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Update: March 19, 2024

Chiba Nanohana News (February 2021)

 Index

   I. Charm of Chiba   II. Exhibitions and Concerts  

I. Charm of Chiba

1) Chiba’s Strawberries

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!

Lots of strawberries

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.  

<About the “CHI-BA+BERRY”>

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.

<How to Preserve Strawberries>

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. 

<How to Choose a Delicious Strawberry>

Fresh strawberries

When buying and choosing strawberries, please look out for the following:

  • The strawberry has a reddish color all the way to the base of the fruit.
  • The stalk is straight and has a vivid green color.
  • The fruit is plump and shiny.
  • The seeds of the strawberry are distinctly aligned.

<Where to Buy Strawberries>

2) A Collection of Chiba’s Specialty Products

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?

1. Kazusa Wagyu Beef (Kimitsu City)

Kazusawagyu04

(C) Kazusa Wagyu Kobo Co., Ltd.

Kazusawagyu01

(C) Kazusa Wagyu Kobo Co., Ltd.

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外部サイトへのリンク

2. Narashino Sausage (Narashino City)

Narasino Sausage

(C) Narashino Chamber of
Commerce and Industry

Narashino Sausage Gift

(C) Narashino Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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.”

3. Nure-senbei (Choshi City)

Nuresenbei Choshi 1

(C) Choshi Electric Railway Co., Ltd.

Nuresenbei Choshi 2

(C) Choshi Electric Railway
Co., Ltd.

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.

4. Sparkling Pear Wine (Kamagaya City)

Nashi Sparkling Wine

(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.

5. Minamiboso Flower Gift (Minamiboso City)

Flower Gift

(C) Michi-no-Eki
Otsu-no-Sato Hana Club

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)

II. Exhibitions and Concerts 

1) “Genki Ippai! Chiba Family Concert” Now Available on Video

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!

1.Chiba Family Concert in Nanso (Video)

Preconcert / Tateyama Elementary School Music Club
Conductor: Tomoko Sasho
  • Gen Hoshino: “Doraemon”
  • Hiroshi Miyagawa: “Space Battleship Yamato”
  • Kenshi Yonezu: “Paprika”
Chiba Family Concert in Nanso- The holidays are coming up! Let’s travel around the world with music! / Chiba Symphony Orchestra   Conductor: Kazufumi Yamashita
  • Grieg: “Morning” from Peer Gynt Suite. No. 1
  • Beethoven: Romance No. 2 in F Major Op. 50 Violin: Koji Morishita
  • Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor
  • Tchaikovsky: “Valse des fleurs” from Nutcracker Suite No.1
Joint performance / Tateyama Elementary School Music Club & Chiba Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Tomoko Sasho
  • Satoshi Yagisawa: Inspire! ~ Journey of a Child’s Dream~

2.Chiba Family Concert in Toso (Video)

Preconcert / Asahi Boys and Girls Chorus
 Conductor: Tomoko Takagi

  • “Hello, Hello, Gran Papa” Lyrics: Sumako Fukao Music: Yoshinao Nakata

  • Christmas Medley

Chiba Family Concert in Toso- The holidays are coming up! Let’s travel around the world with music! / Chiba Symphony Orchestra  Conductor: Kazufumi Yamashita

  • 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

Joint performance / Asahi Boys and Girls Chorus & Chiba Symphony Orchestra   
Conductor: Kazufumi Yamashita

  • Mozart: “Ave verum Corpus”

  • Ryuichi Sugimoto: “Believe K.618”

 

 

Duration: January 22, 2021 (Fri) – January 31, 2022 (Mon)

  • Where to watch: Chiba Prefecture Culture Promotion Foundation’s YouTube Channel

  • Inquiries: Chiba Prefecture Culture Promotion and Citizens’ Life Affairs Division TEL: 043-223-2406

2) Classic and Sports Cars at the Science Museum WEB／Chiba Museum of Science and Industry

Ford Model T

Ford Model T

Subaru 360

Subaru 360

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!

 

  • Exhibition name: Classic Cars and Sports Cars at the Science Museum WEB
  • Exhibition duration: January 5 (Tues) - March 31 (Wed)
  • Inquiries: Chiba Museum of Science and Industry外部サイトへのリンク
  • TEL: 047-379-2005

※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.)

 

  I. Charm of Chiba   II. Exhibitions and Concerts    

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