Thanks to the hordes of tourists descending on Kyoto, the Japanese city is increasing accommodation tax rates starting in March 2026. We’re here to tell you that there’s so much more to see in the country rather than the same old over-visited, over-photographed cities.
Enter Chiba, a prefecture just east of Tokyo that you probably have visited without even knowing it – Urayasu, where Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are located, technically belongs to Chiba Prefecture. While we’re at it, so does Narita International Airport.
It only takes 39 minutes on the JR Sobu Line to get from Tokyo Station to Chiba Station, with tickets priced between ¥650-¥900 (~S$5.53-S$7.66). So take a trip there the next time you plan a trip to Japan – and we’ve got you covered with 10 things to do in Chiba to take the legwork out of it.
The current exchange rate is ¥100 = ~S$0.85 as of 7th November 2025.
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千葉県 (Chiba-ken), as Chiba Prefecture is known in Japanese, is surrounded by Ibaraki in the North, Saitama in the Northwest, and Tokyo in the West. Here, you’ll find the Bōsō Peninsula, a rice-farming region where the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923 left widespread damage.
Image credit: @visit_chiba_japan via Instagram
Compared to Tokyo, Chiba experiences relatively warmer winters and cooler summers. The region enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with temperatures of 19°C-31°C in summer, coupled with rainy weather, and 2°C-12°C in the cold months.
Image credit: @visit_chiba_japan via Instagram
The best times to visit Chiba are undoubtedly during the spring and autumn seasons, where average temperatures are a milder 14°C, and it’s less humid. Plus, you’ll get to see cherry blossoms and other flowers in spring, and hike to catch the fall foliage in autumn.
Kasamori Temple has survived 1,200 years, and countless earthquakes, including the Great Kanto earthquake, and today, you can visit this uniquely constructed temple that sits on 61 wooden pillars, on a rocky outcrop in central Chiba. It’s also the only one of its kind in Japan to be built in this shiho-kakezukuri design.
On the way up, keep an eye out for Sanbon-sugi, 3 enormous cedar trees that are estimated to be about 900 years old, and have fused into a single entity. There’s also Kosazuke Kusunoki, a camphor tree with a hole in its trunk – legend has it that if you walk through the hole, you’ll be blessed with a healthy bebe. Don’t forget to buy yourself some maneki-neko while you’re here too – unlike the white ones you usually see, these are completely black.
P.S.: No nails were used in the construction of the pillars and crossbeams that hold up this temple.
Address: 302 Kasamori, Chōnan-machi, Chōsei-gun, Chiba 297-0125
Opening hours: 8am–4.30pm (Apr–Sep) | 8am–4pm (Oct–Mar)
Contact: +81-475-46-0536 | Kasamori Temple website
Image adapted from: @hoko_ori, @nishizken via Instagram
Rising 330m above the western coast of the Boso Peninsula is Mount Nokogiriyama (鋸山), a less-visited mountain housing Nihonji Temple (日本寺) – one of the oldest sites of worship in the Kanto Region. This temple was commissioned more than 1,300 years ago, but more significantly, you’ll find a 31m-tall Big Buddha here, carved in 1780, and 1,500 statues of Buddhist disciples that line the paths.
Image adapted from: @hoko_ori, @tabi_bura via Instagram
At the top of the mountain, alias “Saw-tooth” mountain, you’ll find Jigoku Nozoki, AKA Hell Lookout, with spectacular views over the Peninsula and Tokyo Bay. If the weather is exceptionally fine, you might even spy Mount Fuji herself, and the Tokyo Skytree.
Should you have the liberty of time, consider taking a 40-minute ferry ride across Tokyo Bay from Tokyo-Wan Kurihama Ferry Port to Kanaya Port, before taking a cable car or starting your trek. Ferries depart every 30 minutes, and you can buy your tickets at the terminal. A round-trip ticket costs ¥550 (~S$4.65) for children from 5 years old, and ¥1,100 (~S$9.35) for adults.
If you prefer, join a guided tour of Nokogiriyama, with options ranging from easy 2.5h hikes ¥2,000 (~S$16.84) to full-day treks ¥5,000 (~S$42.10).
Address: 184 Motona, Kyonan Town, Awa-gun, Chiba 299-2100
Opening hours: 8am–5pm, Daily
Contact: +81-470-55-1103 | Nokogiriyama website
Travel back in time when you visit Sawara Old Town in Katori City. Today, the former trading city is nicknamed Koedo (小江戸), or Little Edo, because of the traditional wooden buildings and canals that still stand – the very same ones which merchants used, during its heyday 200 years ago, to transport goods to the capital.
A highlight here, besides strolling through the preserved streets, is taking a historical boat tour ($10.09) on the ancient waterways. While there are some tours offering motorised boats, we would highly recommend taking an old-school wooden boat manned by a boatman for all the feels, and none of the commercial frills.
Get your tickets to the Little Edo Sawara boat tour.
History buffs, or fans of 2024’s hit drama series Shōgun, you’ll want to put Sakura City on your map. Unlike the pretty pink flowers that come to mind when you think of the word “sakura”, this city was originally a garrison guarding access to ancient Edo. The castle may be gone, courtesy of the Meiji government, but Bukeyashiki Street, where Bukeyashiki (武家屋敷) literally translates to “samurai family residence”, remains.
Here, you’ll find 3 preserved samurai houses, including Kawara House, believed to be the oldest of these, and occupied as recently as the 1980s. A 3-museum pass is priced at ¥600 (~S$5.10) for adults, and half that for children, covering the Samurai Residence, Former Hotta Residence, and Sakura Juntendo Memorial Hall. Do note that they only accept cash payments.
Then, there’s the Hiyodori-zaka Slope, a perhaps less-crowded alternative to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, that’s remained unchanged since the Edo Period. This very path has been well-trod by many a samurai in his time from the residences up to the castle, and you could even put on a samurai costume for the full experience.
Bukeyashiki
Address: 57 Miyakojimachi, Sakura, Chiba 285-0016
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am-5pm (Closed on Mon)
Contact: +81-434-86-2947 | Old Samurai House website
Hiyodori-zaka Slope
Address: 5-23 Jonaicho, Sakura, Chiba 285-0017
Opening hours: 24 hours
Contact: +81-434-86-6000 | Hiyodoi-zaka Slope website
Image adapted from: @nest_photostory, @japantravelcom via Instagram
Just 30 minutes from Narita International Airport is Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (成田山新勝寺), a Buddhist temple that was built in 940. It was a popular pilgrimage site during the Edo Period thanks to Ichikawa Danjuro, a famous kabuki actor, cementing the temple’s ties to the classical form of Japanese theatre.
The temple is spread over a vast complex, so take your time to explore its various buildings and structures. Catch its famous Goma fire rituals, which take place several times daily; you can even take part in guided meditation sessions – in Japanese.
Then, walk along Naritasan Omotesando, which you would have passed to get from Narita Station to the temple, to shop its bounty of souvenirs, traditional crafts, and food. On the way, make a pit stop at Kikuya, an unagi institution that was founded during the Edo period, and has remained in the family for almost 300 years.
Prepared with a sauceless grilling process and a proprietary, punchy sauce, this was so beloved by the great Steven Spielberg that he requested for a bowl to be delivered to his hotel so he could have it on the plane as he flew home.
Address: 1 Narita, Narita City, Chiba 286-0023
Opening hours: 8am–4pm, Daily
Contact: +81-476-22-2111 | Naritasan Shinshoji Temple website
A little further afoot from Tokyo is Katsuura, famed for its fishing port, and Katsuura Morning Market, one of the top 3 largest morning markets in Japan. Before we get to the market, we’ll have you know that this coastal city, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is said to be where you’ll find bluefin tuna that’s so fresh off the boat, it’s never frozen.
So it’s at the Katsuura Morning Market that you’ll find all sorts of freshly caught seafood and seasonal produce, alongside coffee stands, souvenirs and crafts.
If you’re here in late February to early March, you must not miss the steps from the market leading up to Tomisaki-jinja Shrine, which are laid with approximately 1,800 Hina dolls to mark the shrine’s Katsuura Big Hina Matsuri, or Doll Festival.
Address: Shimohonmachi Asaichi Street (1st–15th) | Nakahonmachi Asaichi Street (16th–end of month), Katsuura, Chiba
Opening hours: Thu-Tue 6.30am–11am (Closed on Wed)
Contact: +81-470-73-2500 | Katsuura Morning Market website
If your Chinese parents always reminded you to finish your rice, quoting lines from the famous poem that ends with “粒粒皆辛苦”, to appreciate the hard work of farmers and not waste food, here’s your chance to actually experience that labour of love. Cue Oyama Senmaida Rice Terraces, an uber picturesque backdrop that even transforms into an illuminated hillside come winter.
The Oyama Senmaida Preservation Society, in a bid to preserve the knowledge and culture of rice farming, organises hands-on agricultural experiences, and even how to cook rice in a traditional Japanese stove. Find out more about the experience programmes on the Oyama Senmaida Preservation Society website.
Even if you’re just visiting for the views, you can try the very rice that’s been grown in the paddies at Tanada Cafe Gonbei, a restaurant in a 120-year-old building overlooking the terraces that serves onigiri, rice bowls, and even rice noodles.
Oyama Senmaida
Address: 540 Hiratsuka, Kamogawa, Chiba 296-0232
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 9am-4pm (Closed on Tue)
Contact: +81-470-70-9050 | Oyama Senmaida Preservation Society website
Tanada Cafe Gonbei
Address: 546-1 Hiratsuka, Kamogawa, Chiba 296-0232
Opening hours: Fri-Sun 10am-4pm (Closed on Mon-Thu)
Contact: +81-470-99-9052 | Tanada Cafe Gonbei
Skip the shinkansen on this Japan trip and head out into the countryside instead on the Kominato Railway, which runs from Ichihara City in Chiba to Otaki Town on a 39km-long route using old-school diesel-powered cars. Don’t miss Kazusa Tsurumai Station, a particularly well-known stop on this journey that hasn’t been changed since the 1930s.
This sightseeing train even has some open-air trolley cars for maximum views of cherry blossoms, yellow rapeseed flowers in spring, and golden rice paddies when autumn comes. Do note that the Isumi Railway segment is currently out of service, but you can hop on the buses that ply the same route.
A 1-day unlimited ticket is priced at ¥2,000 (~S$17) for adults and ¥1,000 (~S$8.50) for children, and you’ll have to download the Japan Transit Planner app to purchase these.
Address: 1-1-2 Goichuo Higashi, Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture
Opening hours: First train departs around 6.06am (varies by station)
Contact: +81-436-21-3133 | Kominato Railway website
Twice a year, the sunshine coming into Kameiwa Cave hits at just the right angle at 7am in the morning to produce a heart-shaped reflection that’s enthralled social media since it first made waves in 2015. Even if you miss these rare occasions, you can rest assured that the sight is still meant to be ultra fantastical – lack of a heart reflection aside.
Image credit: ANA
Truth is, the cave that Nomizo Falls can be found in is a man-made one, but it doesn’t detract from the Ghibli-esque vibes that you’ll still feel upon entering the sun-drenched scene. During the summer months of June to July, nightfall brings thousands of fireflies, giving way to spectacular fall foliage in what’s said to be the last place in Honshu to change colours for the season.
Address: 1954 Sasa, Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture
Opening hours: 24 hours
There are only 14 facilities left in the world today with captive orcas, and Kamogawa Sea World is one of them, with 3 orca sisters named Lovey, Lara, and Luna. Fun fact: all 7 captive orcas that are found in Japan today are descended from Stella, the country’s oldest captive orca. If you’ve always dreamed of seeing one IRL, you definitely have to make a trip here before it’s too late.
Apart from killer whales, Kamogawa Sea World also houses bottlenose dolphins, beluga whales, penguins, even walruses and sea lions – all housed in enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitats. To make it even more realistic, the park is situated on the Southeastern coast of Chiba, facing the expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
Tickets to Kamogawa Sea World are priced at ¥1,300 (~S$11.05) for children aged from 4 years old, ¥2,000 (~S$17) for children aged 6-15 years old, ¥3,300 (~S$28.05) for adults from 16 years of age, and ¥2,700 (~S$22.95) if you’re aged above 60.
Get your tickets to Kamogawa Sea World.
Address: 1464-18 Higashi-cho, Kamogawa City, Chiba 296-0041
Opening hours: 9am–5pm, Daily (varies by season)
Contact: +81-4-7093-4803 | Kamogawa Sea World website
Skip the usual haunts of Osaka, Kyoto, or even Hokkaido, and consider making Chiba your next Japan vacay destination. You can be sure that you’re very much less likely to be shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow tourists, and having so much more of an authentic Japanese holiday.
This post was brought to you by Chiba Prefecture.
Cover image adapted from: Japan National Tourism Organisation, @nishizken, @hirokingraphy via Instagram
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