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Foreign Languages > Chiba International Information Square - To foreign residents - > Chiba Nanohana News > Chiba Nanohana News (Past Issues) > Chiba Nanohana News (February 2021)
Update: March 19, 2024
I. Charm of Chiba II. Exhibitions and Concerts
Since long ago, Strawberries have been cultivated in Chiba Prefecture, making it one of the top producers of strawberries in Japan. Eating them raw, as a topping on cake, or as a jam, there are many kinds of ways to enjoy strawberries! Now’s the time to give Chiba’s strawberries a try!
The main areas of strawberry production are Asahi City, Sanmu City, Choshi City, Tateyama City, and Togane City. The cultivars are the standard “Tochiotome” breed of strawberry, and “Akihime” strawberries, which are pleasantly sweet. The “Beni-Hoppe” breed has a good balance of sweetness and acidity, while “Aiberry” strawberries are known for their large size. “Shinku-no-Misuzu” strawberries are dark in color down to their flesh and are rich in sweetness, aroma, and taste. The Chiba-bred “Fusanoka” variety has a nice, sweet fragrance. Lastly, there is the “CHI-BA+BERRY,” another Chiba-bred strawberry, which is large, sweet, and moderately tart.
After a long period of development, the Chiba Prefecture Agricultural and Forestry Research Center debuted the “CHI-BA+BERRY,” an original strawberry breed of the Prefecture, in 2017. The “CHI-BA+BERRY” breed is known for its large size and juiciness. In addition, it has a nice sweetness and is slightly tart. “CHI-BA+BERRY” strawberries have a perfect, conical shape with a bright red color. They can consistently be harvested, especially in early spring from March.
Because strawberries don’t last very long, it is best to eat them within the same day of buying them. When preserving strawberries, cover them with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge as is, without washing them. They can be kept for up to 2-3 days. When making jams or other confectioneries, put the strawberries in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer. The nutritional value will be preserved for up to two weeks.
When buying and choosing strawberries, please look out for the following:
Information on Ordering agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery Products from Chiba Prefecture / Distribution and Marketing Division, Chiba Prefecture (Japanese)
Strawberry farm takeout information / Distribution and Marketing Division, Chiba Prefecture (Japanese)
Information about Chiba’s strawberries / Distribution and Marketing Division, Chiba Prefecture (Japanese)
Let us introduce some carefully selected products from Chiba Prefecture that you can buy from home. Why don’t you enjoy your time at home with some of Chiba’s specialties?
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Representing Chiba Prefecture, Chiba’s brand-name Kazusa Wagyu Beef is known for its fine, tender meat and ideal balance of “sashi.” The fat from the beef is the key to its flavor, leaving a mild umami on your tongue.
Inquiries: Kazusa Wagyu Kobo TEL: 0120-09-2981 (Japanese)
Online shop: Kazusa Wagyu Kobo
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In the Taisho era, the Narashino Prisoner of War Camp in Narashino City accommodated German soldiers who were captured by the Japanese during World War I. Amongst these captured German soldiers, there were artisans who would make sausages at the camp. After the secret recipe for sausages was passed along throughout the country, Narashino City was called the “The Place Where Japanese Sausages are Handed Down.”
Inquiries: Narashino Chamber of Commerce and Industry TEL: 047-452-6700 (Japanese)
Online shop: Narashino Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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Nure-senbei is a Choshi City specialty. The hot, freshly baked senbei (rice cracker) is dipped in a secret soy sauce, and then heavily coated with a tare soy sauce, creating a soft texture, distinguishing it from regular rice crackers.
Inquiries: Choshi Electric Railway Co., Ltd. TEL:0120-25-4741 (Japanese)
Online shop: Choshi Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
Inquiries: Ishigami Co., Ltd. TEL:0479-22-7035 (Japanese)
Online shop: Ishigami Co., Ltd.
(C) Chiba Liquor Sales Co., Ltd. |
Chiba Prefecture ranks #1 in Japan for pear cultivation acreage and output. This sparkling pear wine is 100% made from Hosui pears grown in Kamagaya. It has a sweet, mellow taste which makes it a perfect aperitif.
Inquiries: Chiba Liquor Sales Co., Ltd. TEL: 043-227-3381 (Japanese)
Homepage: Chiba Liquor Sales Co., Ltd.
(C) Michi-no-Eki |
The Michi-no-eki Otsu-no-sato Hana Club is a rare place in Japan where you can enjoy flowers all year round. Flowers grown in the park’s greenhouse can be delivered to your home as Minamiboso Flower Gifts. Grown with great care, Minamiboso flowers are full of color and volume, and you can enjoy an early scent of spring.
For more information, please visit the Press and Public Relations Division’s “Genki Hanto Chiba!” website (Japanese)
Videos of the “Genki Ippai (Brimming with Vitality)! Chiba Family Concert” which took place last year on December 6 (Nanso Culture Hall) and December 20 (Toso Culture Hall) are now available on YouTube! The Chiba Symphony Orchestra and the Tateyama Elementary School Music Club performed together at the Nanso Culture Hall. At the Toso Culture Hall, the Chiba Symphony Orchestra performed alongside the Asahi Boys and Girls Chorus. Please check it out!
“Hello, Hello, Gran Papa” Lyrics: Sumako Fukao Music: Yoshinao Nakata
Christmas Medley
J.S. Bach: “Air” from Suite for No. 3 BWV 1068
Beethoven: Romance No. 2 in F Major Op. 50Violin: Koji Morishita
Dvořák: “Slavonic Dances” No.3 Op. 46-3
Bizet: “Les Toreadors” from Carmen Suite No.1
Fučík: “Entrance of the Guardians” Op. 68
Mozart: “Ave verum Corpus”
Duration: January 22, 2021 (Fri) – January 31, 2022 (Mon)
Where to watch: Chiba Prefecture Culture Promotion Foundation’s YouTube Channel
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Every year, the Chiba Museum of Science and Industry holds the “Classic Cars and Sports Cars at the Science Museum” exhibition. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the famous cars are unable to assemble in large numbers for this year’s exhibition. Therefore, the array of classic and sports cars that would usually be on display at the museum will be introduced on the museum’s website instead.
Take a look at valuable classic cars and sports cars that you don’t usually get to see! The museum’s prized possessions, the renowned Ford Model T and Subaru 360, will also be at the exhibition!
Five different cars will be on display each week from January 5 (Tuesday) to March 8 (Monday) during the exhibition. From March 9-31, all vehicles will be open to the Public!
※Due to COVID-19, the museum is temporarily closed for the time being.
For latest information, please visit the museum’s website. In addition, in the event the museum is open, the hours of operation will be from 9:00a.m. - 3:30p.m. (last entry 3:00p.m.)