Located just a short distance from Tokyo, Chiba Prefecture is a great place for those who love road trips by the sea. It is also very accessible from Narita International Airport.
There are many places worth visiting, from the beautiful coastal scenery to the unique local cuisine. This article provides routes that allow you to enjoy all of Chiba’s charms in a one-day road trip itinerary.
Chiba Prefecture Road Trip Schedule
Here is a sample road trip schedule for this article.
- DepartureTokyo Area or Narita International Airport
- Mt. Nokogiri
- Lunch TimeKanaya Port
- Chiba Fornia
- Inubosaki Lighthouse
- GoalTokyo Area or Narita International Airport
Departure
In this article, we will tell you two ways to access the site, one from Tokyo and the other from Narita Airport.
- staying somewhere around Tokyo
- Rent a car in Tokyo (assuming departure at 9:00 a.m.)
- visiting directly from overseas or somewhere in japan
- Rent a car at Narita Airport (assuming departure at 9:00 a.m.)
If you want to drive while taking in the ocean breeze, we recommend a sports car such as the Mazda MX-5 (Roadster) or Toyota 86. Be sure to try renting a car!
Mt. Nokogiri
Basic Information
- Address: 4052-1 Kanaya, Futtsu, Chiba, Japan
- Open Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Admission: Adults 700JPY, Children 400JPY
- Ropeway: Adults 950JPY (round trip),
- Parking: Yes (fee required)
How to enjoy
Mt. Nokogiri, which rises 329 meters above sea level, is famous for its sheer cliffs and the spectacular view of “Jigoku-nozoki” (peering into hell). It is also famous for the Great Buddha, one of the largest stone Buddhas in Japan. The summit can be reached by mountain trail or ropeway. For this road trip, we recommend the ropeway to save time!
Attraction of Driving
On the way through the Tokyo Bay Aqualine and Route 127, you can enjoy the scenery along the sea.
Access from Tokyo area to Mt. Nokogiri
- Route: Tokyo Bay Aqualine → Tateyama Expressway → Route 127
- Time required: about 1 hour
- Points: It is recommended to take a break at “Umihotaru PA” on the Aqua-line. You can enjoy the spectacular view of the sea.
Access from Narita Airport to Mt. Nokogiri
- Route: Higashi-Kanto Expressway → Tateyama Expressway → Route 127
- Time required: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Points: As a starting point from the airport, take the Higashi-Kanto Expressway for a smooth ride. It is recommended to get a drink at a convenience store on the way.
Kanaya Port
Basic Information
- Address: 231-1, Kanaya, Futtsu, Chiba, Japan
- Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (depending on store)
- Parking: Paid parking available
How to enjoy
This port town offers fresh seafood dishes, and “fried fish” and “hamayaki” are especially popular. You can enjoy excellent sashimi dishes at restaurants along the sea.
Recommended Restaurants
「Kanaya Shokudo」is a recommended restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes.
Access from Mt. Nokogiri to Kanaya Port.
- Route: Heading south on Route 127
- Time required: About 5 minutes
- Points: It is very close to Kanaya Port from the foot of Mt. Nokogiri
Chiba Fornia
Basic Information
- Address: 36-1 Minamisode, Sodegaura, Chiba, Japan
- Access: On Route 16 near Sodegaura Seaside Park
- Opening hours: 24 hours a day (nighttime visits are possible, but we recommend visiting during daylight hours)
- Parking: Free parking available
How to enjoy
Chiba Fornia is a spectacular spot featuring rows of palm trees reminiscent of the West Coast of the United States. It is a popular spot on SNS as a place to take pictures with your car while driving along the coast. In the evening, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the palm trees.
We also have an article featuring Chiba Fornia, if you are interested!
Attraction of Driving
While driving on National Route 16, visitors can fully enjoy the scenery of palm trees lining the coastline.
Access from Tokyo area to Mt. Nokogiri
- Route: Route 127 → Route 16
- Time required: Approx. 50 minutes (40km)
- Points: You can enjoy a beautiful drive along the coast on the way to Chiba Fornia.
Inubosaki Lighthouse
Basic Information
- Address: 9576-2, Inubozaki, Choshi, Chiba, Japan
- Opening hours: 8:30-17:00
- Admission: 300JPY
- Parking: Free parking available
How to enjoy
This lighthouse is located at the easternmost tip of the Kanto region and offers a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. It is especially recommended to visit during the beautiful sunset hours.
Attraction of Driving
You can enjoy the scenery of the Pacific Ocean coastline while driving on Route 128.
Access from Tokyo area to Mt. Nokogiri
- Route: Route 126 → Route 286
- Time required: About 2 hours
- Points: Once on Route 286, you can enjoy a drive along the coast. A side trip to Kujukuri Beach on the way is also attractive.
one’s way back
From Inubozaki Lighthouse, take the Higashi Kanto Expressway to Tokyo or Narita Airport (scheduled arrival around 7:00 p.m.)
Seasonal Highlights
- Spring: Cherry blossoms and rape blossoms on Mt. Nokogiri
- Summer: Sunset at Chiba Fornia and fresh seafood at Kanaya Port
- Autumn: Autumn leaves on Mt. Nokogiri and refreshing autumn scenery at the Inubosaki Lighthouse
- Winter: Clear skies from the Inubozaki Lighthouse and the distant view of Mt.Fuji
Points to note for road trips in Chiba Prefecture
- The Tokyo Bay Aqualine tends to be crowded on weekends and during consecutive holidays, so an early start is recommended.
- The trail on Mt. Sawtooth Mountain has many steep sections, so be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes.
- Please be careful to allocate your time carefully, as Kanaya Port and Inubosaki Lighthouse close earlier in the day.
Summary
Chiba Prefecture is an ideal area for a road trip, with easy access from Tokyo and Narita Airport, spectacular seaside scenery, and local delicacies. In this article, we have proposed a one-day itinerary that takes in four spots: Sawtooth Mountain, Kanaya Port, Chiba Fornia, and Inubosaki Lighthouse.
However, the plan introduced in this article is only an example. Feel free to customize it according to your time, the number of people visiting, and your objectives. There are many other attractive spots in Chiba Prefecture, and you can have fun creating your own route.
We hope you enjoy a wonderful road trip in Chiba Prefecture by referring to this article!
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