Chiba Prefecture, which is found on the right side of Tokyo, is home to many great attractions. The most famous is undoubtedly Tokyo DisneyLand and DisneySea. Narita Airport, the gateway for many international travellers to Japan, can be found here. Learn more about this otherwise easily overlooked part of Japan.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Chiba Prefecture
- A Tour Around Chiba
- Chiba is Peanut Land
- Access to Chiba from Tokyo
- Takeaway
Introduction to Chiba Prefecture
The prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama together make up the Greater Tokyo Area. Combined altogether, the total population of the Greater Tokyo Area is said to make up 30% of the country’s population. The areas are also known to be Japan’s main industrial and commercial areas with:
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Yokohama and Kawasaki in Kanagawa
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Tokyo 23 special wards in Tokyo
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Saitama in Saitama
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Chiba, Funabashi and Narita in Chiba
For more about these other parts of the Greater Tokyo area, we recommend these articles:
Geography and Population
Chiba is a seaside prefecture with the Pacific Ocean on its eastern side, and Tokyo and Tokyo Bay on its west. The Tone River 利根川 that starts from Gunma runs through Saitama and through Chiba’s Narita and Funabashi City. As of 2022, Chiba’s population is more than 6 million, 2.6% of which are foreign residents.
※ Chiba Prefecture, "市区町村別人口と世帯(最新)" ※ Tokyo Metropolitan Government, “About Our City”
Writer's Pick
A Tour Around Chiba
Chiba is a frequently overlooked place when compared to neighbouring Tokyo. What many people don’t know however is that well known attractions like Disneyland, and facilities like Narita Airport are located in Chiba, not Tokyo. For those of you who visited Japan via Narita Airport, you’re right in realising that you’ve technically already been to Chiba!
Let’s explore other attractions in Chiba in preparation for your next visit:
Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea
World famous Tokyo Disney theme parks are always crowded with excited visitors. A visit to Tokyo is incomplete without a day of fun with Mickey Mouse & Friends! DisneySea as the word “sea” implies is nautical and water-themed featuring the Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, etc. Disneyland covers pretty much everything else including Monsters Inc., Beauty and the Beast, Mickey Mouse & Friends, Star Wars, etc.
To fully explore the entire park, 3 days are recommended - 2 days for the bigger Land and 1 day for the smaller but not any less fun-packed Sea.
For more about DisneyLand & Sea, check our dedicated articles:
Tokyo Disneyland: Optimize Your Fantasy Land Experience
Tokyo DisneySea: A Nautical Adventure for All
Naritasan Shinsho-ji
Buddhist temple Naritasan Shinsho-ji was established a long time ago in the 900s by Kancho Daisojo, disciple of Shingon Sect. founder Kobo Daishi. The temple complex is huge with many structures including gates, halls, and a pagoda with magnificent architecture to admire. The temple’s deity is Fudo Myoo who is revered for taking away worldly desires and granting miracles. Throughout the year, many events are celebrated in the temple.
Kamogawa Sea World
Kamogawa Sea World with the concept of discovering the brilliance of life in the ocean world truly lives up to its name. Located on Chiba’s east coast, the sheer number of different sea creatures you can meet here makes this place worth a visit. Not just regular aquarium penguins, fish and sharks, Kamogawa Sea World also holds dolphins, walruses, sea lions, seals, and sea turtles. But that’s not all! They also have Killer Whales! And Beluga Whales! You can watch them not only swim but perform amazing tricks.
Their restaurant facilities here are also on a whole different level. You can dine right beside the killer whale aquarium in Restaurant Ocean, or at the all-you-can-eat buffet style Western Sun Cruise restaurant.
※ Kamogawa Sea World, “Facilities-Restaurant/Shop”
National Museum of Japanese History
For lovers of Japanese history and culture, make sure to add this museum to your itinerary. For a low price of 600 yen (Adult), the museum offers many exhibits featuring Japan’s important milestones in history as well as culture. It explores through the prehistoric ice age to the early century periods, when western culture met traditional Japanese, day to day cultural growth, Japanese folklore and religion, and modern civilization. The museum not just throws facts and figures at you, with life-size reproductions and sample items like rifles, clay figures, kimono and ships, but you can really immerse yourself in history.
They also have an English introduction video, it's quite long though - 15 minutes.
Akebonoyama Agriculture Park
Akebonoyama Agriculture Park in Kashiwa is a great countryside escape. The huge park is separated into several areas each with its own charm:
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Akebonoyama Park, aka Sakura Mountain, with over 200 cherry blossom trees, an observation deck for a high vantage point, a Japanese garden and a tearoom
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Akebono Beach Park, a barbecue and cafe space area
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Flower Fields, a field of flowers and a windmill giving off Holland vibes. Rainbow tulips in spring, sunflowers in summer, cosmos in autumn, and winter illumination for winter
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And more!
Other things to enjoy in the park are agricultural experiences and shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables at the various grocer stalls.
(BONUS) Makuhari Messe
Posted by 幕張メッセ (Makuhari Messe) on Thursday, September 24, 2020
One of Japan’s biggest convention centres that hosted several Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics games is Makuhari Messe. Many concerts, events, and exhibitions are held here. If you’re lucky, perhaps something you’re interested in will coincide with your visit to Chiba.
For more about Makuhari Messe, have a look at our dedicated article:
Makuhari Messe, Chiba’s Massive Convention Centre
Chiba is Peanut Land
Chiba is most famous for their peanut production supplying around 70% of Japan’s peanuts. When visiting Chiba, make sure to get peanuts and/or peanut snacks as a souvenir. Here are some places to get your nut fix:
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Peanut picking experience in September/October at Arinomi-en Camping Ground
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Pineki by Kimura Peanuts in Tateyama City for peanut soft serve ice-cream and other peanut snacks
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Peanut Monaka by Nagomi Yaneya is not only peanut-shaped but comes in a peanut box, which is so cute! You can find them at their main store near Naritasan Shinsho-ji (above) or at the branch shop at JR Narita Station.
For other nutty recommendations, check
Chiba Prefectural Government’s peanut brochure.
Access to Chiba from Tokyo
Chiba is easily reachable by train, bus, and car from Tokyo. By car, it will take around 30-mins to reach Chiba provided traffic is clear. There are several routes available via train: Chuo Line from Akihabara to Chiba Station, Keiyo Line from Shibuya to Chiba-Minato Station, and Sobu Line from Tokyo to Chiba Station; plus Narita Express lines to Narita Airport.
Considering how large Chiba is, it is recommended to Google Map search your destination for the nearest accessible station. For example, Maihama Station should be your stop for DisneyLand & DisneySea, and Narita Station for Naritsan Shinsho-Ji.
Takeaway
It must come as a surprise how much Chiba has to offer aside from Disney and an airport. Other things we’ve not covered include Chiba Zoological Park, Umihotaru Odaiba Bay, and more. With amazing sights, fun experiences, and delicious food, give Chiba an opportunity to offer you a Japan trip experience.
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