Narita International Airport, a major gateway to Japan, is located in Chiba Prefecture. Chiba is warm even in winter.
Narita was established as a temple town in honor of Shinsho-ji Temple on Naritasan. Sawara prospered as a commercial town and many merchant houses and storehouses from more than 100 years ago still stand today. Noda and Choshi are famous for soy sauce production.
The Boso Peninsula is blessed with grand nature and ocean frontage. Tateyama is one of the most popular beaches. Seasonal flowers can be seen along the “Flower Line” road throughout the year. Katsuura and Kamogawa on the coast are great for leisure activities and picturesque scenery. Kamogawa Sea World is a marine theme park with sea animals from all over the world. Yoro Canyon is a popular place for hiking and, especially in autumn, many people come to see the autumn foliage.
Chiba boasts delicious foods from the mountains such as peanuts and loquats and from the sea including bonito, iseebi (Japanese spiny lobster), and abalone.
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Naritasan Shinsho-ji TempleShinsho-ji is the temple that many go to during the New Year's holiday for their “first temple visit” of the year.. Narita Gion Matsuri festival takes place here in early July every year. Walk around the area and watch the Goma rite, the most important service held at this temple.
Address: 1 Narita, Narita City, Chiba
TEL: 0476-22-2111
Information: http://www.nrtk.jp/lang/en/sightseeing/01_naritasan.html
Shinobu KASHIWAGI (Trans Orbit Pty Ltd):
Outstanding guide, bigger area than expected & lots to see!
Sawara Machinami Koryukan HallSawara thrived as an important distribution center for shipping and still retains the atmosphere of those days. Try making paper cutouts with a Sawara historical motif.
Address: 1903-1 Sawara I, Katori City, Chiba
TEL: 0478-54-7766
Information: http://www.sawara-cci.or.jp/aruki/english/03den_frame.html
Sophie Clare SCHIRMER (Flight Centre Piccadilly):
I loved this trial of kirie. Lots of fun!!
Wojciech Jerzy LASEK (Travel by Design):
The activity of paper art is a good way to introduce some of the local art.
Lunch
Boat Tours on the Ono RiverCruise down the Ono River to get a nice view of the old warehouses and other buildings. After cruising, stroll around the town and shop in the renovated warehouses.
Fare: Adult 1200-1300 yen, Child 600-700 yen
Fare (Group): Adult 1100-1200 yen, Child 500-600 yen
Business Hours: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Information: http://www.suigosanto.com/en-waterfront.html
Katori Jingu ShrineThis ancient shrine is said to have been first established more than 2,600 years ago. Sawara town was also a temple town (shrine town) for this shrine.
Address: 1697 Katori, Katori City, Chiba
TEL: 0478-57-3211
Information: http://www.sawara-cci.or.jp/aruki/english/katori_shrine.html
Tokyo DisneylandMeet all the Disney characters. This is a dreamland where you can enjoy many, many attractions and events. The Electrical Parade is fantastic and a definite must-see.
Address: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu City, Chiba
TEL: 045-330-5211
Information: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/index.html
Strawberry Picking at TateyamaTateyama is warm throughout the year and spring foods are available earlier than in other parts of Japan. Fresh-picked, vine-ripened strawberries are delicious! Once you taste one, you’ll want more and more.
Address: Tateyama City, Chiba
Information: http://www.mboso-etoko.jp/navi/e/c01.asp
Dean LANDY (Advance Olympic Travel):
Great experience tasting delicious strawberries!
Nanabatake RoadAbout 3 hectares of land are covered with a carpet of yellow field mustard (rape blossom) flowers. This is a wonderful scene redolent with the scent of the flowers, and creates the feeling that spring is in full swing.
Address: Kamogawa City, Chiba
Amy RAE (China Travel Service Pty Ltd):
It was nice to see flower even in middle of winter!
Lunch
Kamogawa Sea WorldThis aquarium faces the Pacific Ocean. Performances by dolphins, killer whales, beluga whales (white whales), and sea lions are a must-see.
Business Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Address: 1464-18 Higashi-machi, Kamogawa City, Chiba
TEL 04-7093-4803
Information: http://www.kamogawa-seaworld.jp/english/index.html
Katsuura Big Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) (until Sunday, March 4, 2012)More than 25,000 hina dolls are displayed around Katsuura City. There is a children’s parade and other events and many stalls selling food and festival goodies.
Venue: Katsuura City (Tomisaki Shrine, In front of Kakuo-ji Temple gate, etc）
Information: http://www.city.katsuura.chiba.jp/event/hinamatsuri-e.html
Winter Illumination at Country Farm Tokyo German Village (until Sunday, March 4, 2012)This is one of the largest illuminations in Minami-Boso in winter. About 2 million LED lights create a fantastic atmosphere.
Venue: Country Farm Tokyo German Village (419 Nagayoshi, Sodegaura City, Chiba)
Information: http://www.chiba-tour.jp/html/popup/german_village_en.html
Stay in hot spring resorts in Chiba!
The geographical location of Chiba Prefecture is superior with the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Tokyo Bay to the west. All regions are mainly based on the bicarbonate salt spring, while the springs in Southern Boso City are mostly with sulfur springs and iodine springs in the central north Boso City. The spring facility overlooking the sea with viewable beautiful sunset of sunrise and gentle sea breeze makes people unforgettable lifelong. Each hot spring area has its own unique and authentic cuisines such as seafood or mountain foods. Don’t miss them! The “Inubousaki Hot Spring” located to the easternmost of Kanto is the favorite spring of many literati. The novel of “Nansou Satomi Hakkenden” was originated from “Tateyama Hot Spring.” As for “Kamogawa Hot Spring,” there are legends of Nichiren Shonin and Minamoto no Yoritomo. Chiba hot springs disseminate a variety of fascinating unique charms.
Kamogawa Hot Spring
Started from April Heisei 15 (2003), Kamogawa hot spring has 22 hot spring hotels offering bicarbonate salt springs. The four seasons have their unique features. You can enjoy hot springs, scenery viewings and taste local seafood and mountain food in the fall or winter.
This was a wonderful learning experience. I enjoyed the tours & meeting people. It was wonderful to see & experience first hand to boost confidence in selling future products. Thank you very much for this experience.
Wojciech Jerzy LASEK (Travel by Design):
This was one of the most interesting and engaging tour I ever took part in. It allows me to recommend travel to Chiba with much more confidence.
Excellent in organisation, excellent itinerary, excellent hospitality.
Dean LANDY (Advance Olympic Travel):
In 5 days so many sight and experience to see. Great range of history, culture, tradition & food experiences.
Sophie Clare SCHIRMER (Flight Centre Piccadilly):
Loved the tour, learnt and saw so much! It was very fast period but allowed us to see as much as possible in a short period of time.