Next To Tokyo - 5 Places To Enjoy At Kaihin-Makuhari In Chiba!
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The Kaihin-Makuhari area is halfway between Tokyo Station and Narita International Airport. Cultural, tech, and sporting events and conventions are held here, and visitors can also enjoy shopping and watching sports games. Read to learn more about things to see and do in this seaside area.
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Tokyo, Japan
MATCHA's promotional account for corporate and local government advertising. We aim to provide useful information to our readers in an enjoyable manner.
Kaihin-Makuhari - A Venue for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games
Photo by Pixta
Narita International Airport, one of the Tokyo area's major airports, is located in Chiba. This prefecture is also filled with things to see and do, including Tokyo Disneyland, renowned shrines, and temples.
From Narita Airport, it takes about an hour by train to reach the Kaihin-Makuhari area, which boasts shopping malls, entertainment facilities, and a huge space for events. Makuhari Messe, located 15-minutes from Kaihin-Makuhari Station, is one of the venues for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.
During the Olympic Games, Fencing, Taekwondo, and wrestling will be held at Makuhari Messe. Goalball, sitting volleyball, Taekwondo, and wheelchair fencing are the Paralympic sports that are also scheduled here. Spectators will be astounded by the high level of competition during these exciting games.
This article introduces five recommended spots to visit in the Kaihin-Makuhari area.
1. Makuhari Messe - See Concerts and Conventions
Photo by Pixta
Makuhari Messe hosts various concerts and exhibitions. In 2018, the venue drew 7.2 million visitors.
Picture courtesy of Full House Co. Ltd.
Attendees can try the latest games at Japan Amusement Expo occurring annually in February.
TOKYO AUTO SALON is held every January. Customized vehicles and new cars are exhibited, making it the perfect event for enthusiasts. Visiting the event is an excellent chance to experience modern Japanese technology.
Tickets must be purchased for some events, so be sure see the English event calendar in advance.
2. Spend the Day at Shopping Centers
There is a shopping mall and an outlet mall in the Kaihin-Makuhari area. Both facilities are large enough for visitors to spend the whole day here; why not include shopping for a few days during your trip?
Aeon Mall Makuhari New City
Picture courtesy of Aeon Mall Co., Ltd.
From Kaihin-Makuhari Station, it takes about ten minutes by bus to reach Aeon Mall Makuhari New City, which is run by Aeon, a major retail company in Japan.
The facility consists of four malls: Grand Mall (food, cosmetics, books, and fashion), Family Mall (toy and baby goods), Active Mall (sports items and electronic appliances), and Pet Mall (pet accommodations and a veterinary hospital).
There are more than 350 shops in total, which makes it impossible to explore the entire mall in one day. There is something for visitors of all ages to enjoy with such a large variety of stores.
Free Wi-Fi is also available. Please check the official site to learn how to get to the mall.
Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari - Save Money on Designer Items
Picture courtesy of Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari
Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari is located in front of Kaihin-Makuhari Station, offering a wide variety of name-brand products alongside free Wi-Fi and money exchange machines.
As of November 2019, there are 129 shops, including sports and apparel brands (Asics, Onitsuka Tiger, and BEAMS), Matsumoto Kiyoshi (drugstore), Citizen (wristwatches), and eateries.
3. Entertainment Facilities Great for Families
If you are traveling with children, a family-friendly spot should be included in your itinerary. At the indoor entertainment facilities of Aeon Mall Makuhari New City, there is no need to worry about the weather, so check it out while shopping.
Kandu
Picture courtesy of Aeon Mall Kidsdream, LLC
Kandu is an indoor theme park where children can experience 30 types of occupations such as a pilot, police officer, or even a YouTuber.
There is also a shop to purchase original items while the park hosts activities such as handicraft workshops and magic shows. Some of the payment can be made with Kacchin, a pseudo-currency which can be obtained by work experience at the park.
Visitors need a reservation to participate in the work experience, but same-day tickets will be issued if there are vacancies. Please ask the staff when you visit.
Space Athletic Tondemi
Space Athletic Tondemi is an indoor athletic facility with trampolines, climbing walls, and rope activities that are enjoyable for people of all ages.
In the Kids Area, children under 110 centimeters tall (3 feet, six inches) can play safely on the trampoline, climbing wall, and other athletic equipment.
The Trampoline Area is for adults, with various zones such as the Free zone that enables visitors to jump as high as they want. The Dunk Zone is for those looking to try their hand at dunk shots.
4. Watch Baseball at ZOZO Marine Stadium
Picture courtesy of Chiba Lotte Marines
There are 12 professional baseball teams in Japan. ZOZO Marine Stadium, located a 15-minute walking distance from Kaihin-Makuhari Station, is the home turf of the Chiba Lotte Marines, the team in Chiba Prefecture.
Picture courtesy of Chiba Lotte Marines
Japanese baseball is as excitement-driven as Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. The groups of fans rooting in unison for their respective teams adds to the entertainment. There is a different fight song for each player, and a specific song is played when the home team has a chance to score. The spectators all join in unison to cheer on the players.
The Marines' fans have their own way of rooting. Instead of using a megaphone, which is typically seen at baseball games, they clap their hands and yell as loudly as they can. Huge flags commonly used at soccer games also appear at this stadium—a rare sight at a baseball stadium.
Visitors should enjoy watching the fans along with the game.
5. Take in the Great Outdoors at Makuhari Seaside Park
Photo by Pixta
At Makuhari Seaside Park, visitors can revel in nature, Japanese culture, and sports. The expansive park has seven zones (ZOZO Marine Stadium, mentioned above, is located in Block F).
The highlight is the Japanese garden Mihama-en. The artfully arranged landscape represents mountains, rivers, oceans, and forests, and the changing foliage and greenery allows visitors to appreciate the different seasons. Japanese confections and matcha green tea are served at the in-house tearoom Shourai-tei.
Photo by Pixta
After visiting the Japanese garden, take a stroll around Makuhari Beach, the first artificial beach ever created in Japan.
Enjoy the Kaihin-Makuhari Area
Aeon Mall Makuhari New City. Picture courtesy of Aeon Mall Co., Ltd.
Visitors can go shopping, watch sports, participate in various events, or appreciate the natural surroundings in this area.
Kaihin-Makuhari Station is also conveniently located. It's 30 minutes away from Tokyo Station and 20 minutes from Maihama Station, the nearest station to Tokyo Disneyland. There are also plenty of hotels in this area, making it an ideal place to stay when sightseeing in Tokyo.
Definitely visit these places to enjoy entertainment, shopping, and traveling around Tokyo.
Written by Daiji Okuno
Sponsored by Narita International Airport Promotion Association
Main image courtesy of Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari
MATCHA's promotional account for corporate and local government advertising. We aim to provide useful information to our readers in an enjoyable manner.
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