Chiba Nanohana News (December 2019)

 Index

　I.News       II . Festivals and Events     III.Exhibition & Concerts

 I.News

 1)Recruitment of Torchbearers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay

The torch relay will be conducted in Chiba Prefecture on Wed., August 19, 2020.

The Chiba Prefectural Government will conduct a public call for participation, as noted below, of 29 torchbearers (TBs) to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay held in Chiba City. Don't miss this opportunity to become a Paralympic torch runner!

• Recruiting Period: December 16 (Mon.) 2019 - February 15 (Sat.) 2020
• Number Being Recruited: 29 people
• How to Apply: Online Application or Mail Application 
• Inquiries: Olympic and Paralympic Games Bureau, Chiba Prefecture TEL 043-223-3489

 ※　Goalball, Sitting Volleyball, Para-Taekwondo and Wheelchair Fencing will be held in Makuhari-Messe, Chiba Prefecture at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

 2) Driving Discount "Minamiboso Tourism Support Free Pass" Now On Sale! (ETC Driving Discount) ~Free Access to the Minamiboso Area Highways at a Fixed Price~ 

Chiba Prefecture is working with the NEXCO East Japan Kanto Branch Office to provide a “Minamiboso Tourism Support Free Pass”, which offers free access to the Minamiboso area highways at a fixed price.

Why not use this pass to experience Chiba’s many attractions, including fall colors, seafood, and flowers spread out across the landscape?

1. Usable Time Period
   Friday, November 29, 2019 - Monday, April 6, 2020 for a maximum of 2 consecutive days (also usable on day trips)
   *Excluding Saturday, December 28, 2019 - Sunday, January 5, 2020
2. Accepted Vehicle Types
       Normal/Light vehicles using ETC (two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles also accepted)
3. Price
   Normal Vehicles: 2,800 yen
   Light Vehicles: 2,200 yen
   *There are additional highway costs outside of the free area
4. Usable Area
     From the Ichihara IC on the Tateyama Expressway to the Tomiura IC on the Futtsu-Tateyama Road, from the Kisarazukaneda IC on the Tokyo Bay Aqualine to the Ichihara Tsurumai IC on the Ken-O Expressway
   Please check the website for a detailed list.
5. Purchasing Procedures
   1) On the Internet
   From the “Dorapura” or “Dorapura Mobile” links on the Nexco East Japan homepage.
   PC version: https://www.driveplaza.com/trip/drawari/ (Japanese only) ( External link )
   Mobile version: http://m.driveplaza.com/travel/ (Japanese only) ( External link )
   2) Purchasing Period
   Tuesday, November 26, 2019 from 14:00 - Monday, April 6, 2020
   *Please ensure that you purchase the pass before you start using the highways.
   *Purchasing beforehand is required.
6. Benefits
   Various tourist sites are waiting for you with special benefits!
   Presents and other prizes will be given to participants who filled out the survey, selected by a lottery.

Inquiries: NEXCO East Japan Customer Center TEL0570-024-024 or 03-5338-7524 

 3）Nanohana News Staff Tours Around Chiba ~Armor Try-On and Nori Seaweed Making Experiences~

In October, a Nanohana News staff member visited a number of tourist sites in the Uchibo area in Chiba prefecture. 

His first stop was the Forest Experience and Exchange Center at the foot of Kururi Castle in Kimitsu City, where he tried on a variety traditional samurai armor with volunteers from the city and took pictures with the city mascot. The costumes came in a variety of colors and designs. The staff member noted the authenticity and weight of the sword, although the armor was substantially lighter than the authentic version.

Armor try-on experiences are held at the Kimitsu City Forest Experience and Exchange Center. This armor is made by members of the Kururi Castle Armor Association and looks just like the original, however, as stated above, it is quite light and easy to put on. The armor is tight but loose enough to move easily and do battle. Afterwards, he went outside with the group he was with and did mock battles, took pictures, and so on. The forest landscape really makes you feel like you are being transported back in time. There are sizes for both children and adults as well as authentic looking swords and spears.

 He originally planned to Kururi Castle, but was unable to as it was unfortunately closed due to damage from the typhoon. However, it has now been repaired and is open again to the public. Be sure to visit!

Kururi Castle: https://www.city.kimitsu.lg.jp/site/kanko/491.html( External link )

Kimitsu City Forest Experience and Exchange Center: https://www.city.kimitsu.lg.jp/site/kanko/18248.html( External link )

Next, he made nori (edible seaweed) by hand with a professional seaweed producer in Futtsu City at Matsumotoya. Nori is a traditional Japanese food used in a variety of dishes, such as sushi, as well as a topping for rice. The nori is first collected at sea and stored in a tank of water. They are then placed on a wooden board of sorts inside the water so the nori begins to float slightly. Then, the board is shaken until the nori is evenly distributed throughout the board. Finally, the nori is secured to the board and hung to dry. Despite looking easy, it is surprisingly difficult. The teacher is strict but effective. Don't be discouraged!

Matsumotoya makes freshly grilled and delicious smelling “nori” using seaweed from the rich sea near Futtsu. They also hold nori seaweed making experience tours year round.  

Matsumotoya: https://www.matumotoya.jp/( External link ) 

 II.  Festivals and Events

 1)Spots to see the First Sunrise of the New Year 

Chiba has many spots to see the New Year’s first sunrise from. Be sure to consider these popular locations when planning your holiday excursions!

Cape Inubo (Choshi City)

You can enjoy the earliest sunrise in Japan, (the sunrise may be earlier from some mountaintops or remote islands) at around 6:46 A.M.

• Location： Cape Inubo, Choshi City
• Access ： 7 minutes on foot from the Choshi Electric Railway Inubo Station
• Inquiries ：Choshi City Tourism Association TEL 0479-22-1544

Umihotaru PA (Kisarazu City)

Why not enjoy the first sunrise of the year from Umihotaru PA, located at the center of the Tokyo Bay Aqualine, which connects Kisarazu and Kawasaki? Seeing the sunrise from the middle of Tokyo Bay is a special treat.

•  Location: Nakajima, Kisarazu City
• Access：Tokyo Bay Aqualine
• Inquiries：Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway Corporation TEL 0438-41-7401

Kujukutani Valley Observation Park (Kimitsu City)

You are able to see the entire Boso Hill Range from the Kujukutani Valley Observation Park. The view is especially gorgeous from dawn to right after the sun begins to appear, creating a painting like view with a sea of clouds appearing right beneath your eyes.

• Location：Kujukutani Valley Observation Park/119-1 Kanozan, Kimitsu City
• Access： from Kimitsu Interchange, take the Prefectural Road 92 in the Kamogawa direction through Higashiawakura for about 25 minutes
• Inquiries：Kimitsu City Tourism Division TEL 0439-56-1325

Nokogiriyama Ropeway (Futtsu City)

Why not see the first sunrise of the year from the top of Nokogiriyama? The ropeway will be running from 5:30 A.M. to accommodate visitors wishing to see the first sunrise of the year. Warm drinks will be provided to the first 200 arrivals at the summit observation deck.

• Location：4052-1 Kanaya, Futtsu City
• Admission：Adults 950yen round trip, Children 450yen round trip
• Access：8minutes on foot from the JR Uchibo Line Kanaya Station, or 5minutes by car from the Futtsu Tateyama Road Futtsu Kanaya IC
• Inquiries：Nokogiriyama Ropeway TEL 0439-69-2314

Seicho-ji Temple Asahigamori  (Kamogawa City)

The sunrise from Asahigamori was selected as one of the top 100 places to see thesunrise in Japan, making it perfect for the first sunrise of the year. You can also get your first shrine visit of the year out of the way at Seicho-ji Temple.

• Location：322-1 Kiyosumi, Kamogawa City 
• Access：15 minutes on Kamogawa Community Bus in the Kiyosumi direction, departing from the JR Sotobo Line Awa-Amatsu Station
• Inquiries：Seicho-ji Temple TEL 04-7094-0525

 2)Recommended Hatsumode (New Year's Shrine Visit) Spots in Chiba

In addition to the going to see the first sunrise of the year, another popular tradition is the hatsumode, or one’s first visit to a shrine or temple of the New Year.

Hokekyo-ji Temple (Ichikawa City)

There are important cultural assets within this temple built as a temple of the Nichiren School of Buddhism in the Kamakura Period. Large crowds are expected on New Year’s Eve, as the public will be allowed to ring the bell in the bell tower (1,000 early arrivals estimated)。

• Location： 2-10-1 Nakayama, Ichikawa City
• Access： 10 minutes on foot from the JR Sobu Line Shimosa-Nakayama Station or 5minutes on foot from the Keisei Line Keisei Nakayama Station
• Inquiries： Hokekyo-ji Temple TEL 047-334-3433

Inagesengen Shrine （Chiba City）

This shrine is known for providing blessings for safe birth and successful child raising. It is also known to provide blessings for good luck, safety within the family, and success in business. There are close to 300,000 visitors during the first 3 days of the New Year.

• Location： 1-15-10Inage, Inage-ku, Chiba City
• Access： 15minutes on foot from the JR Sobu Line Inage Station or 4minutes on foot from the Keisei Line Keisei Inage Station
• Inquiries： Inagesengen Shrine TEL043-245-7777
• URL：http://www.inage-sengenjinja.or.jp/( External link )

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (Narita City)

Nationally renowned as Narita’s O-Fudo-sama, approximately 3,000,000 visitors come to worship here during the first 3 days of the New Year (the largest number of visitors in the nation for a temple).

The temple grounds also house the 165,000 square meter Naritasan Park, a beautiful park where you can enjoy the beauty of all 4 seasons.

• Location: 1 Narita, Narita City
• Access: 15min on foot from Narita Station (JR Narita Line or Keisei Line)
• Inquiries: TEL 0476-22-2111(Naritasan Shinshoji Temple) 

Nihonji Temple （Kyonan Town）

Opened in the year 725 by the then-reigning Emperor, this temple is located within Nokogiriyama boasting a 31 meter tall Daibutsu Buddha statue, along with several smaller Buddhas carved into the rocks nearby.

• Location： Motona, Kyonan Town
• Access： 8minutes on foot to the entrance of the Nokogiriyama Ropeway from the JR Uchibo Line Hamakanaya Station, ride the ropeway to the top, and walk 10minutes to Nihonji Temple.
• Inquiries： Nihonji Temple TEL: 0470-55-1103

Kasamori Temple (Chonan Town）

Hatsumode is a very important event in which one prays for the success of the New Year. Make sure to start your New Year off right with the many blessing at Kasamori Temple. There are many national, prefectural, and town cultural assets within the temple grounds.

• Location: 302 Kasamori, Chonan Town
• Access： Bus in the Ushiku direction and get off at the Kasamori stop. The bus departs from the JR Sotobo Line Mobara Station or leave the Mobara Chonan IC, turn left on the Senda intersection and drive 10minutes on National Highway 409.
• Inquiries: Kasamori Temple TEL 0475-46-0536

 3) Chiba Winter Illuminations

Although the weather is getting colder, the start of winter also signals the beginning of Chiba’s illumination season. Here are a few of the big ones to visit with friends, the family, or that special someone this winter.

Chiba City Illumination “Le Mirage Chiba 2019” (Chiba City)

450,000 LED lights will be glittering from JR Chiba Station to the trees at the promenade at the central park. 

 CG art with a skate rink will also be at the central park this year. Prepare to be enveloped by the energy of the lights!

• Time period: Saturday, November 30 - Sunday, March 22, 2020
  Central Park：Saturday, November 30 - Sunday, March 22, 2020
  Promenade：Saturday, November 30 - Sunday, March 8, 2020
  Torimachi Park：Thursday, December 26 - Monday, February 3, 2020
• Access：　Get off at JR Chiba Station
• Inquiries：Chiba City Illumination Executive Committee TEL043-227-4103 

Ichihara Quard Forest  (Ichihara City)

After the sun goes down, Ichihara Quard Forest will be lit up with bright illuminations that bring out the beauty of the forest.

• Date and time: Now until Friday, December 27, Saturday, January 4, 2020 - January 13 (Monday, Holiday) 17:00 - 20:00 (17:00 - 20:30 on weekends and holidays, 17:00 - 19:00 from January onwards)
• Location: Ichihara Quard Forest/1011 Kakinokidai, Ichihara City
• Access: 30 minutes from the Ken-o Expressway Ichihara Tsurumai IC
• Inquiries: Ichihara Quard Forest Management Office TEL0436-96-1119

Tokyo German Village Winter Illumination “Fly! Picopico! Dream World ~Play & Smile~ (Sodegaura City)

Imagine for a moment a 3 million bulb illumination spreading out over a 50,000 m2 area. A world completely different from the daytime appears at the Tokyo German Village during the winter.

This year, certain attractions like the famous 70 meter long rainbow tunnel paired with music to create a spectacular show on sound and light are awaiting your arrival.

The China Lantern area, which received great praise last year is back again and will be held from Sunday, November 23.

• Time period: Friday, November 1, 2019 - Sunday, April 5, 2020　
• Light-up Times: From sunset - 20:00 (last admission to the park is at 19:30)
• Location: Tokyo German Village/419 Nagayoshi, Sodegaura City
• Admission: 3,000 yen per vehicle
  By foot: 500 yen per person, free for infants aged 3 and below
  ※The price is the same regardless of when you enter the park.
• Access: By bus from Sodegaura Station on the JR Uchibo Line. A paid direct bus is available.
  3km from the Anesaki Sodegaura IC off the Tateyama Expressway, 6km from the Kisarazu-higashi IC off the Ken-O Expressway
• URL: http://www.t-doitsumura.co.jp( External link )
• Inquiries: Tokyo German Village TEL0438-60-5511 

2019 - 2020 Mother Farm Illumination (Futtsu City) 

Held at the “Mountaintop Area” situated next to Tokyo bay at 300m above sea level, you will be able to enjoy stunning views of the silhouette of Mt. Fuji in the sunset, the night views of Tokyo and Yokohama while experiencing the “Flower Garden of Light” illumination.

This year, new illuminations will be held, including the “Clover Field of Lights”. The tallest ferris wheel in Chiba and merry go rounds will also be decorated with glittering lights to make the “Night Amusement Park”. A warm farm gourmet all you-can-eat will also be held, among other attractions.

• Dates：Saturday, October 26, 2019 - Sunday, March 29, 2020
  ※After Saturday, January 11, 2020 events will be held only on weekends and holidays.
  Park Holidays： December 16, 2019 (Mon) - 19 (Thurs), January 7, 2020 (Tues) - 10 (Fri), 14 (Tues) - 17 (Fri)
  Hours of Operation：16:00 - 20:00
  ※The light-up time may change due to the time of the sunset or weather.
  ※The park is open during normal hours during the day.  
• Location: Mother Farm Mountaintop Area/940-3 Tagura, Futtsu City
• Park Entrance: Adults (Middle school and older) 1,500yen, Children (Age 4and Elementary School) 800yen
  *Entrance after 16:00:Adults (Middle school and older) 800yen, Children (Age 4and Elementary School) 400yen. Age 3and below free.
  *Guests arriving to the park before 16:00 will also be able to enjoy the illumination.
  Parking: Free after 16:00 (1,000 yen before 16:00 for 1 day)
• Access: 15 km from the Kisarazu-Minami IC off of the Tateyama Expressway, 8 km from the Kimitsu PA (ETC vehicles only)
• URL:http://www.motherfarm.co.jp( External link )
• Inquiries: Mother Farm TEL0439-37-3211 

Ocean Park Illumination (Kamogawa City)

The Ocean Park will be lit up at night with 15,000 LED lights, creating an otherworldly winter scene. The light-up will be until midnight (12:00 am) on December 23, 24, 31, and January 1.

• Date and time: Sunday, December 1 - Tuesday, March 31 16:00-21:00
• Location: Roadside Station Kamogawa Ocean Park/22 Emitayuzaki, Kamogawa City
• Access: From the Kimitsu IC off of the Tateyama Expressway, take the Boso Skyline, Kamogawa Toll Road, and drive 20 minutes on R128 in the Tateyama direction
• URL: http://www.kamogawaocean-park.com/( External link )   
• Inquiries: Roadside Station Kamogawa Ocean Park TEL04-7096-1911 

 4) Tateyama Family Park (Tateyama City)

At the spacious Tateyama Park, there is a 7,500 m2 wide flowerbed in which 300,000 poppy flowers bloom from over 30,000 bushels every year from the start of December to the start of May. The peak is from the end of February through March, but poppy picking can be enjoyed anytime during the time period listed below. The type of poppy at the park is the small leaved Iceland Poppy. These Tateyama Family Park original flowers have been carefully fertilized over a long period of time, providing a colorful and pretty appearance.  

The flowerbeds of the Tateyama Family Park will be filled with poppies and a variety of other flowers. Orange, yellow, white, and other colored flowers will give you an early taste of spring under the cool winter sky. Flower picking will also be available within the park. 

《Flowers available to be picked》※Details may change based on the weather or state of the flowers.

• Poppy：10 flowers 200 yen　Mid-December - Early May
• Snapdragon：1 flower 150 yen November - Early May
• Stocks：1 flower 150 yen Mid-December - March
• Rape Blossom：3 flowers 150 yen January - February
• Calendula：3 flowers 150 yen March
• Lavender：10 flowers 150 yen  Year-Round

《Orchid/Cyclamen Fair》

• Time Period：Late November - Late December
  Orchids and Cyclamen will be sold at the plant shops.

 

• Time Period: Mid-December - Early May
• Location：Tateyama Family Park/1210 Menuma, Tateyama City
• Park Admission: Adults (middle school and above) 800 yen, children (aged 4 and older) 550 yen　
• Access: 30 minutes from the Futtsu-Tateyama Road Tomiura IC
• Inquiries: Tateyama Family Park TEL0470-28-1110

 III.  Exhibitions & Concerts

 1)Chiba Symphony Orchestra 2020 New Year Concert
～Celebration of the Century～ Chiba Prefectural Cultural Hall (Chiba City)

Soprano Ai Ichihara will perform the famous Aria at this year’s New Year concert.

In addition to the usual waltz and polka, sports themed songs will also be performed to celebrate the year of the Olympic/Paralympic Games.

• Date and time: Saturday, January 11,2020,Performance starts at 2:00P.M.（Hall opens at 1:15P.M.）
• Location: Chiba Prefectural Cultural Hall Large Hall
• Admission: (All seats reserved） S seat：5,000yen, A seat：4,000yen,　B seat：3,000yen  
• Performers
  -Conductor：Kazufumi Yamashita
  -Soprano：Ai Ichihara
  -Orchestra：Chiba Symphony Orchestra
• Pieces
  -Suppe: Light Cavalry Overture
  -J. Strauss II: Voices of Spring Waltz
  -Rosas:  Over the Waves Waltz
  -Josef Strauss: Obstacle Course Polka
  -Lehar: Vilja’s Song from The Merry Widow
  -J. Strauss II: On the Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz and more!
• Inquiries: Chiba Symphony Orchestra Office TEL 043-222-4231
• URL:https://chibakyo.jp/concert/index.html#conc20200111( External link ) 

 2) Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba (Chiba City)

Ecology Park Topics Exhibit “30 Years of the Ecology Park”

Ongoing – December 27 (Fri)

Almost 30 years has passed since the opening of the Chiba Natural History Museum Ecology Park. We will look back at the Park’s history through accumulated pictures and survey data.

Fall Exhibit “Just What Exactly is a Snapping Turtle? Why Are They Dangerous?”

Ongoing – January 13, 2020

The snapping turtle is an invasive species from America. Originally kept as pets, they have since gone feral. They have been spotted in Chiba Prefecture at Lake Inba-Numa and its surrounding areas. This exhibit will explain how these turtles live and what kind of problems they cause.

Topics Exhibit: “Metal Mineral Resources”

Ongoing – February 2, 2020 (Sun)

Metals can’t be avoided in modern civilization, but surprisingly, what minerals these essential metals originate from is not very well known. Honorary Professor of Kagoshima University, Yoshihide Shiga, has cooperated with the museum to provide mineral to put on display for this exhibit. This exhibit will focus especially on tin from Kagoshima and related information about mines and other ores.

Mini Topics Exhibit: Connect with the 12 Earthly Branches –Year of the Rat-

December 21 (Sat) - January 19, 2020 (Sun)

This exhibit is held every day around New Years at the Natural History Museum and Institute, which is very familiar to the animals of the earthly branches. Since next year is the year of the rat, animals, documents, and other information related to rats will be displayed.

• Museum Hours:　9:00-16:30（last entry 16:00)
  ※Closed Monday（if Monday falls on a holiday, it will be open and closed the following day
  ※Closed December 28 (Sat) – January 4 (Sat) due to the New Years holidays
• Location: 955-2 Aobacho, Chuo-ku, Chiba City (inside the Aoba-no-Mori Park)
• Admission: General Admission: 300 yen (240 yen), High School/University Students 150 yen (120 yen)
  ※Prices in parentheses are group prices (20 or more people)
  ※Middle school and below, aged 65 and above, disabled person and their 1 caretaker free
• Access: 15 minutes by bus from JR Chiba/Soga Stations,　get off at "Chuo Hakubutsukan" stop and 7 minutes on foot. 20 minutes on foot from the Keisei Chibadera station.
• URL:http://www2.chiba-muse.or.jp/NATURAL/( External link )
• Inquiries：Chiba Natural History Museum and Institute TEL 043-265-3111

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