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Foreign Languages > Chiba International Information Square - To foreign residents - > Chiba Nanohana News > Chiba Nanohana News (Past Issues) > Chiba Nanohana News (June 2019)
Update: June 9, 2022
I.News II . Festivals and Events III. Exhibitions & Concerts
Governor Kensaku Morita visited Germany and the Netherlands with former Chairperson of the Chiba Prefectural Assembly, Mr. Mitsuru Yoshimoto, from May 23 (Thurs) to May 29 (Wed), 2019.
In Germany, a partnership agreement between Chiba Prefecture and the City of Düsseldorf, the two regions which have engaged in active exchanges for 14 years, was signed on May 25 in Düsseldorf City Hall. Governor Morita and Mr. Thomas Geisel, Mayor of Düsseldorf, expressed their delight at the 14 years of exchanges in the fields of culture and sports which led to the signing of the partnership agreement. Both leaders agreed that it is of utmost importance for both sides to make an effort to continue this relationship to the future generations.
Signing Ceremony
Further, Governor Morita revealed the signing of the partner city agreement at the opening ceremony of “Japan Day”, an event visited by about 600,000 people which showcases Japanese culture, along with highlighting the appeals of Chiba Prefecture. The Chiba Prefecture PR booth hosted a variety of activities, such as a panel which highlights Chiba Prefecture and Düsseldorf’s exchanges, an origami and Japanese calligraphy workshop, and a photoshoot with CHI+BA-KUN, among others.
Opening Ceremony of ‶Japan Day”
The Chiba PR Booth Crowded with Visitors
In the Netherlands on May 27, Chiba Prefecture, the Dutch Olympic Committee and the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation signed an agreement regarding holding the training camp for the Dutch Olympic Swimming team next year in Chiba as well as held a fruitful exchange of opinions regarding the preparations for the training camp.
The Dutch Olympic Swimming Team will hold a training camp in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Chiba Prefecture International General Swimming Center (Narashino City) for 3 weeks from early July 2020.
Signing Ceremony
Inquiries: Policy and Planning Department International Affairs Division TEL: 043-223-2394
Twenty foreign exchange students and residents, from different areas of Chiba Prefecture, representing 11 countries were officially appointed as CHI-BA+KUN Ambassadors on June 3rd. The CHI-BA+KUN Ambassadors promote Chiba Prefecture’s many attractions—tourist spots, delicious cuisine, and the cultural differences they experience in Chiba—in their native languages through blogs and other social media.
The project began in 2011. You can read more about the CHI-BA+KUN Ambassadors on Chiba Prefecture’s website.
*The official program name for the “CHI-BA+KUN Ambassadors” is the “Ambassadors to Spread Chiba Prefecture’s Charm to the World Together with CHI-BA+KUN”
Ambassadors’ home country/area (number of people)
Vietnam (4), Indonesia (3), Taiwan (3), China (2), USA (2), Bangladesh (1),
Philippines (1), Thailand (1), Korea (1), France (1), Russia (1)
In 1984, “Kenmin no Hi” (Chiba Prefectural Citizens’ Day) was established as a day for residents of Chiba Prefecture to learn about Chiba, love Chiba, and help make Chiba Prefecture into a place for the next generation to be proud of.
June 15 commemorates June 15, 1873, when the Kisarazu and Imba Prefectures merged to form the present-day Chiba Prefecture.
In celebration of Prefectural Citizens’ Day, there will be a variety of events held on and around June 15 all around the Prefecture. The main event is the Chiba Wakuwaku Festa in Makuhari Messe on Sunday, June 16. Additionally, many facilities and tourist attractions around the Prefecture will be offering discounts for residents of Chiba Prefecture.
Please take advantage of this day to enjoy Chiba’s history, culture, nature, and industries.
The Chiba Bar Association, with the support of the Chiba Labor Dept., will hold a free conference on labor for foreigners on Friday, June 28.
Lawyers will guide and talk with participants to solve the general labor troubles such as below:
※If you have any documents such as an employment contract or pay-bill, please bring them.
In the U.S. there is a saying, “April showers bring May flowers.” Though the timeline is a little different from Chiba’s June rainy season, the sentiment of rain bringing flowers is the same. Though the rainy season is not a popular one, it is a beautiful time of year in which many water-loving plants bloom. Here are some of the best places in Chiba to see flowers like hydrangeas and irises.
Hondoji, opened in 1277, is a temple which practices the Nichiren school of Buddhism and is known by its nickname “Hydrangea Temple”.
At the start of summer, the temple grounds become completely enveloped in a beautiful array of hydrangea and irises.
On the grounds behind the main Sogo Mausoleum, a wide variety of over 7000 hydrangea flowers are available for visitors to enjoy. A hydrangea festival is being held every Sunday from June 2 to June 23.
This colorful walking course will take you past 1,500 hydrangea flowers.
The Hattori Farm Hydrangea House will blow you away with over 10,000 flowers of 200 varieties that look beautiful from anywhere on the grounds.
1,300 years ago, upon receiving orders from Emperor Shomu, the monk Gyoki opened this temple, making it the oldest place of imperial worship in Kanto region. Within the temple grounds, along with the housing Japan’s largest rock-carved Buddha, a wide variety of tourist attractions can be found. Over 20,000 hydrangea flowers are blooming on the temple grounds.
Hydrangeas bloom on Mamenbara-kogen, a 340m plateau, and can be enjoyed from early July. At the top of the plateau lies Myohoji Temple, nicknamed the Hydrangea Temple, where a monk began planting Hydrangeas in 1951. Now, over 20,000 blue Hydrangeas bloom down the hillside.
The fresh oysters fished off the beaches of Iioka from May to August take 7 years to grow to the size of the palm of your hand. These oysters are very tasty and filled with nutrients, even being dubbed the the “Milk of the Sea”. This festival, where you will be able to experience true high-quality oysters, is being held from June 1 (Sat) to Mid-August at two Iioka Hotel Association establishments.
In the lunch oyster course (3,900 yen, tax incl.), raw/cooked oyster along with tasty side dishes are served (reservation required). Oyster dinner plans are also available for those staying overnight, so please feel free to consult with them.
Summer brings with it opportunities to participate in blueberry picking all around the Prefecture. Here are some places where you can take part;
Hakarime is a nickname of Futtsu City’s famous conger eel, named after a bohakari, or measuring stick used in markets and on the sea, which is said to look strikingly similar to this eel.
This prime season to get your hands on this eel is early summer, and is known for its low calorie/high protein content and fluffy texture. Several varieties of the eel will be served at the fair alongside rare sashimi varieties.
If you order eel dishes during the fair, your meal will come with a side dish or some other addition.
Time period: Saturday, June 1 – Wednesday, July 31 *planned
Location: Participating stores in Futtsu City
Access: Please inquire
URL: http://www.futtu-city.or.jp/index.htm( External link )
Inquiries: Futtu City Chamber of Commerce TEL: 0439-87-7071
Take the opportunity this June to visit Tomisato City and enjoy watermelon at a variety of events!
On Sunday, June 16 is the Watermelon Festival, an event where you can eat watermelon to your heart’s content. Tomisato City is one of the major producers of watermelon in Japan, so the fruit at this festival will be some of the best in the country.
If you can’t get enough watermelon, visit the Tomisato Watermelon Road Race on June 23rd. This event consists of 3km and 10km-events. The highlight of the race is no doubt the “watermelon station,” located along the final leg of the course. Here runners can quench their thirst with watermelon as they make their way to the finish line. Although the registration period for the race has already ended, you can join the fun by helping cheer on runners from the sidelines.
Come and experience the otherworldly glow of a variety of firefly species at special viewing locations within Shirahama Flower Park. This event is sponsored by local onsen baths.
The rapid change in society from the Meiji to the Heisei period will be shown through the changes that various well known appliances and machinery went through during this time.
Related Courses: Both courses free (first 40 arrivals, elementary school and above)
Course 1; “16mm Film Screening” June 1 (Sat) 13:30-15:00
Course 2; “Appliances Close to You” June 15 (Sat) 13:30-15:00
URL: http://www2.chiba-muse.or.jp/OTONE/( External link )
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