Chiba Travel Recommendations

Chiba Prefecture is located on the eastern coast of Honshu Island in Japan, and it is the sixth most populous prefecture in the country. With an area of 5,157 square kilometers, Chiba is home to several well-known attractions, such as Tokyo Disneyland, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, and the Boso Peninsula. This prefecture is also known for its agriculture, fishing, and manufacturing industries.

Getting to Chiba from Tokyo

Getting to Chiba from Tokyo is easy and convenient. The fastest way to travel to Chiba is by taking the JR Keiyo Line from Tokyo Station to Maihama Station, which is the station for Tokyo Disneyland. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes by train, and it costs around 230 yen. Alternatively, visitors can take the Narita Express train from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport, which is located in Chiba Prefecture. The journey takes around 50 minutes, and it costs around 3,000 yen.

The best season to visit Chiba

The best season to visit Chiba depends on what kind of activities you are interested in. If you are looking to go to the beach, then the best time to visit Chiba is during the summer months from June to August. The Boso Peninsula has several beautiful beaches, such as Onjuku Beach and Kujukuri Beach. If you are interested in sightseeing, then the autumn months from September to November are the best time to visit because of the stunning fall foliage. Finally, if you are looking to visit Tokyo Disneyland, then any time of the year is a good time to go.

Must-see places in Chiba

Tokyo Disney Resort

Japan’s largest theme park, consisting of two parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. You can enjoy attractions, shows, restaurants and more based on Disney’s worldview.

Kamogawa Sea World

An aquarium where you can see marine animals, such as dolphins, sea lions, penguins and more. You can also watch shows featuring these animals. There are also exhibits of large fish such as whale sharks and sunfish.

Kujukuri Beach

Japan’s largest sandy beach, stretching for about 66 kilometers. You can enjoy marine sports such as surfing and swimming. You can also taste local cuisine such as seafood and potato stew.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

The head temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture. It has a long history dating back to 940 AD. There are historical buildings such as a three-storied pagoda and a five-storied pagoda in the temple grounds.

Cuisines you can enjoy in Chiba

White Gyoza

White gyoza are dumplings that are eaten in the eastern part of Chiba Prefecture, such as Asahi City and Sosa City. The wrappers are thin and chewy, and the filling is mainly pork and garlic chives. The characteristic of white gyoza is that they are seasoned with salt and pepper without using soy sauce or garlic, and they have a white color. They are eaten with vinegar and chili oil.

Narita’s Eel Dishes

Narita City, located in the northeastern part of Chiba Prefecture, is famous not only for its airport but also for its eel dishes. There are many long-established restaurants that date back to the Edo period, and they grill the eels over charcoal and apply sauce several times to make them fragrant and juicy. Eel kabayaki (grilled with sauce) or shirayaki (grilled without sauce), unaju (eel on rice in a box) or unadon (eel on rice in a bowl) are popular.

Katsuura Tantanmen

Katsuura City, located in the southeastern part of Chiba Prefecture, is known not only for its seafood but also for its Chinese cuisine. Katsuura tantanmen is a ramen dish with thin noodles and minced meat, green onions and bean sprouts in a spicy miso soup. You can adjust the spiciness to your liking, but some people say that it tastes better when it is spicy.

Recommended Accommodations in Chiba

Hotel MiraCosta

Hotel MiraCosta is a hotel located inside Tokyo DisneySea. It is a Disney-themed hotel that lets you enjoy the park’s atmosphere even after your adventure. You can enter the park through a special entrance for hotel guests1. The hotel has three different themes: Tuscany, Venice, and Porto Paradiso. Each theme has different types of rooms with different views of the park. The hotel opened in 2001 as the second Disney hotel in Tokyo Disney Resort.

Hotel New Otani Makuhari

Located in Chiba City, this luxury hotel features elegant rooms, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, and eight different dining options serving Japanese, French, and Chinese cuisine.

La-shoro

This is a luxury inn in Kamogawa, where you can enjoy the atmosphere of a southern island villa. All rooms have an ocean view, and some have an open-air bath. You also have a private pool, a jacuzzi, and a stylish garden. A butler will attend to your needs.

Houraiya Ryokan

This is an inn in Tenshin Komatsu, where you can enjoy the seafood while listening to the sound of the waves. You can have your meals in your room and reserve a private bath.

THE SHINRA

This is a modern Japanese-style inn in Tateyama. All rooms have a private open-air bath, and you can also enjoy the beautiful garden and cuisine.

Tateyama Onsen Senri no Kaze

This is a hot spring inn in Tateyama. You can relax in the natural surroundings and enjoy the fresh spring water and seasonal dishes.

The Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport Hotel

Located near the Narita International Airport, the Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport Hotel offers luxurious accommodation, including an indoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, and six different dining options.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Chiba Prefecture is a fascinating place to visit in Japan, with several must-see attractions and activities. The best season to visit depends on your interests, and visitors can easily travel to Chiba from Tokyo by train. Tokyo Disneyland, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, the Boso Peninsula, Chiba Castle ruins, and Kamogawa City are just a few of the must-see places in Chiba Prefecture.