Chiba Guide: Things to do in Chiba

Explore Narita City
Although it is a relatively small city, Narita City is famous for the Narita International Airport. But there is a lot of life and even the flavor of the town around the airport. Spent an extra hour or two before or after your flight to wander around Narita and check out the temples, shops, and cafes. Visit Naritasan Shinshoji Temple which was built over a thousand years ago and stroll through Omotesando, famous for being the oldest shopping street in Tokyo.

A visit to Kamogawa Sea World
Kamogawa Sea World is among the most acknowledged destinations for tourists in Chiba with people of all ages and sexes visiting it together with their families. This marine park has various entertainment programs that include performances by dolphins, sea lions, and other marine animals that are quite entertaining to children and adults. In addition to the shows, there are exhibits where you can get to see the birds such as penguins, mammals including walruses, and other marine mammals like seals. Being able to have hot springs, beautiful Japanese gardens, and a hotel within the place, one could easily spend a day or even a weekend here.

Go Strawberry Picking
Chiba has been particularly making headlines for their cultivation of some of the largest and sweetest strawberries in Japan. Strawberry picking in Chiba farms is particularly available from January to May when many of the farms allow visitors to come and pick their own fresh, red strawberries. Take home or buy the basket full or even take as many strawberries as you desire and eat in the field. Some of the top attractions that visitors can find and experience in this region are Tomizawa Strawberry Farm, Ichijiku Orchard, and Lavender Field. Visit the strawberry-picking farm over the weekend and you get a bonus of beautiful shots of lavender fields and Mt Fuji.

Sawara Culture District – the Discovery of Traditional Crafts
Sawara has preserved its traditional waterways as well as the buildings which make the location look like a period movie set in old Edo Japan. Sawara used to be a place of the transportation industry and also a booming commercial town. Currently, tourists can visit the Sawara Culture District where individuals are educated on traditional arts such as fabric dyeing, spinning, and sweet making via the provision of training alongside artisans who wish to practice such techniques. In the period from April to October, the area’s canals can also be used for a boat tour to get a different perspective.

Visit the hot springs at Onjuku Onsen
Onjuku in eastern Chiba has a splendid coast that encompasses a hot spring town with vantage seascapes. Onjuku Onsen offers opportunities to take a natural hot spring bath, to walk along the tree-lined roads, and for luxurious accommodation in traditional ryokan inns and hotels offering excellent service and gourmet meals. Some of the hot spring facilities are even day-trip alternatives if you do not wish to spend a night there. And the same warm sea water in the sea, you can bathe in numerous sea<|reserved_special_token_266|> hot spas, which are believed to have therapeutic effects.

Onjuku Beach is one of the best places one can choose to camp or take a surf session.
Besides its hot spring attractiveness, Onjuku Beach is used for surfing and beach camping from the spring through the fall season. Onjuku Beach is a perfect destination for a leisurely day by the sea where you can enjoy stunning white sand, and famous waves for surfing, practice yoga on the shore, try ramen right on the beach, and contemplate the mesmerizing start and end of the day – the sunrise and the sunset respectively, all of which is located within a fairly proximity to Tokyo. Fancy staying in a house which is directly on the sand, or pitch your tent but do not forget the insect repellant or the sunscreen.

What a great pleasure to attend the Annual Winter Illuminations
Almost every town in Chiba during the approach of winter produces impressive winter illumination light to lighten the long cold nights. Cities go to great lengths to compare who has the best tunnel of light, gigantic Christmas trees, 3-D animal-lighted sculptures, etc. This article also describes that the prefecture provides some excellent places for winter illumination such as Makuhari Beach Park, QVC Marine Field, Kaihin Makuhari Park, Mother Farm in Futtsu City, and Ichikawa Canal City. Other theme parks such as Tokyo Disney and Yomiuri Land also dress up for holidays too.

Cycle the Bayside Route
When it comes to viewing and enjoying the beautiful coastlines and beaches of Chiba, there is no better way than through the Bayside Route bicycle path. This approximately 40 km, mostly flat, cycling road is paved and features views of Cebu beaches, scenic overviews of Tokyo Bay, and parks and flower gardens along the coastal area. Some of the areas where people can rent bikes are also provided along the paths in case they want to explore the area using bikes. The route links Kaihin Makuhari & the QVC Marine Fields. And you can do things on your own time if, for instance, you wish to swim along the shores then you will be able to do so or if you wish to find a perfect spot to have a picnic with beautiful views of lighthouses and industrial harbor scenery then you will be able to do so as well.

Hike Mt. Nokogiri
With its temple and scenic, easily accessible path, one can find both spiritual enlightenment and a great workout less than 2 hours away from Tokyo in the shadow of the Nokogiri Mountains across Tokyo Bay. Being situated in the western part of Chiba, this mountain contains Nihonji Temple, host to about 1500 Buddhist statues which have been chiseled into the cliffs and cave walls. Many parts of the mountain can be accessed by cable car, although the last part might require the use of a hiking trail. However, for the best view, you will opt for one of the well-advertised trails that lead you through various waterfalls, cliff-carved Buddhist prayers, and the view of the Boso Peninsula which is characterized by sharp coastlines.

I trust these suggestions will help you to have a wonderful time in Chiba! Chiba is a region that has many temples, and hot springs, creating experiences through crafts, trails, winter illumination, beaches, amusement parks, and many more all within close reach of the capital. It seems such a shame to go to Japan and not get to experience this more rural side of things, especially as it is so accessible from Tokyo on your next trip! In case you have other questions, do not hesitate to ask.