Chiba



Chiba (千葉) is the largest city in Chiba prefecture, Japan. Practically speaking, it can be considered a large suburb of Tokyo.

Understand
The name "Chiba" may sound sexy to fans of martial artist Sonny Chiba (who actually hails from Fukuoka) or William Gibson's science fiction novels, since the "Tokyo-Chiba urban sprawl" is where much of Neuromancer (ISBN 0441569595) is set. Chiba is also where the anime Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai (俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない, lit. My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute) takes place, and you can see the Chiba Urban Monorail in the opening of the anime.

Alas, Gibson's dystopian cyberpunk visions are difficult to correlate with the reality of modern-day Chiba, which is mostly an unremarkable suburban city notably lacking in "techno-criminal subcultures". Still, the area still makes a reasonably interesting day trip from Tokyo if you have time to spare and prefer high technology toys over mouldering temples, and Oyumino has some nature trails for a spot of hiking.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

By plane
The JR Narita Line links Chiba directly to Narita's international airport. A few N'EX limited expresses stop at Chiba on their way to Tokyo, but usually the ordinary rapid service trains are a better bet.

By train
Train is the obvious means of arrival, as a dense web of routes links Chiba to Tokyo and points in the vicinity.


 * The JR Sōbu Rapid Line (総武快速線) runs from Tokyo Station's underground platforms to Chiba station via Kinshichō and Tsudanuma. Rapid trains reach Chiba in approximately 40 minutes at a cost of ¥620; you have the option, especially during the evening rush, of shelling out an additional ¥810 for a reserved seat on a limited express train, which make the run to Chiba in as little as 25 minutes.
 * The JR Chuō-Sōbu Local Line (中央・総武線「各駅停車」) runs directly across the Yamanote Line loop, via Shinjuku and Akihabara. Local trains take about 70 minutes to reach Chiba from Shinjuku on a regular service; this is shaved a little if you change to a Sobu Rapid train at Kinshicho. In either case the fare is ¥780.
 * The JR Keiyō Line (京葉線) runs from Tokyo Station to Chiba Minato and Soga stations along the coast (45 minutes, ¥740), via Maihama (Tokyo Disneyland), Nishi-Funabashi and Kaihin-Makuhari.
 * The private Keisei Chiba Line (京成千葉線) runs into Chiba-Chuō (千葉中央) station from Tsudanuma station on the Keisei Main Line (from Ueno and Nippori).

By bus
Airport Limousine buses link Chiba to Haneda and Narita Airports.

By monorail
The two lines of the suspended Chiba Urban Monorail (千葉都市モノレール), the world's longest suspended monorail, are an attraction in themselves, connecting the port (千葉みなと Chiba Minato) to Chiba station and then branching out to the northwest and northeast.

See




Kaihin-Makuhari
On the western outskirts of the city in Mihama Ward and accessible on the JR Keiyo line (Kaihin-Makuhari Station, 海浜幕張駅), this is a showcase "city of the future", similar to Tokyo's Odaiba but grander and more artificial in scope.



Oyumino

 * Four seasons roads (四季の道) There are four nature trails named Spring Road, Summer Road, Autumn Road and Winter Road. If you go to Spring Road in spring, you can enjoy beautiful flowers and plants bloom in spring. Some people just walk through and some people jog in these roads.
 * Sakura Park (さくら公園) is a park which has many beautiful cherry blossom trees.When spring comes, a lot of people come to enjoy seeing them.
 * Izumiya park (泉谷公園) has fireflies in this park, but you cannot see them often because they have been protected carefully.
 * Oyumi-cho fireworks festival (生実町花火大会) is one of the biggest festivals in Oyumi-cho and is held in August every year. About 3500 fireworks are launched, and countless viewers enjoy dancing and having traditional foods there.
 * Rokutsu Temple (六通神社) was built in 1677 (the Edo era). At that time, many farmers tried to develop this area and building the temple was one of their activities. It is not so huge but has been loved by local people. In September 2007, Chiba was hit by a typhoon, and the temple was destroyed, but people living in the area decided to use the community chest for its restoration. Finally, it was repaired and reborn by local people. It has been a symbol of Oyumino and is still cherished.

Do

 * Baseball Marines fans are considered to be the most enthusiastic in Japan, something immediately recognizable during the bottom of the first inning by fans of MLB ball. Also unique to Japanese ball, beer is sold primarily by young women dressed up in uniform carrying large tanks on their backs. Marine Stadium is located on the water, a 5-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari station and tickets prices as of 2007 begin at ¥1800. It is advisable not to get tickets in right field unless you want to be surrounded by overly jubilant fans.
 * Cinema There is a movie theatre right next to the Keisei Miramare Hotel, about a 10-minute walk from Chiba Station, that shows major first run western (mostly American) movies in English (with Japanese subtitles).
 * Cruises heading (according to the brochure) "into the heart of the industrial port area" are available from Chiba Port. No signs of Gibson's shoals of styrofoam though.
 * Football There's a stadium in Soga- take the Uchibo or Sotobo line from Chiba, only 2 stops- which will be home to JEF United, one of the most exciting teams in the JLeague. The stadium is less than a 10-min walk from the West exit of Soga station.

Eat

 * Around Chiba station There's no shortage of places to eat in the vicinity of the central station. If sushi is your thing, head for the restaurant in Perie, the underground mall beneath the station area. Just go down the stairs immediately in front of the ticket gates at the station's east exit.


 * The Chiba Station building is a good spot to eat pasta, sweets, and so on. If you want to eat lunch, you will find many restaurants on C1 street. For example, there is a steak restaurant, Hokaben (a Japanese bento shop), Goemon (a pasta restaurant), and Sukiya (Japanese meat dish on rice). On Sunday, a lot of people come to the area, so the restaurants are crowded. However, there is usually enough space.


 * Western Food There are several western-style restaurants in and nearby Chiba for Americans who are feeling a little homesick and need a break from the excellent Japanese food found in Chiba. Many nonchain restaurants that purport to have Western food will be a disappointment to Americans. One such example is Upper Float, near Chiba Station, which bills itself as a Mexican restaurant, but is not at all authentic to Mexican or Tex-Mex food. It does have serviceable margaritas, and is a popular hangout for expats - mostly British and Australian male English teachers in their 20s and early 30s, and the Japanese women who come there to meet them. The best bet for a full-service American restaurant is Outback Steakhouse, in Kaihin-Makuhari. They have menus in English, and the atmosphere and food is exactly like that found in an American Outback Steakhouse.

Drink

 * There is a fun gaijin-friendly bar/dance club called Ocean Deep 5 min from Chiba Station. You will see the blue neon lights reading Ocean Deep when exiting the train. Different theme every night from belly dancing, salsa, and DJs costume parties. Good food and a vast variety of special drinks.
 * There is a good, gaijin-friendly bar called "The Joint", which is about 15 min from Chiba Station. During the football season you can catch live Premiership games and there is usually a DJ playing something funky. They serve actual pints if you drink Kilkenny- a real breath of fresh air compared to the usual nama biru served in every izakaya.
 * On the 22nd floor of the Sen (1000) City Tower (about 5 min from JR Chiba) there is an izakaya called Amataro. It's a chain, so don't expect anything unusual in terms of food or drink, but the high level offers a nice view of Chiba city.

Go next

 * Surrounding Chiba Prefecture offers an escape from technological utopia.
 * Tokyo Disneyland Resort, a stop on the railway between Tokyo and Chiba, offers a return to it. Take the JR Musashino Line or JR Keiyo Line. Get off at JR Maihama Station (South Exit).