Chiba

Located approximately just east of Tokyo, Chiba is easily accessible. Most tourists might make the mistake of thinking about Chiba just as an entry point to the rest of the country yet the region is full of gems that give the prefecture its own unique charm.

Chiba is blessed with an attractive coastline that in the summer sees Tokyoites arriving in droves to enjoy the wide sandy beaches, high-quality surf and laid-back atmosphere on offer. Bars, restaurants, and marine activities become widely available for the weekend urban crowds though there’s plenty of room for exploration along Chiba’s 500-plus kilometer coastline.

Narita and Choshi

Choshi’s beautiful Cape Inubo.

Chiba’s best-known attraction is Tokyo Disney Resort, home to Tokyo Disneyland and the Japan-only Tokyo DisneySea, but there’s more here than the house of mouse. Located about 10 minutes away from Narita International Airport, consider visiting Narita Shinshoji Temple. Situated within Narita city, this area can easily be explored in half a day. As you walk around the area, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a truly traditional Japanese atmosphere.

Discover Kemeiwa Cave

Drop by Narita Omotesando, a vibrant street with picturesque shops and restaurants winds all the way up to the temple grounds. Try to sample traditional delicacies available as your first taste of Japan. In early July, the area draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to see its impressive float parade during the Narita Gion Matsuri.

Head a little farther towards the sea and you’ll reach Choshi City and beautiful Cape Inubo. The city is at the forefront of wind power in Japan. Futuristic wind farms are being built on Choshi’s rugged coast to provide energy as far as neighboring Tokyo. Take a ride on the charming Choshi Electric Railway and you can spot the Inubosaki Lighthouse.

Boso Peninsula

The view from the cliff at Mount Nokogiri.

Ample hidden beaches, caves and luxury glamping sites dot the rustic Boso Peninsula that stretches from Tokyo Bay and juts dramatically into the Pacific Ocean. Seaside getaways in Minami Boso (the southern part) are sure summer delights, but lesser traversed areas await, too. Natural wonders like Kameiwa Cave alone should be enough to entice you to journey a few hours away from the capital.

For some great hiking, head to Mount Nokogiri or “Saw mountain” which boasts spectacular cliff views overlooking Tokyo Bay. You may even run into a monkey or two. Get on a ropeway that’ll take you to the first of several panoramic lookout points, including the ironically photogenic Jigoku Nozoki or “Hell-view”, and there are several trails in and around the Nihon-ji temple and grounds.

Explore Chiba with some of our recommendations down below!