From Narita Airport: Seafood And Hot Springs In Minami Boso, Chiba

Great Outdoors and Fresh Seafood in the Minami Boso Area

The southern Chiba Prefecture area has been known as Minami Boso historically. It is filled with rural charms while being a suburb of Tokyo. This region is located at the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula, so visitors can enjoy fresh seafood, coffee breaks with ocean views, and bathing in the onsen (hot springs).

Those heading directly to Tokyo from Narita Airport will be missing a unique experience, so if you want to enjoy nature or fresh seafood, consider the Minami Boso area. This article introduces several spots in the area, and also in Ichihara City in central Chiba Prefecture.

Six Spots to Visit in Minami Boso

This area filled with gorgeous nature and lesser-known destinations. The following list contains six recommended spots travelers should consider visiting.

1. Yoro Valley

Picture courtesy of pixta
Yoro Valley (Yoro Keikoku) is a famous place to view the autumn leaves. Every fall, the valley is painted red, drawing many visitors. Awamata Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the prefecture, offers a magnificent view alongside the autumn leaves.

Picture courtesy of Otaki Town

There are riverside hiking trails along which you can enjoy the changing seasonal scenery. The valley is also an area for hot spring resorts, with more than ten lodging facilities which provide travelers with rest after a day of exercise.

Awamata Waterfall

Awamata, Otaki-cho, Isumi-gun, Chiba 298-0277

2. Kominato and Isumi Railways

Picture courtesy of Kominato Railway

Kominato Railway operates 39.1 kilometers between Goi Station in Ichihara City in central Chiba Prefecture and Kazusa-Nakano Station in Otaki of the Isumi district. Passengers on the Satoyama Torocco, a tramcar which starts running in mid-March, can take in views of the yellow colza flower field in full bloom.

Riding the Satoyama Torocco requires an advanced reservation. Please check the official site.

Picture courtesy of Isumi Railway

Isumi Railway runs approximately 27 kilometers, through fourteen stations from Ohara Station in Isumi City to Kazusa-Nakano Station. The flowers along the railway offer a fantastic view, especially in spring, when cherry blossoms and colza flowers bloom.

3. Mount Nokogiri

Picture courtesy of pixta

Mt. Nokogiri (Nokogiriyama) is a major sightseeing spot in Chiba, appearing on the cover of many guidebooks. Visitors can hike up the steep mountain, or use the ropeway. Even Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Skytree can be seen from the mountaintop.

This area used to be a quarry where the precious stone, boshu-ishi, was excavated. This stone was used at various sites such as Yasukuni Shrine and Waseda University. Hikers will be able to see hints of this history during the climb.

Nihonji, a Buddhist temple, is located on the south side of the mountain. Visitors can also see the huge stone images of the Buddha and Kannon (the Buddhist deity of mercy).

Those who are not afraid of heights should try the Jigoku Nozoki from the observatory at the mountaintop. While looking down on the stunning view from this spot you can also see Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Bay.

Mt. Nokogiri

Motona, Kyonan-cho, Awa-gun, Chiba 299-1901

4. Katsuura Morning Market

Picture courtesy of Katsuura City

Another popular spot is Katsuura Morning Market, which opens at 6:00 and offers fresh seafood. This is one of the three major morning markets in Japan, along with Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture and Takayama in Gifu Prefecture.

Dishes made by locals and groceries are also sold at the market. There are around seventy shops where visitors can enjoy conversing with the owners.

Japan's Three Great Katsuura Morning Market

319 Hamakatsuura, Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture 299-5233

5. Ubara Utopia

Those who want to escape bustling urban areas and enjoy an ocean view should go to Ubara Utopia. In the Taisho Period, there was an initiative to build vacation homes in the area, which resulted in it being called a utopia.

This is a spot of scenic beauty that is not well-known, even to people living in Japan. Visitors can take a stroll and feel the refreshing sea breeze.

Ubara Utopia

Ubara, Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture 299-5243

6. Katsuura Undersea Park

It is a ten minutes by foot from Ubara Utopia to Katsuura Undersea Park, which features a tower observatory located sixty meters from the shore. Visitors can view the ocean from the top of the tower, and also enjoy seeing fish from the windows underwater.

This is a spot amusing for all ages where guests will be entertained watching the different fish that come and go depending on the season.

Katsuura Undersea Park

174 Yoshio, Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture 299-5242

Minami Boso Cuisine

Trying different food is an important part of travel for many. Check the Minami Boso cuisine listed below and taste some unique dishes.

Seafood

Hokkaido may be famous for its seafood, but the Minami Boso area receives many travelers drawn to the delicious fish here. The seafood from the Sotobo area on the Pacific Ocean side and the Uchibo area on the Tokyo Bay side differ, and visitors can taste them at a more reasonable price compared to Tokyo. Lobster, yellowtail, abalone and alfonsino are caught in the Minami Boso area.

Katsuura Spicy Noodles

You may become addicted to the hot, delicious taste of Katsuura tantan men (spicy noodles), well-known as B-grade gourmet cuisine. A special chili oil, along with shredded onions and pork is added to the noodles in a soy sauce-based soup.

This dish was originally made for the local ama (female diver) and fishermen during winter, to help them warm up after a day of working outside.

In 2015, it became famous after winning the first prize in the B-1 Grand Prix, a competition of B-grade gourmet dishes from all over Japan. Each restaurant uses a different variety of chili oil, noodles, and seasoning so you can enjoy trying multiple bowls.

Peanut Snacks and Souvenirs

Chiba is famous for peanuts. In fact, around eighty percent of Japan's domestic production is in this prefecture. There are many dishes, sweets, and souvenirs made with peanuts, offering a wide variety of items for visitors to choose from.

Peanut cream spread is a product made from high-quality peanuts. You can find sweetened, sugar-free, crushed or smooth types. Try the sugar-free type, which has a nice fragrance and a velvety texture.

Explore Nature and the Sea in Chiba

There are many destinations in Chiba Prefecture where visitors can get away from the crowd, bathe in hot springs, taste fresh seafood, and enjoy a magnificent view. After arriving at Narita Airport, venture to Chiba for a special experience.

Written by Chien
Sponsored by Narita International Airport Promotion Association