Chiba Nanohana News (April 2025)

 Index

I. News    II.Festivals and Events     

I. News 

1)Chiba Consultation Service for Foreign Residents

The Chiba International Center runs a Consultation Service for Foreign Residents so that all foreign residents can live a comfortable life at ease in Chiba Prefecture.

An advisor will be available to respond to your questions. If the advisor is unable to answer your questions, they will consult with a specialist or refer you to a specialist hotline or organization that can help.

 

Are you facing problems in any of the following areas?

• Daily Life
  Hospital, school, apartment, birth, drivers license, work, etc.
• Japanese Customs and Culture
  Relationship with your neighbors, workplace rules, traditional customs, food, etc.
• Tourism and Events
  Transportation, parks, museums, art galleries, places of leisure, festivals, sports events, etc.
• International Exchange and Seminars
  Japanese lessons, international exchange events, etc.
• Legal or Social Problems
  Residency status (visa), international marriage, naturalization, divorce mediation, processes at municipal halls, etc.
  * The Chiba International Center also provides free legal consultations for foreign residents by lawyers or immigration specialists. (By appointment only.) The annual schedule for legal consultations through to March 2026 is available on the Chiba International Center website.

 

• Consultation hours: Monday - Friday (excluding holidays)  9 AM - 12 PM, 1 PM - 4 PM
• Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, Nepalese, Thai, Portuguese, Indonesian, Russian, Hindi
• Methods of consultation: telephone or face-to-face at the Chiba International Center
  Tel: 043-297-2966 (consultation hotline) Fax: 043-297-2753
  E-mail: ied@ccb.or.jp
• Location: Chiba International Center, Makuhari Techno Garden Building D, 14th Floor,
  1-3 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City
• Access: walk 5 minutes from Kaihin-Makuhari Station (JR Keiyo Line)

II.Festivals and Events

1)Dolphin Watching / Choshi Ocean Institute (Choshi City)

In the waters off the coast of Choshi where the Oyashio and Kuroshio Currents flow, you can see wild dolphins, whales, and many other marine life throughout the year from 1~30km off the coast to the offshore waters and experience the wonders of the ocean and nature at its best!

Create new memories and experience an unforgettable interaction with dolphins in Choshi!

Offshore Dolphin Watching (“Okiai” Course)

• Period: Tuesday, April 1 to Saturday, May 31
• Duration: 3 to 4 hours
• Boat departure times: Once a day from 9 AM
• Fee: Adult (high school students & up) 7,500 yen
         Child (elementary & junior high school students) 6,000 yen
         * Children under elementary school age are not allowed on board
• Capacity: 30 people (first come first served)

* Advanced reservation required

Coastal Dolphin Watching (“Engan” Course)

• Period: year round
• Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Boat departure times: Check the website for details.
• Fee: Adult (high school students & up) 4,500 yen
         Child (elementary & junior high school students) 3,500 yen
         Young children (ages 3-5) 2,500 yen
         * Children under 3 are not allowed on board
• Capacity: 40 people (first come first served)

* Advanced reservation required

 

• Gathering spot: Choshi Ocean Research Institute / 15-9 Shiomicho, Choshi City
• Meeting time: 30 min. before departure
• Access: About 60 minutes from Sawara-Katori IC (Higashi-Kanto Expressway) via National route 356
• Dolphin Watching (Choshi Ocean Research Institute Website)

2)19^th Iidaka Danrin Shinryoku Festival @ Hanko-ji Temple (Sosa City)

Hanko-ji Temple (also known as the Iidaka Danrin ruins) was the oldest, largest, and top institute of learning for the Nichiren Sect. Several of the buildings are preserved as they were, and the lecture hall and grand entrance are nationally designated important cultural properties.

“Shinryoku” describes the fresh greenery emerging at the beginning of spring and at the annual Shinryoku Festival in late April, a concert is held at the solemn lecture hall. The local string orchestra as well as internationally and domestically active musicians will perform, surrounded by the fresh greens of spring.

During this period, over 500 peony trees behind the lecture hall will be in bloom, showing off their delicate pinks and reds.

How about relaxing amongst the fresh greens and soaking in the music?

 

• Date: Sunday, April 27 (AM part from 11 AM / PM part from 1.30 PM)
  This event will be cancelled in the case of adverse weather.
• Location: Hanko-ji Temple (Iidaka Danrin ruins), 1789 Iidaka, Sosa City
• Cost: Free
• Access
  By car: 20 minutes from Yokoshibahikari IC (Choshi Renraku Road) or 30 minutes from Narita IC (Higashi-Kanto Expressway)
  By train: 20 minute-taxi ride from Yokaichiba Station (JR Sobu Main Line)
  Other: free sightseeing bus from Meguri-no-Sato, Sosa Tourist Product Center
• Sosa City website
• Inquiries: Lifelong Learning Section, Lifelong Learning Division, Board of Education, Sosa City TEL:0479-67-1266

3)34^th Kokubugawa River Koinobori Festival (Ichikawa City)

Take in the views of 400 colorful flying carp streamers for Children’s Day at Ichikawa City. The decorative windsocks will be on display from Tuesday, April 29 to Monday, May 5. The main event will be held on Sunday, May 4^th with local performances and refreshment booths. 

 

• Period: Tuesday, April 29 to Monday, May 5 (10 AM to 4 PM)
• Location: Kokubugawa River and surrounding area/ 3 Chome, Higashikokubun, Ichikawa City
• Access:From JR Sobu Line Ichikawa Station or Kesei Line Ichikawa Mama Station, take the Kesei bus bound for “Kokubun-koko”, alight at “Soya harusame-bashi” bus stop and walk a few minutes; or take the Kesei bus bound for “Seitokugakuen”/“Matsudo-eki”, alight at  “Michino-eki Ichikawa” bus stop and walk a few minutes.
• Inquiries: Kokubugawa River Koinobori Festival Planning Committee TEL:090-5772-3075

4)Sawara May Doll Tour @ Merchant houses of Sawara (Katori City)

Sawara has retained its Edo period atmosphere of being a mercantile city. You can visit Sawara’s unique and traditional merchant houses that are a part of the “Sawara Neighborhood Museum” project, and see the treasures displayed within each house. As a part of this project, the “Sawara May Doll Tour” displays will be held from April to May. Project members will be displaying samurai dolls known as gogatsu ningyo (lit. May doll) and other Boys’ Festival decorations that have been passed down as family heirlooms from generation to generation. Nearby local facilities such as the Sawara Machinami Koryukan will also have samurai dolls on display, so you can take a leisurely stroll as you enjoy these beautiful and unique dolls at various locations around town. Participating locations are marked with a light green cloth hanging out front.

• Period: Sunday, April 13 to Sunday, May 18 (*Please note that hours of operation may vary from store to store.)
• Location: Sawara merchant houses and locations around the area, along Onogawa river
• Access
  By car: 10 minutes from Sawara-Katori IC (Higashi-Kanto Expressway)
  By train: A few minutes on foot from Sawara Station (JR Narita Line)
• Inquiries: Sawara Okamisan Association TEL: 080-5455-7577
• Sawara May Doll Tour / Sawara Okamisan Association 

 

 

I. News     II.Festivals and Events