Visit Chiba Japan

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)

📷 Photo 3: Tateyama City Fireworks
第61回館山観光まつり　館山湾花火大会
Saturday, August 2, from 7:10 (In case of inclement weather, the fireworks will be postponed until a later date)
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

28/06/2025

Mihama-en: A Japanese Garden in the Heart of the City

Creating a spectacular contrast of old and new Japan, the Mihama-en Japanese Garden sits in tranquility among the modern skyscrapers and chic condominiums of Chiba’s “Makuhari New City.” Along with the various trees and flowers that make the park enjoyable in all seasons, Mihama-en was designed to incorporate all the most picturesque elements of Japanese gardens. Ponds, stone lanterns, and bamboo fences line the manicured walkways, and many visitors stop at the traditional Japanese tea house for a break with an authentic tea experience.

Learn more about Chiba’s “Makuhari New City” at: https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/makuhari/

Please note that the facility does not provide umbrellas to visitors.

27/06/2025

19/06/2025

✈️ The 2025 Narita Gion Festival – Just Minutes from Narita Airport – July 4, 5 & 6 ✈️

We’d argue that this is Japan’s easiest-to-access summer festival for international travelers, as much of it takes place just outside JR Narita and Keisei Narita stations, just a short train ride from Narita International Airport. That makes it possible to catch a glimpse of the festivities, whether you are on your way to or from the airport, or even perhaps during a long layover. Of course, Narita also makes a great day-trip option for those staying in Tokyo too.

Throughout the Narita Gion Festival, ten traditionally decorated dashi floats and one mikoshi portable shrine are paraded around town and down the Omotesando, a charming street lined with restaurants and shops that leads from Narita Station to the over-1,000-year-old Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple. Traditional music and dance performances add to the atmosphere here, and the excitement builds during the day until the fervor peaks at nighttime when the dashi are beautifully lit up from about 7:00 PM each evening.

Friday, July 4th: Ceremonies start in the afternoon (from 1:30 PM) in front of Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple. The dashi floats are then paraded down the Omotesando road and around town into the late evening, until around 9:00 PM.

Saturday, July 5th: Ceremonies start at 9:00 AM in front of JR Narita Station. The dashi floats are then paraded down the Omotesando road and around town throughout the day and into the late evening, until around 9:00 PM.

Sunday, July 6th: The dashi floats are paraded around town in the morning and then down the Omotesando road from 1:00 PM. The closing ceremony takes place from 5:00PM at Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, followed by a final dashi light-up that goes until the late evening, until around 10:00 PM.

If you’d like to learn more about the Narita Gion Festival and other festivals in Chiba, please visit:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/festivals-in-chiba/

09/06/2025

The Heavenly Hillsides of the Hattori Hydrangea House

Hydrangea, or ‘ajisai’ as they are known in Japanese, are a symbol of the rainy season in Japan. Here in Chiba, the season usually occurs in June, and one of our favorite places to admire the ajisai bloom is along the steep hillsides of the Hattori Hydrangea House in Mobara City. The Hattori family has been cultivating these slopes for decades, resulting in a stunning and colorful display that usually lasts through early July. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful views along the hillside pathways and help support the local community too, as fresh Chiba produce can be purchased and enjoyed here.

Open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM during June through the beginning of July.
Entrance: 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for elementary school aged children.

To learn more, please visit:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/hattori-hydrangea-house/

Photos from previous years

07/06/2025

A Hidden Hydrangea Temple, Located Just Outside Tokyo!

The estimated 50,000 hydrangeas have started to bloom here at Hondo-ji Temple. Found in the city of Matsudo, which borders Tokyo, Hondo-ji is a bit of a hidden gem, but at about a 10-minute walk from Kita-Kogane Station on the JR Joban Line, it’s also an easily accessible destination. The temple itself has over 740 years of history, having been founded as one of the major Buddhist temples of the Kamakura period.

A water garden of irises also blooms here during June, letting you enjoy two stunning flower displays side-by-side on the temple grounds. The natural beauty isn’t limited to just early summer, as the scenery found here attracts visitors year-round, from the cherry blossoms in early spring to the red maple and yellow ginkgo leaves of fall. If you’re in Tokyo and in search of some scenery and serenity, just hop across the border to Chiba’s Matsudo City and take a trip to Hondo-ji Temple!

Check out a sample Matsudo day-trip itinerary here:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/matsudo-city-model-day-trip/

Photos from previous years

27/05/2025

26/05/2025

From a “Flying” Monorail to Tunnels of Trees: Japan Train Trip Adventures Next to Tokyo

Located on a peninsula next to Tokyo, Chiba offers you a chance to travel by train through both bustling cityscapes and stunning natural scenery. With speedy limited-express trains, retro single-track routes, and even a world record breaking suspended monorail, you can spend a day marveling at a variety of idyllic only-in-Japan scenes just outside your window by riding the rails in Chiba! If that sounds like the travel experience for you, please take a look at our Chiba train trip guide below to learn more…

https://www.visitchiba.jp/information/train/