead, found just 20-minutes from Narita International Airport. The “-tei” suffix in Omikawa-tei means “residence” and that’s exactly what you’ll find here: A classic ‘kominka’ house and property for you and your party to have all to yourselves. Guests can also enjoy the ‘rotenburo' open-air bath perched up on the hillside behind the house, offering a view of the idyllic rural landscape below. While there are plenty of airport-area lodgings to choose from when you land or take off from Narita, if you’re looking for a stay immersed in the true Japanese countryside, look no further than Omikawa-tei!

More information:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/omikawatei/

12/09/2024

Ohara Hadaka Festival - September 23rd & 24th, 2024
Main ‘Shiofumi’ Event: September 23, 2:30 PM at Ohara Beach

The Ohara Hadaka Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year here in Chiba, best known for a practice called ‘shiofumi’ where participants rush into the ocean carrying ‘mikoshi’ portable shrines. Traditionally, the shiofumi was meant as a way to pay respects to the sea, and to pray for bountiful crops and fish harvests. This heritage lives on today as a beloved celebration of the local coastal culture.

The shiofumi is scheduled to take place around 2:30 PM on September 23. Then the festivities continue for the remainder of the two-day festival, with crowds parading around the city, still transporting the “kami” gods in their portable shrines. If you’re looking for an only-in-Japan experience, come on down to Chiba’s Pacific coast to see this stunning spectacle in person!

Location: Isumi City, Chiba
The shiofumi takes place at Ohara Beach:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cWyLk3FW7L8e7k8z6

Train access: Ohara Station, JR Sotobo Line

Photos from last year’s festival

06/09/2024

📣 2024 Onjuku Ise Ebi Japanese Spiny Lobster Festival
・“BIG EVENT” this Sunday, September 8th and Sunday, October 6th
・JR Onjuku Station: Accessible in under 90 minutes by limited-express train from Tokyo Station

🦞 The season for Ise Ebi, Japanese spiny lobster, has come to Chiba’s Pacific coast! Restrictions put in place here to prevent the overfishing of Ise Ebi are lifted in August, and in the months that follow, Chiba becomes the home of a crustacean celebration!

📣 Coinciding with this season is the Ise Ebi Festival, held in the town of Onjuku in September and October, where visitors can casually sample many kinds of Ise Ebi dishes. Whether grilled on an open fire, served in miso soup, or as melt-in-your-mouth sashimi (see restaurant recommendation below) your taste buds will certainly thank you for taking the trip to Chiba to try Ise Ebi at its freshest!

🚆 Train Access: Onjuku Station - JR Sotobo Line. Less than 90 minutes from Tokyo Station via the Wakashio limited-express train.

⬇️ Where to enjoy Ise Ebi in Onjuku ⬇️

📍 Onjuku Ise Ebi Festival
・BIG EVENT: BBQ, Market, and more
Sunday, September 8 & Sunday, October 6; 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
・Weekend BBQ and Market:
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays from September 14 – October 27
10:00 AM until when the daily stock runs out

Location: Desert Moon Memorial Square, Onjuku
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qEGwzr8QSRUhpNsWA

📍 Restaurant recommendation:
👉 Shiratorimaru
Open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed Tuesdays
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oXNknAtiU1PfbfJs5