The Hokuso area, located in the northern part of Chiba Prefecture, is a historical waterway region. During the Edo period, it thrived as a supply area for rice, vegetables, and other foodstuffs,
utilizing water transport.
In the four cities of Sakura, Narita, Sawara, and Choshi, you can still experience the townscapes and scenery that were visited by the people of Edo. These cities retain the atmosphere of the Edo
period.
In 2016, this area was recognized as a Japan Heritage site under the title "Townscapes of Hokuso which Feels Like Edo".
History
Kyu Hotta Residence was built in the Meiji era by Hotta Masatomo, the last lord of the Sakura Domain. Additionally, a garden was created on the southern side of the property.
The residence is significant as a large-scale Japanese-style house that skillfully integrates various reception spaces with different designs to match the garden and views. The
construction is of high quality and completeness, well inheriting traditional techniques from the early modern period.
History
The museum actively incorporates actual materials and detailed model dioramas to clearly present the history and folk culture of the Japanese archipelago from prehistoric and ancient times to the present day. Additionally, several times a year, it hosts special exhibitions and featured exhibitions that reflect the latest research findings.
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History
The memorial building exhibits medical books and instruments that were used at Juntendo during its early days. "Juntendo" was a medical clinic and Dutch medical school established by the Dutch physician Sato Taizen in 1843 when he moved from Edo to Sakura.
Many individuals who supported the medical field during the Meiji era were trained here. Juntendo University traces its roots back to Juntendo Hospital, which was established in Tokyo by Sato Takanaka, the adopted son of Taizen.
History
Facing the streets lined with earthen walls and hedges that retain the atmosphere of the old castle town of Sakura, three samurai residences are currently open to the public: the
former Kawara Residence, the former Tajima Residence, and the former Takei Residence.
All three houses were built in the late Edo period and served as homes for samurai of the Sakura Domain.
Nature
Sakura Furusato Square is a park symbolized by an authentic Dutch windmill. Visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers throughout the year, such as tulips in spring, sunflowers in summer, and
cosmos in autumn.
The park is surrounded by Lake Inbanuma, the largest lake in the prefecture, and beautiful rural landscapes, making it a scenic park where you can enjoy natural views.
Nature
The gently winding path, also known as the "Samurai's Ancient Path," is lined with various types of traditional fences such as "Yotsume-gaki," "Misudare-gaki," and "Teppo-gaki," creating an atmosphere where it feels like a samurai might appear at any moment. Along the slope, there are benches where you can rest and feel the Edo period ambiance.
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Experience
Iinuma Honke is a sake brewery with history of over 300 years. Visitors can enjoy various new experiences at facilities as below.
Magariya: A shop and gallery.
Omoya: A restaurant offering sake and dishes.
Sake Camp: An accommodation where you can stay at the brewery.
Farms: Blueberry farms and more.
History
Sogo Reido Sanctuary is the family temple dedicated to Sogo Sakura (real name: Kiuchi Sogoro), a righteous man from the Edo period who saved farmers suffering from heavy taxes.
Behind the main hall of Sogo Reido, the temple grounds feature a hydrangea garden with various types of hydrangeas, including native varieties, lacecap hydrangeas, and oakleaf
hydrangeas. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful hydrangeas in full bloom during June.
History
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, affectionately known as "Narita's Fudo-sama," is the head temple of the Chisan branch of Shingon Buddhism. With a history spanning over 1,000 years since
its founding, it is one of Japan's most prominent Fudo Myo-o temples, attracting 10 million visitors annually.
Notably, five structures within the temple grounds, including the Three-Storied Pagoda, Niomon Gate, and Gakudo Hall, have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
History
Naritasan Omotesando stretches approximately 800 meters from JR and Keisei Narita Stations to the main gate of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. This street has flourished as a temple town
since the Edo period.
Lined with buildings that retain the atmosphere of the Edo era, there are numerous restaurants serving Narita's famous eel dishes and various souvenir shops. The street is bustling
with visitors year-round, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
Experience
The Museum of Aeronautical Science, located near the south side of Narita Airport, is Japan's first aviation museum.
Inside the museum, you can find displays of actual aircraft engines and datas related to Narita Airport. The museum also features popular interactive areas, such as a large-scale model
flight simulator (requires a ticket and fee).
From the observation room on the fifth floor, visitors can enjoy close-up views of planes arriving from around the world.
Experience
Narita Dream Farm, located in Narita City, is a farm offering a variety of activities. Visitors can interact with various animals such as cows, goats, and rabbits. The farm also
provides unique experiences like cow milking and butter making.
In addition to these activities, the farm features a trolley train, fishing pond, and grass sledding, ensuring a fun and engaging visit for everyone.
Experience
Boso-no-Mura recreates the lifestyles from the primitive and ancient times, as well as from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period. The area is divided into the 'Experience Area,' where you can learn about traditional lifestyles through various hands-on experiences amidst traditional townscapes, and the 'Historic and Natural Learning Hill Area,' which features a group of nationally designated ancient tombs.
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Experience
A small boat trip allows you to leisurely enjoy the townscape designated as a 'National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings' while listening to the boatman's stories. As you ride the boat through the streets filled with the atmosphere of 'Little Edo,' you can make new discoveries.
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Nature
Inubosaki, located at the eastern tip of the Choshi area, is a marine erosion plateau surrounded by the sea on three sides. The sight of the rough waves crashing against the numerous reefs lying beneath the steep cliffs is truly spectacular. Climbing the 99-step spiral staircase of the towering white lighthouse on the cape offers a magnificent view, making it a symbolic attraction of Choshi tourism.
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Nature
From Naarai Town in Choshi City to Gyobu Cape in the neighboring Asahi City, the cliffs stretch for about 10 kilometers, rising 40 to 50 meters high. The sheer cliffs, as if the ground has been cut away, are said to rival the 'White Cliffs' of the Dover Strait between England and France, earning the nickname 'Dover of the East.
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| Spring | Summer | Autumn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sakura |
August / The Sakura Citizen |
October / The Sakura Autumn |
|
| Narita |
April / The Narita Taiko Festival May / The Narita Traditional Performing Arts Festival - Spring Edition |
July / The Narita Gion Festival |
September / The Narita |
| Choshi |
August /The Choshi Minato |
Narita
The Narita Taiko Festival features grand performances of Japanese taiko drumming, which can be considered the origin of Japanese folk performing arts. This festival gathers skilled performers from all over Japan, especially from the Kanto region, and is known as one of Japan's premier taiko festivals.
Narita
The festival, themed 'Encountering Japanese Tradition in the Kabuki Town of Narita,' centers around kabuki performances. It also features an event where various mascot characters from across Japan, including Narita City's own Unari-kun, gather.
Narita
The Narita Gion Festival is a summer festival held to honor the Dainichi Nyorai enshrined in the inner sanctuary of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, which is the principal image of Fudo Myo-o. The festival involves the entire town around Naritasan and features a procession of the temple's mikoshi (portable shrine) and 10 elaborately decorated floats and stalls parading through the city over three days. The event includes performances of traditional dances and music, attracting over 400,000 spectators each year. It is a major event representing early summer in Narita.
Sakura
The Sakura Citizen Fireworks Festival takes place at Sakura Furusato Square on the shores of Lake Inbanuma, with around 20,000 fireworks launched. Every year, many spectators visit, and it is cherished as a summer tradition.
Choshi
As part of the Choshi Minato Matsuri, around 8,000 fireworks are launched from the banks of the Tone River. The spectacular fireworks light up the night sky, captivating many spectators.
Narita
Traditional performing groups from all over Japan, including Awa Odori and Akita Kanto Festival, gather in Narita to show a variety of festivals and dances. From Narita City, the 'Narita Gion Festival,' which has a tradition of over 300 years, and the 'Odori Hanami,' passed down since the Genroku era, also participate.
Sakura
The Sakura Autumn Festival, which heralds the arrival of autumn in Sakura, features a grand parade of floats, sake floats, and mikoshi (portable shrines) through the town over three days. The sight of the floats and sake floats passing each other, accompanied by the unique Sakura Bayashi music and the chants, expresses the distinctive feature of Sakura. The Mikoshi of Makata Shrine, one of the largest in Chiba Prefecture, is carried with vigorous chants, creating a majestic spectacle.
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