Source: Hiroaki Kaneko
How many times have you heard the phrase that “there is nothing interesting to do in Chiba.” However, most people would differ with you on this because it all depends on your approach. Located alongsideTokyo and surrounded by river from all sides, Chiba is a great picnic spot. Once you are in Chiba, you can visit the Stadiums, parks, restaurants and many other places. Here is the list of the top 30 things to do in Chiba:
1. Watch a Game at Chiba Marine Stadium
If you are a die-hard baseball fan, Chiba Marine Stadium is the place to be. This place was opened in 1990 and has the capacity of 30,000 people. It was originally opened when Madonna, the popular pop singer, sang on her Ambition Tour. Baseball matches, whether they be from the minor or the major leagues, are always going on at the venue. The game quality is quite good. So you should go and watch a match at the stadium.
Information
- Name: Tsutomu Ito
- Address: 1-Mihama, Mihama-Ku, Chiba 261-0022 Chiba Prefecture
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Website: http://www.marines.co.jp/stadium/
2. Visit Chiba Zoological Park
The Chiba Zoological park is located in the Chiba prefecture, on the eastern side of Tokyo. The park has been operational since 1985 and includes about seven different areas, which are Zoological Hall, Steppe Zone, Children’s Zoo, Monkey Zone, The small animals zone, ancestors of domestic animals zone and avian an Aquatic zone.
You should visit the zoo because it is cleaned and well-maintained. Animal lovers will fall in love with the whole place. You can bring your kids or friends for a hang out at the zoo.
Information
- Name: Chiba Zoological Park
- Address: 2800, Wakaba Ward, Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, 263-0012, Japan
- Opening hour: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Website: https://www.city.chiba.jp/zoo/
3. Go Fishing at Tone River
Tone River is a river located in the Chiba region of Tokyo. With a length of 322 kilometers and a drainage area of 16,000 km, it certainly is one of the largest rivers in Japan. The place is a great tourist attraction and is given the nickname Brando Taro. The river was, once very notorious for its flood, but recently the situation has been under control. So just take a fishing pole, rent a boat and go fishing in the area.
Information
- Name: Tone River
- Address: 34-1-401, 3-chome, Nisshin-cho, Kita-ku, Saitama 331-0823, Saitama Prefecture
- Opening hour: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Website: http://toneriverjam.jimdo.com/
4. Visit Hoki Museum
Well, paying a visit to Hoki Museum in Japan is another sure way to get rid of the boredom. It was inaugurated in November 2010 and is the first Japanese museum dedicated to Realist painting. Some people have called it the world’s greatest museum. There is no second-rate art, the art is all pure and realistic. You can visit the museum with your friends and family.
Information
- Name: Masao Hoki
- Address: Japan, 267-0067, Chiba Prefecture, Chiba, Midori Ward, Asumigaoka, 3-15
- Opening hour: 10:00 a.m – 5:30 p.m
- Website: http://www.hoki-museum.jp/en/
5. Hang out at Chiba Port Park
Chiba Port Park is another must-see place in Chiba. It is located at the Chiba port. You can bring your family, friends and kids to this park and enjoy the open weather. You can do many things in the park but you should definitely visit the Chiba Port Tower. It is located in Chiba park and has a height of 125 m. The tower consists of four stories and you get a beautiful view from the topmost story. The parking spot is also quite easily accessible in the place.
Information
- Name: Chiba Port Park
- Address: 1 Chuoko, Chuo-Ku, Chiba 260-0024, Chiba Prefecture
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m – 6:30 p.m
- Website: http://chibajapan.info/chiba-port-tower/
6. Surf at Onjuku Beach
This sandy beach of Tokyo is one of the best ways to escape the heat of the weather and learn to surf. You would get surfing lessons in English, a rental surf suit, and surfboard. You can even stay there for a while if you are too worn out from the surfing. The beach has plenty of room for everybody. The place has such a good vibe and you would definitely enjoy your time there.
Information
- Name: Onjuku Beach
- Address: Isumi-gun, Onjuku-machi, Chiba Perfecture
- Opening hour: 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m
- Website: www.flyingsumo.jp.
7. Visit Katori Shrine
The Katori Shrine is quite a popular shrine in the Chiba region. It is the head of around 400 different shrines all over the country. This shrine is traditionally reconstructed every 20 years. You should visit this shrine as you will learn a lot of new things and see life in a whole different perspective. The shrine building is beautifully built. So this is worth it visit.
Information
- Name: Yasusada Iizasa
- Address: 1697-1 Katori, Katori 287-0017, Chiba Prefecture
- Opening hour: 8:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m
8. Chiba City Museum of Science
Well, if you are feeling a little geeky, then Chiba City Museum of Science is your go to place. You would never be fed up of the science of the museum. Different sections of the museum, like Planetarium, Wonder Town, Techno Town and Geo Town are all quite enjoyable. Kids will especially enjoy this place. There are many hand-on-activities for the kids there.
Information
- Name: Chiba City Museum of Science
- Address: 4-5-1, Chuo, Chuo-Ku, Chiba 260-0013, Chiba Prefecture
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m – 4:30 p.
- Website: http://www.kagakukanq.com/
9. Visit Chiba Marines Museum
How about paying a visit to the Marines Museum in Chiba. This museum was actually built in honor of Chiba Lotte Marines, a professional baseball team. The museum is located next to the baseball team’s stadium and is a good experience for baseball fans of every age. There is a marine baseball stadium recreation for younger fans too. There is also a place for kids to play and a quieter hall of fame section. The museum is just a 20-minute walk from the parking area.
Information
- Name: Chiba Marines Museum
- Address: 1, Mlhama, Mlhama-Ku, Chiba, Chiba Prefecture
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m – 5 p.m.
- Website: http://www.marines.co.jp/
10. Visit Chiba City Tourist Information Center
Seeing that you are touring Chiba, visiting the Chiba City Tourist Information center might be helpful. You can get all the useful information there, like the location of museums, restaurants and other things. You can also get their expert opinion on traveling. The only defect of the office is that there is no Wifi or PC there. However, they do have brochures and they will explain the area clearly to you.
Information
- Name: Norio Saigusa
- Address: 1-4-11, Shinchiba, Chuo-Ku, Chiba 260-0031, Chiba Prefecture
- Opening hour: 10:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m
- Website: http://www.marines.co.jp/
11. Enjoy Yourself at Toei Hero World
Toei Hero World is accessible to families and adult fans. It is located in Tokyo and is probably the first and only place for celebrating Toei’s films and heroes. The park was opened in December 2013 and mainly focuses on 1971 heroes like Nigo and Kamen Rider Ichigo. You can also play different games there which cost from 300 to 500 yen per play.
Information
- Name: Norio Saigusa
- Address: 1-5 Toyosuna, Mihama Ku, Aaeon Mall, Makuhari Shintoshin, Family Mall 3F, Chiba 261-0024, Chiba Prefecture
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m – 10:00 p.m
- Website: http://toei-heroworld.jp/index.php
12. Visit Tokyo DisneySea
If you are visiting Chiba and you don’t visit Tokyo DisneySea, you haven’t done justice to yourself. This place is like a small world of its own. It was opened in September 2001 with a cost of over 335 billion yen. And it is worth every penny. You can visit different resorts here, like Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta and American Waterfront
Information
- Name: Tokyo Disneysea
- Address: 1-13, Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture 279-0031, Japan
- Opening hour: 8:30 a.m – 10:00 p.m
- Website: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/
13. Visit Tokyo Autosalon:
You should visit Chiba during the months of October and November because that’s when the Tokyo Auto Salon festival is held. The Auto Salon features tons of different vehicles with accessories to purchase. There are also custom shops, vocational schools and automotive businesses in the place. The staff is quite friendly and helps you to find whatever you are looking for. Different celebrities are also invited to the show. So you should visit the place because who knows, you might come across an important celebrity.
Information
- Name: Akio Toyoda
- Address: 2-1, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Chiba Perfecture
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Website: http://www.tokyoautosalon.jp/2016/en/
14. Visit Makuhari Messe:
Makuhari Messe center is a convention center located outside Tokyo in Chiba. The center was opened in 1989 and hosts many technology events. You can visit the place on an average day or visit it on certain events because as it turns out, the place is used for music and dance festivals every year. The building itself is quite large and well-organized. Everything you need is within your reach.
Information
- Name: Makuhari Messe
- Address: 2-1, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba 261-0023, Chiba Perfecture
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Website: https://www.m-messe.co.jp/en/
15. Hang out At Makuhari Kaihin Park:
Running through the center of the Makuhari District of Chiba is this beautiful place which serves the purpose of soothing and relaxing the atmosphere. The park is made into a T-section which divides it into two halves; the “central section” and the “seaside section”. You can visit the place with family and friends and enjoy the nice view of the sea flowing across Tokyo and Mount Fuji.
Information
- Name: Makuhari Kaihin Park
- Address: 2-116, Hibino, Mihama-ku, Chiba 261-0021, Chiba Perfecture
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Website: http://www.seibu-la.co.jp/makuhari
16. Visit Sakura Castle Park:
With evergreen leaves and trees, the Sakura Castle park extends into the ruins of Sakura Castle, which was made in 1610. You will find many interesting and awe-inspiring things as you stroll through the park, like a tea-ceremony house, Uba-ga-ike-Pond and the remains of an ancient castle. The whole place is kind of unreal and you will feel like you have come centuries back because everything here dates back to centuries.
Information
- Name: Sakura Castle Park
- Address: Jonaimachi, Sakura 285-0017, Chiba Perfecture
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Website: http://sakuraseeing.city.sakura.lg.jp/en
17. Pay a Visit to Chiba Gokoku Shrine:
The Gokoku Shrines are spread all over Japan, which pay tribute to the fallen and dead reverend soldiers. The place is mainly known for its quiet atmosphere and you would definitely enjoy your time there if you like calm and quietness. Plus, it is also adjacent to the Chiba Park and in walking distance from Chiba Station. You can freely bring your family and friends and enjoy the quiet and calm air.
Information
- Name: Chiba Gokoku Shrine
- Address: 3-16-1 Benten, Chuo-Ku, Chiba 260-0045, Chiba Perfecture
- Opening hour: 7:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
18. Shop at Chiba Lalaport:
This is quite a popular shopping Mall which can be accessed by a 12-minute train ride from Maihama Station. This mall was originally opened in 1981 but then underwent many changes, which led to its current status of over 460 shops, making it one of Japan’s largest shopping malls. There are all kinds of stores for adults and kids. Just visit the place yourself and see how amazing it is.
Information
- Name: Chiba Lalaport
- Address: 2 Chome-1-1 Hamacho, Fanabashi, Chiba Perfecture 273-8530, Japan
- Opening hour: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
19. Visit Chiba Yoro Valley:
Chiba Yoro Valley is a worth it place to visit. The Valley resides in the Southern part of Chiba and has Osawamat-no-taki falls, which are also known as mirage falls. The waterfall in the region is one of the biggest waterfalls in Japan. A walkway is present, parallel to the waterfall where you can enjoy yourself as you walk along the path. You can do different activities in the region, from camping to fishing to dining.
Information
- Name: Chiba Yoro Valley
- Address: Otaki, Isumi District, Chiba Perfecture, 298-0216, Japan
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
20. Dine at Ocean Table:
Situated right at the Chiba’s Central Harbor, Ocean table restaurant serves the freshest sea foods. You should definitely check out the special recipes when you visit this restaurant. There are Western, Chinese and Japanese foods in the restaurant. Another plus point of the place is that the atmosphere is quite good. There are about 260 seats, but they are arranged in such a way that it doesn’t get crowded even during rush hours. So you should dine at this restaurant.
Information
- Name: Martino De Sousa
- Address: 1-28-6 Chuoko, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-0024, Chiba Perfecture
- Opening hour: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
21. View Sawteeth Mountain:
You don’t want to miss anything on your visit to Chiba. So why not view the Sawteeth mountain? In fact, don’t just view the mountains, go hiking on them. To view the mountain in a better way, you can also use a cable car which takes you 223 m above sea height. You can enjoy the spectacular views of the mountain from here. You can also do a one-hour hike at the place if you are feeling energetic.
Information
- Name: Sawteeth Mountain
- Address: 4052-1 Kanaya Futtsu Shi Chiba Ken
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
22. Enjoy Steaks at Outback Steakhouse Makuhariten:
The food at Outback Steakhouse is just breathtaking. You can eat beers and steaks of every kind. Plus the seafood plus chopstick food will enthrall you more. So if you have never been to an outback steakhouse before, this is your chance to go there. From the steaks to the vegetables to the salad, what’s not there to love about this restaurant.
Information
- Name: Outback Steakhouse Makuhariten
- Address: 1-8, Mihama-ku, Chiba shi Chiba 261-0021 Japan
- Opening hour: 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Website: http://outbacksteakhouse.co.jp/en/
23. Dine at Pantry Coyote:
Pantry Coyote restaurant in Chiba is another worth visiting restaurant. The restaurant mainly serves American and Dining bar burgers. They really have a big collection of American burger recipes and you would start to wonder if you really are in Chiba. You can come here alone or with family and friends. The only defect is that the place doesn’t have a parking lot of its own. So you would have to park in the nearby buildings.
Information
- Name: Tsutomu Ito
- Address: 3-11-11 Chuo, Chuo-Ku Chiba, Chiba
- Opening hour: 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
24. Shop at Aeon Mall Makuhari:
The Aeon Mall in Chiba is probably the best shopping place in all of the Chiba because of its diverse nature. It is made of four lifestyle malls, including Pet Mall, Active Mall, Grand Mall and Family Mall. The main idea behind the mall was to serve as the focal point of the community, where visitors would come and buy the necessities of daily life. The Mall is quite big with a space of 7,300 cars in the parking lot. So you should go shopping there.
Information
- Name: Aeon Mall Makuhari
- Address: 1-1 Toyosuna, Mihama Ward, Chiba, Chiba Perfecture 261-8535, Japan
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Website: http://makuharishintoshin-aeonmall.com./
25. Visit Mitsui Outlet Park:
Located in Makuhari, Mitsui Outlet Park is another worth visiting site. There are a lot of shopping places in the park. They also offer special discounts on certain items. To keep the atmosphere bearable, special arrangements are done to survive the winter and summer. The restrooms in the area are super clean. Whenever you get hungry of moving around, you can eat at the different eating places beside it.
Information
- Name: Mitsui Outlet Park
- Address: 2-6-1 Hibino, Mihama-Ku, Chiba 292-0008, Chiba Perefecture
- Opening hour: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Website: https://www.mitsuioutletparkklia.com/
26. Visit Chiba City Museum of Art:
The Chiba City Museum of Art is a museum in Chiba City established in 1995. It looks simple from the outside but is quite a complex facility. There are many modern Japanese Prints like Moku Hanga, wood block prints, which will amaze you. However, there are some artworks which are nothing more than a waste of time. Still, if you have an interest in painting, you should visit the museum.
Information
- Name: Chiba Museum of Art
- Address: 3-10-8, Chuo, Chuo-Ku, Chiba
- Opening hour: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Website: http://www.ccma-net.jp/index.html
27. Visit Mother Moon Cafe:
You would have a pleasant time once you visit the Mother Moon Café. As brilliant as the shop is from the outside, it is even better from the inside. Different types of foods and cakes are served here. You can also enjoy American style coffee here. The interior music is designed to soothe and calm you. You can hang out at the Café with your friends and family just to kill the time.
Information
- Name: Mother Moon Cafe
- Address: Shinminato, Mihamaku, Chiba 261-0002, Chiba Perfecture
- Opening hour: 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Website: http://www.mothermoon.co.jp/
28. Visit Senyoji Temple:
If you are fascinated with the history of Japan, you should definitely visit Senyoji temple. It is present on the marine mountain Chiba Dera nine. You will remember and feel the history of the place the moment you step in. There are large gates present at the precinct. Although there is no actual parking lot, however, you can park on the precincts at the back.
Information
- Name: Tsutomu Ito
- Address: 161 Chibaderacho, Chuo-Ku, Chiba 260-0844, Chiba Perfecture
- Opening hour: 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
29. Visit Ichiran:
Well, what is the fun of visiting Chiba if you don’t eat ramen, the food which made Japan popular throughout the World, and what better place to eat Ramen than Ichiran. There are over 40 specialists working at the restaurant to keep the taste up-to-date. The first thing you need to do when you get there is buy tickets. You can choose your own table counter. The staff is also quite friendly and the dishes noodles are just delicious.
Information
- Name: Ichiran
- Address: 2-24-1, Fujimi, Chuoku, Chiba 260-0015, Chiba Prefecture
- Opening hour: 24 hours
- Website: https://www.ichiran.co.jp/english/
30. Showa No Mori Park:
All the traveling must take a toll on you. So how about ending your day by visiting Showa No Mori Park. Here you can rest and calm yourself after a long day. The place is mainly designed for kids with pendulum swings and other cradles. However, adults will also enjoy the place. The only defect is that the parking place cost is quite high, 600 jpy for just 5 min.
Information
- Name: Showa No Mori Park
- Address: 22 Tokecho, Midori-Ku, Chiba, 261-0061, Chiba Prefecture
- Opening hour: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
After seeing all these different things to do in Chiba, you would agree that Chiba is the place to be. You should visit the museums, restaurants and parks present in Chiba. However, don’t get caught in all the excitement. Take rest whenever you feel tired because you don’t want to lose your sanity at the end of the tour.
Have a good trip and travel!
