Chiba/千葉

Chiba Travel Guide: Quiet Coasts and Hidden Temples Beyond the Airport

Chiba is often known only as the home of Narita Airport, but beyond the runway lies a world of soft beaches, seaside temples, and countryside calm. With forests meeting the sea and timeworn paths leading to lantern-lit shrines, it’s a gentle beginning — or ending — to your journey in Japan. In Chiba, wabi-sabi lives quietly on the breeze.

Nature & Coastal Landscapes

  • Nokogiriyama (Mt. Nokogiri): A jagged peak with panoramic ocean views, hidden caves, and the Great Buddha of Nihon-ji Temple carved into the cliff.
  • Oyama Senmaida: Japan’s closest terraced rice fields to Tokyo — peaceful, seasonal, and framed by forested hills.
  • Cape Inubosaki: A dramatic cape with a white lighthouse, perfect for watching the first sunrise in Japan.

Spiritual & Cultural Highlights

  • Naritasan Shinshoji Temple: Just minutes from the airport, this large yet tranquil complex is filled with gardens, incense, and chanting monks.
  • Tanjoji Temple: A quiet coastal temple dedicated to the founder of Nichiren Buddhism — simple and spiritual.
  • Kujukuri Beach: 60 kilometers of uninterrupted coastline — visit early morning to hear only waves and gulls.

Local Cuisine

  • Sardines (Iwashi): Freshly grilled or marinated — Chiba’s signature coastal catch.
  • Peanuts: Often roasted or used in sauces and sweets — humble and hearty.
  • Clam Dishes (Asari): Lightly steamed or in miso soup — delicate and ocean-scented.

Wabi-Sabi Moments in Chiba

  • Watching fog drift over rice terraces at dawn in Oyama Senmaida
  • Walking narrow forest trails to hidden temple gates in Nokogiriyama
  • Sitting quietly at Naritasan Garden, listening to temple bells fade into the trees
  • Feeling sea breeze on your face as you stand alone by the lighthouse at Cape Inubosaki

Chiba is a gentle reminder that you don’t need to go far to find quiet beauty. Whether beginning your journey or taking one last breath before departure, Chiba invites you to slow down and simply be.

How to Get There

  • From Tokyo to Narita: About 1 hour via JR or Keisei Line.
  • To Nokogiriyama: Take the JR Uchibo Line to Hamakanaya Station, then ropeway or trail (approx. 2 hours from Tokyo).
  • To Oyama Senmaida: Train and bus from Tokyo to Kamogawa area (approx. 2.5 hours).
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