王小鈞's Reviews Page 4/38

This is one of the most popular zoos in Chiba and a common destination for school field trips in Japan! You can get there directly by monorail, so it's very convenient. The zoo isn't particularly large, and about 1.5–2 hours should be just right for a leisurely stroll around. I had specifically planned to come see the animals, but it turned out to be a day when the zoo was closed. All I could do was take a photo at the entrance as a keepsake to show that “I came but didn't get in.” I'll find time to come back and see the cute animals next time!

While visiting Makuhari New City, I unexpectedly came across the incredibly spacious Chiba Makuhari Seaside Park! The park’s theme is “a city park surrounded by greenery and the sea.” It consists of seven areas, A through G, and is huge. The expansive lawns make it feel especially open and relaxing as soon as you enter.

In addition to its famous large lawn and Japan’s largest floral clock, the park also has a Japanese garden and tea room with a traditional atmosphere, offering completely different scenery. There are also sports fields, children’s play areas, and other facilities nearby. It’s a great place for families with children to get outside, as well as for walking, relaxing, or spending a leisurely afternoon sitting on the grass.

There were noticeably more people when I visited on a holiday, and the entire park felt lively. It’s really rare to find such a large green space among the high-rise buildings of Makuhari New City!

Akebonoyama Agricultural Park has expansive natural scenery, and the flowers change with the seasons, creating beautiful and distinctive views throughout the year.

There’s none of the noise and bustle of the city, just greenery and fields of flowers as far as the eye can see. Walking through the park with a gentle breeze feels especially relaxing. It’s not only a place to enjoy flowers, but also a great spot for a leisurely walk, taking photos, and slowly appreciating the natural beauty of the Japanese countryside.

There are different flowers to enjoy in every season. If you love plants and flowers and prefer quiet attractions, you really shouldn’t miss it.

On this visit to Sawara, I unexpectedly fell in love with this quiet little place. Strolling slowly along the Ono River, I saw old streetscapes from the Edo to Meiji periods preserved on both sides. Wooden machiya townhouses, old shops, and historic buildings stand one after another, giving the area so much character.

Sawara once prospered through transportation on the Tone River and was so thriving that it was even said to be “better than Edo.” Walking through the streets today, you can still feel traces of its former prosperity.

And compared with popular attractions in Tokyo, it’s really much quieter here! There were hardly any tourists when I visited. Walking slowly along the river and taking photos felt especially relaxing.

I really like this kind of trip, with no pressure to follow an itinerary and no need to squeeze through crowds—just walking slowly, looking around, and experiencing an old town as it really is.

Transportation is actually fairly convenient too, making it a good choice for a short trip in Chiba. It doesn’t have flashy attractions, but it has a charm that makes you want to stay a little longer. Sawara really suits people who enjoy quiet travel.

Visiting Kujukuri Beach in Chiba Prefecture, I was truly stunned by the vast ocean view before me!

Kujukuri Beach stretches for about 60 kilometers along the Pacific Ocean, from Cape Gyobu all the way to Cape Taito, and is one of the largest sandy beaches in Japan. The curved coastline looks like a bent bow, with seemingly endless golden sand as far as the eye can see. There are no reefs along the shore, so the view is extremely open.

It is part of Kujukuri Prefectural Natural Park and has also been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best White Sand and Green Pine Beaches and one of Japan's 100 Best Beaches, which gives you an idea of just how captivating its coastal scenery is.

I was incredibly lucky during this visit and had perfectly clear, sunny weather! The deep blue sky paired with the endless Pacific Ocean was beautiful from every angle, and the sea breeze felt especially pleasant.

I visited Chiba Park in June, right during the blooming season for the Oga lotus. The entire lotus pond was so beautiful that I couldn't help but stop and admire it. Chiba Park has different scenery in every season. In spring, you can enjoy colorful cherry blossoms; summer belongs to the Oga lotus; and in fall, there are also captivating autumn leaves.

The most iconic feature is the Oga lotus, known as one of the “world's oldest lotus flowers.” The best viewing period is usually from late June to mid-July. Soft pink lotus flowers bloom one after another across the pond, surrounded by lush greenery, and they are truly beautiful. I visited in June, just as the lotuses were in full bloom. The lotus pond looked gorgeous, and the whole atmosphere was especially pleasant for a walk in the early morning or when the sunlight was soft.

Chiba Park is also right in the city center and very easy to get to. You don't need to make a special trip to the suburbs to enjoy a large natural landscape within the city. If you're planning a trip to Chiba City, I really recommend coming to see these beautiful Oga lotuses in summer.

When in Katsuura, Chiba, of course you can't miss the famous local Katsuura tantanmen!
This restaurant has great reviews online and is also recommended by locals, so I decided to give it a try—haha!

As expected, it was very popular during mealtime. There were quite a few people, and I waited about 15 minutes before being seated.

Since it was my first time and I didn't know what to order, I went with the basic tantanmen. I also ordered the winter-only stewed offal, which I heard is another popular signature dish here, so of course I had to try it too.

The first thing that hits you when you taste the tantanmen is one word—spicy! It was my first time having Katsuura tantanmen, and I definitely didn't have the courage to try the “extra spicy.” The regular level was already plenty spicy for me, but it was satisfyingly hot, and I couldn't help wanting another bite as I ate.

The winter-only stewed offal was also distinctive. It was simmered until very flavorful, and the piping-hot broth made it especially comforting in winter.

It was my first time trying Katsuura tantanmen. Even though it made me sweat from the heat, it was also a great local culinary experience!

While visiting Ichikawa, I made a special trip to Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine, which has a long history. Since the Heian period, Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine has been revered by samurai families and regarded as an important shrine in Shimosa Province. Walking there from Keisei-Yawata Station or JR Motoyawata Station, I passed through the torii gates and along the approach, and the noise of the city gradually gave way to the strong atmosphere of the shrine.

Continuing along the wide approach and passing through the vermilion Zuishinmon Gate, I came to the solemn main hall farther inside. The entire shrine is simple and peaceful, yet it also has a friendly, natural feeling. Occasionally, you can see local children playing nearby, adding a sense of everyday life to the ancient shrine.

The most impressive sight is the Senbon Ginkgo Tree beside the main hall. Countless trunks extend outward from the base of this enormous ginkgo tree, with branches reaching toward the sky and forming an extremely rare and magnificent shape. This ancient ginkgo tree has also been designated a National Natural Monument. Standing beneath it and looking up, you can truly feel the power left behind by the passage of time.

The ancient history, solemn shrine buildings, and lush greenery lining both sides of the approach make this more than just a place of worship. It feels like a historic oasis hidden within the streets of Ichikawa.

The Tone Canal connects the Tone River and the Edo River and is about 8.5 kilometers long. Along its banks is a roughly 2.4-hectare green park with a very peaceful atmosphere.

What makes this place special is not only its beautiful waterfront scenery, but also its connection to the history of modern civil engineering in Japan. The canal was built in Meiji 23 (1890), mainly as a bypass route for water transportation, and it played an important role in logistics for many years.

In the park, you can see a stone monument and information boards honoring the Dutch engineer Mulder. As you stroll along the paths and occasionally step onto a floating bridge to take in the canal views, you can also sense the traces of the era when goods were transported by water.

The Tone Canal is also a well-known local cherry blossom viewing spot. During cherry blossom season, the waterfront is lined with soft pink blossoms, creating a very charming view.

Unfortunately, I visited in the summer and missed the cherry blossoms, but the weather was beautiful that day. The blue sky, greenery, and peaceful waterfront came together to make it a very pleasant place for a leisurely walk.

Tucked away in Tokyo, Aso Shrine is guarded by enormous cypress trees and has a long history spanning more than 1,400 years, with a peaceful, rustic atmosphere. I came here especially to see the “golden needle tree,” which is said to have been growing here since 940 AD. Even after more than a thousand years, it still stands quietly within the shrine grounds, making you marvel at the vitality of nature and history. Perhaps because the location is relatively remote and transportation is not as convenient as at Tokyo’s popular attractions, there were surprisingly almost no tourists even though I visited on a holiday, making the entire shrine exceptionally quiet. With no bustling crowds or noisy commercial atmosphere, it was easier to feel the tranquility and solemnity of an ancient Japanese shrine.