Visit Chiba Japan

20/08/2025

Haraoka Pier, Haraoka Beach, Minamiboso City, Chiba
Access: A 10-minute walk from JR Tomiura Station

You’ll find the Boso Peninsula’s most picturesque pier extending toward the sea from a quiet beach that’s located just beyond the typical Tokyo-area tourist trail. This part of Chiba is accessible by train on the JR Uchibo Line, and is known for offering seaside views of where Tokyo Bay opens up into the Pacific Ocean.

On clear days at Haraoka Pier, you can see Mt. Fuji in the distance across the sea, a scene that tends to get even more stunning around sunset when the colors of the evening sky outline the mountain’s silhouette on the horizon. This spot has provided the setting for numerous photographs, commercials and films, and although it may be a humble destination, it tends to keep a special place in the hearts of those who visit.

10/08/2025

Lunch at Kinoene Omoya | A Culinary Gem near Narita Airport

If you’re looking to make the most of your last meal in Japan before your departing flight, Kinoene Omoya is our top recommendation, being just a 20-minute drive from Narita International Airport. The restaurant is found at one of Chiba’s most storied sake breweries, Iinuma Honke, which was founded over four centuries ago, creating an authentic and original way to enjoy the best of Japanese cuisine.

On past trips we visited for dinner, but this time we went to try out the lunchtime menu so we could introduce it to you. We got the ¥3960 lunch served in a Hida Shunkei lacquered bento box, which includes a variety of seasonal ingredients. Our visit was in June, so the early-summer selection was featured. Of course, we also ordered a glass of delicious Kinoene sake.

The 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.

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

08/08/2025

One of my favorite Tokyo-based YouTubers, Tanner, was kind enough to let me guide him around Chiba for a day. Please check out the video here:

Link to the official website of Chiba Prefectural Tourism & Local Products Association:https://www.visitchiba.jp/Their instagram account:https://www.instagra...

03/08/2025

Pretty Petunias and Family Fun at Mother Farm

During summer and until late September, about 20,000 Momoiro Toiki, a type of petunia, create a beautiful pink carpet on the hillsides of Mother Farm. That’s not all you’ll find here at this ranch-style theme park in the hills of central Chiba though, as you and your family can also enjoy interacting with animals in a beautiful and expansive natural setting. Visitors also flock here for their delicious dining options and a taste of local dairy products. There will also be family-friendly events taking place this summer, and more information about them can be seen by checking the link below. So, come if you can this summer, or visit any time of year to see the seasonal sights and meet the animal friends that await here at Mother Farm!

Summer event information: (auto translated to English)
https://www.motherfarm.co.jp.e.apt.hp.transer.com/information/news/detail.php?CN=407386

Photos from past years

01/08/2025

Yaegaki Shrine Gion Festival
August 4 (Mon.) & 5 (Tue.), 2025

Main Festivities: Tuesday, August 5th from 11:30 PM

The Yaegaki Shrine Gion Festival is a beloved local tradition that takes place every summer in the coastal city of Sosa. During the festivities, each of the city’s neighborhoods parade through the streets carrying their own ‘mikoshi’ portable shrine, accompanied by traditional ‘ohayashi’ musical performers leading the way. Pictured here is one of the distinctive highlights of this festival known as ‘mizu-kake’: the practice of onlookers drenching festival participants with water. The main mizu-kake festivities will take place on August 5.

According to the area’s founding story, the original settlers of current day Sosa City enshrined the deity Susanoo-no-mikoto here in 812. Traditional Shinto rules once forbade women from carrying mikoshi, but because Susanoo-no-mikoto is associated with love and marriage, a novel tradition of having this festival include mikoshi to be only carried by women was established in 1972, providing another layer of excitement and lore to the event. This custom, known as ‘Onna Mikoshi,’ takes place on the evening of August 4.

If you’re here in the Tokyo area during this time, a visit to Sosa to see this spectacle will surely make for a one-of-a-kind travel experience and a unique chance to get a glimpse at the festive spirit of Japan and its people.

Access: JR Sobu Main Line - Yokaichiba Station

27/07/2025

25/07/2025

🌻 Summer Sunflower Scenes at Narita Dream Dairy Farm!

If you’re looking for a summertime flower photo spot near Narita Airport, check out the ‘himawari’ (sunflower) fields at Narita Dream Dairy Farm! Both “Short Himawari” and “Tall Himawari” adorn the fields here, a combination that offers two distinct scenes. Visitors also come to Narita Dream Dairy Farm for the farm-themed attractions and local dairy products, making it a popular family-friendly destination.

More info about Narita Dream Dairy Farm can be found at:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/narita-dream-farm/

The sunflower fields are on display from mid-July through late-August, and are free to enter for visitors who have paid the Narita Dream Dairy Farm standard entrance fee.

24/07/2025

17/07/2025

🩴 It’s Summer Beach Season in Chiba, Next to Tokyo 🏖️ Our Recommended Beach Towns: Onjuku and Katsuura

The neighboring beach towns of Onjuku and Katsuura on Chiba’s Pacific coast can be reached from Tokyo Station in under 90 minutes by a limited-express train. This makes the area a great destination for cooling off this summer, whether it’s just for a day, or better yet, a stay at one of the many hotels or inns located here! If you’re ready to escape the sweltering city heat and enjoy some time chilling on the Chiba coast, check out our top recommended beach spots and ocean activities below…

Detailed Information:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/summer-beach-guide/

Photo 1: Onjuku Central (Chuo) Beach, Onjuku
Open for swimming in 2025: July 18 – August 24
Train Access: 10-minute walk from JR Onjuku Station

Photo 2: Seafari Japan boat tours, Katsuura
Please see the link above for more info.

Photo 3: Ubara Beach, Katsuura
Open for swimming in 2025: July 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 | August 1 – 24
Train Access: 10-minute walk from JR Ubara Station

Photo 4: Malibu Point SUP tours, Katsuura
Please see the link above for more info.

08/07/2025

A Sparkling Summer in Chiba | Our Select Fireworks Shows in 2025

The pastime of enjoying fireworks has a long history here in Japan, and the experience continues to be a beloved summertime ritual in communities throughout the country. While there will be dozens of local firework shows in Chiba this summer, we’ve selected our top-four recommendations to introduce here. If you’ve never been to a major fireworks event in Japan, you might be in for a surprise, as they can last well over an hour and feature over 10,000 colorful blasts! For those in the Tokyo-area this August hoping to see one of these magnificent displays, consider stopping by Chiba for an unforgettable night of summer fun!

MORE DETAILS:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/summer-fireworks

***The following information shows each event’s central location. You will find various spots in the vicinity of each event for viewing, and if you are unsure where to view the fireworks, we advise arriving early. We also recommend using public transportation and to expect crowds, so please have your IC cards charged or train tickets purchased in advance. In some cases, tickets can be purchased for special reserved seating during the fireworks shows. Please check the link above for more information and for links to each event’s official website.***

📷 Photo 1: Makuhari Beach Fireworks Festa
幕張ビーチ花火フェスタ2025（第47回千葉市民花火大会）
Saturday, August 2: 7:30PM – 8:30 PM (In the case of inclement weather, it will be determined by 9:00 AM whether the fireworks display will be held)
Location: Makuhari Seaside Park (Makuhari Beach)
Train Access: JR Kaihimmakuhari Station (approx. 20-minute walk)
Reserved seating required for the central viewing areas, please see the link above for more information.

📷 Photo 2: Ichikawa City Summer Fireworks
令和7年度 第41回市川市民納涼花火大会
Saturday, August 2: 7:15 PM – 8:20 PM
Location: Edo River Riverfront
Train Access: JR Ichikawa Station (approx. 25-minute walk)
UPDATE AUG 1: Due to an approaching typhoon, it will be decided by 11:00AM on Aug. 2 if the fireworks festival will be held.

📷 Photo 3: Tateyama City Fireworks
第61回館山観光まつり　館山湾花火大会
Friday, August 8, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM, (In case of inclement weather, the fireworks will be rescheduled to August 9)
Location: Hojo Beach
Train Access: JR Tateyama Station (approx. 10-minute walk)

📷 Photo 4: Kisarazu Port Festival Fireworks
第78回木更津港まつり花火大会
Friday, August 15: 7:05 PM – 8:30 PM (Canceled in case of inclement weather)
Location: Kisarazu Port
Train Access: JR Kisarazu Station, West Exit (approx. 15-minute walk)

02/07/2025

Sawara's Summer Spectacle | The 2025 Sawara Grand Summer Festival: July 11, 12 & 13

Enjoy an experience steeped in history and tradition at the upcoming Sawara Grand Summer Festival! If you’re in the Tokyo or Narita areas this upcoming July 11 – 13, you can come witness the festivities by taking a trip to JR Sawara Station.

This festival has taken place for over 300 years here in the historic town of Sawara. It’s most known for its massive wooden floats, called ‘dashi,’ which make their way through the town’s districts 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 status as a designated UNESCO “Intangible Cultural Heritage.”

The floats will be paraded around Sawara on all three days of the festival, with the festivities lasting well into the evening. We recommend coming in the evening to see the festival at its liveliest.

If you can’t make it this time, there’s another chance to check out the Sawara Grand Festival in October. To learn about the yearly festival calendar in Chiba, check out the link below:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/festivals-in-chiba/

01/07/2025

The Summer Fun Has Begun at Mother Farm