Chiba Nanohana News (June 2023)

 Index

I. Festivals and Events     

I. Festivals and Events

1) Call for ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2023 Final Open Audition Spectators and Backstage Tour Participants

ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2023, the largest outdoor rock festival in Japan, will be held over the course of 5 days from August 5-6 and 11-13 at Chiba City Soga Sports Park.

The ROAD TO ROCK IN JAPAN FES.CHIBA 2023 audition process to determine the ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2023 opening act is currently underway, and we are recruiting spectators for the Final Open Audition on Monday, July 17.

We are also recruiting participants for the ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2023 backstage tour to be held on Wednesday, August 9.

＜Call for ROAD TO ROCK IN JAPAN FES.CHIBA 2023 Final Open Audition Spectators＞

Come and see the live performances of bands and artists contending for a chance to perform at ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2023.

• Date and Time: 3:00-7:00 pm, Monday, July 17 (the venue opens at 2:00 pm)
• Location: Aobanomori Park Art and Culture Hall
• Capacity: 800 people (if the number of applicants exceeds this amount, selections will be made by lottery)
• How to Apply: Please fill out this application form online.
• Application Period: 9:00 am, Monday, June 5 to 5:00 pm, Friday, June 30
  ※The application results will be announced on or around Friday, July 7.

＜Call for Backstage Tour Participants＞

For those interested in a chance to experience what it’s like to support a music festival from behind the scenes, applications are now open for a ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2023 venue and backstage tour!

• Date and Time: Wednesday, August 9
  ※The first tour will be held at 3:00 pm, and the second tour at 5:00 pm.
  The tour will take around 90 minutes.
  The requested assembly time and other details will be shared directly with participants.
• Location: Chiba City Soga Sports Park
• Eligibility: High school students living or attending school in Chiba Prefecture
• Capacity: 80 people total (if the number of applicants exceeds this amount, selections will be made by lottery)
• How to Apply: Please fill out this application form online.
• Application Period: 9:00 am, Monday, June 5 to 5:00 pm, Friday, June 30
  ※The application results will be announced on or around Friday, July 7.

Contact: Chiba Prefecture Cultural Promotion Division TEL 043-223-3945

ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2023 Official Website

2) Hydrangea Viewing Spots in Chiba, Beautiful and Enchanting Even in the Rain

Hydrangea, called “ajisai” in Japanese, gracefully paint the scenery of early summer. Why don’t you grab your umbrella and head outside to see them for yourself?

Here are some spots to enjoy the hydrangea flowers at, beautiful either rain or shine.

1.Hondoji Temple （Matsudo City）

This Nichiren Buddhist temple is also known as “Ajisaiji,” or Hydrangea Temple. In early summer, over 50,000 hydrangeas of more than 10 varieties are in bloom, attracting a multitude of visitors.

• Peak Season: Mid- to late June
• Location: 63 Hiraga, Matsudo City
• Access:【By Train】 A 15-minute walk from Kita-Kogane Station on the JR Joban Line
• Contact: Matsudo City Vibrancy Creation Division TEL 047-366-7327

2.Sogoreido （Narita City）

The grounds that extend behind the main temple hall of Sogoreido are home to approximately 7,000 hydrangea shrubs that are a delight to the eyes of temple guests. There are multiple varieties including zairai, gaku, and kashiwaba. A hydrangea festival is held every Sunday until June 25, and visitors can spend their time enjoying elegant koto, shakuhachi, and erhu performances in the main hall.

• Peak Season: Mid-June to early July
• Location: 1-558 Sogo, Narita City
• Access: 【By Train】 A 20-minute walk from Sogosando Station on the Keisei Line
• Contact: “Tourism Development Through Hydrangea Planting” Planning Committee Office TEL 0476-22-2102

3.Hattori Farm Hydrangea House （Mobara City）

This is a popular spot with around 250 varieties of colorful hydrangea blooms spread out over an area of 18,000 square meters. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes while strolling through the mountain landscape to admire the flowers. There are also stands selling fresh local vegetables and fruits.

• Peak Season: Early June to early July
• Location: 719 Sangaya, Mobara City
• Admission: Junior high school students and above 600 yen, elementary school students 300 yen
• Access: 【By Train】 A 10-minute taxi ride from Mobara Station on the JR Sotobo Line
• Contact: TEL 0475-24-8511

4.Mamenbara Plateau （Otaki Town）

Around 20,000 hydrangea plants bloom along the slopes of the mountain plateau, and there is a magnificent, panoramic view of the area from the Myohoshoji Temple observation desk at the very top. The flowers can be enjoyed until mid-July since they bloom later due to cooler temperatures than in the surrounding plains.

• Peak Season: Late June to early July
• Location: 1749 Tsutsumori, Otaki Town, Isumi District
• Access: 【By Car】 A 60-minute drive from the Ichihara-Tsurumai IC (Interchange) on the Ken-O Expressway
• Contact: Otaki Tourism Association TEL 0470-80-1146

3) Umemon Nyubai Iwashi Matsuri (It’s Delicious! Nyubai Sardine Festival) / Choshi City and Other Locations 〔Choshi City〕

Choshi Fishing Harbor boasted the nation’s largest catch for 12 consecutive years until 2022. The Oyashio and Kuroshio currents intersect just off the coast of Choshi, and nutrients are brought in from the Tone River, making it one of the most plentiful fishing areas in Japan. It is here that the rich-in-fat “Nyubai Iwashi” (Nyubai sardines), famous for their exceptional flavor, are hauled in around the beginning of rainy season.

The Umemon Nyubai Iwashi Matsuri (It’s Delicious! Nyubai Sardine Festival) will be held until the end of July. Using the most delicious and rich Nyubai sardines of the year, the six restaurants of the Choshi Umemon Research Society are elaborating on the theme by offering the original “Nyubai Iwashi Omakase Gozen” (Nyubai Sardine Chef’s Choice Meal). Enjoy this meal for 2,800 yen that includes a rice bowl with marinated raw sardines, deep-fried offerings, sardine fish ball soup, and other ways to savor the flavor of Nyubai sardines! （reservation required by phone）

• Duration: Thursday, June 1 to the end of July
• Location: the 6 restaurants of the Choshi Umemon Research Society             
    1.Zen Hanare / 11300-2 Inuwaka, Choshi City
    2.Donya Shichibe / 1-26 Iinumacho, Choshi City
    3.Choshi Plaza Hotel Hirohan / 11-2 Nishishibacho, Choshi City
    4.Hobo-Tatsumi / 473 Miyabaracho, Choshi City
    5.Country House Umiberi / 1217 Kaminagai, Asahi City
    6.Hanazushi / 6558-4 Hasaki, Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture
• Admission: Shared menu for all restaurants, “Nyubai Iwashi Omakase Gozen”（Nyubai Sardine Chef’s Choice Meal） 2,800 yen（tax included）
• Choshi Umemon Research Society Website
• Contact: Choshi City Tourism Association TEL 0479-22-1544

   

I. Festivals and Events