Chiba Nanohana News (June 17, 2026)

 Index

I.News     II.Festivals and Events

I.News 

1) Appointment of CHI-BA+KUN Global Partners

The Chiba Prefectural Government works to support the creation of a prefecture in which all residents, regardless of nationality, language, culture, or customs, can live and work together in harmony. To further this aim, the "CHI-BA+KUN Global Partners" Program has been in place since 2020 (called "CHI-BA+KUN Partner" from 2020 to 2023). The program invites foreign residents to make use of their unique perspectives to offer their opinions on prefectural policies and share information with the public.

On Monday, April 20th, 30 foreign residents who live, work, or study in Chiba Prefecture were appointed as CHI-BA+KUN Global Partners for the 2026-2027 fiscal year in a ceremony held at the Chiba Prefectural Government Office.

CHI-BA+KUN Global Partners Overview

1. Number of Participants: 30
2. Countries/Regions Represented
   ・Vietnam: 8 people
   ・Taiwan: 6 people
   ・Sri Lanka, Myanmar, U.K., Peru: 2 people each
   ・China, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Canada, Pakistan, Italy, Australia: 1 person each
3. Appointment Duration: through March 2027
4. Activity Details
   ・Take part in opinion exchange meetings and participate in questionnaires
   ・Participate in events and "monitor tours" held by the Prefecture and promote Chiba’s appeal
   ・Distribute information from the Prefecture
   ・Contribute to the Prefectural Government's efforts in making Chiba Prefecture a more comfortable place to live
5. Inquiries: Chiba Prefectural Government International Affairs Division, Multicultural Coexistence Promotion Section
   TEL: 043-223-2436
   CHI-BA+KUN Global Partners Website

II.Festivals and Events

1)Oga Lotus Festival 2026 ／ Chiba Park〔Chiba City〕

The Oga lotus is the world’s oldest lotus, excavated from ancient layers of soil and successfully germinated and cultivated. It was discovered in 1951 in Kemigawa, Chiba City (present-day Asahigaokacho, Hanamigawa Ward) by a group led by Dr. Ichiro Oga, and dating tests revealed that it is at least 2,000 years old. The Oga lotus, an ancient symbol of romance that awoke from a 2,000-year slumber, was designated as the official flower of Chiba City in 1993.

Various events related to the Oga Lotus will be held around the Renge-tei Pavilion and the Lotus Pond in Chiba Park. On weekends, there will be guided tours, zobihai (in which lotus leaves are used as cups to hold drinks), and performances featuring the koto and Japanese drums, as well as food trucks. On weekdays, there will be mini lectures and guided tours by those who take care of the lotus plants. Come and admire the graceful Oga lotus.

Zobihai

Pour your drink into a lotus leaf and use the stem as a straw to drink!
June 20^th (Saturday), 21^st (Sunday), 27^th (Saturday), 28^th (Sunday)
First 100 people on each day (tickets handed out from 9 a.m., event starts at 9:30 a.m.

Oga lotus guided tours

June 20^th (Saturday), 21^st (Sunday), 27^th (Saturday), 28^th (Sunday), 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

Mini guided tours

June 23^rd (Tuesday), 25^th (Thursday), between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. based on demand

【Mini lectures (paid; reception on day-of)】

1. Moss ball activity (wrapping plant roots in soil and covering them with moss)
   June 22^nd (Monday), 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (12 people max)
2. Houseplant arrangements
   June 24^th (Wednesday), 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (12 people max)
3. Stenciling (hands-on activity where you paint sheets with carved images of the Oga lotus and various letters/characters)
   June 26^th (Friday), 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (12 people max)

 

• Festival period: June 20^th, 2026 (Saturday) to 28^th (Sunday), 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Venue: Chiba Park ／ 3-1-1 Benten, Chuo-ku, Chiba City
• Cost: Only the mini lectures and select stalls are paid
• Access : (by train) 1-minute walk from Chiba-koen Station (Chiba Urban Monorail), or a 10-minute walk from JR Chiba Station Chiba-koen Exit (left after exiting main ticket gate)
• Inquiries: Chiba City Green Policy Division Green and Flower Promotion Office  TEL:043-245-5775
• Event website

2)Tomisato Watermelon Festival: 100 Years of Tomisato Watermelons ／ Tomisato Central Community Center〔Tomisato City〕

Tomisato City, one of Japan’s leading regions in watermelon production, is celebrating 100 years of watermelon cultivation, which began in 1926.

To celebrate this milestone and promote the further development of Tomisato watermelons, the city is hosting an event where visitors can enjoy the charm of watermelons once again this year.

In addition to watermelon-themed activities, there will be a market selling locally grown vegetables. You will also be able to purchase the watermelons entered into the watermelon competition held the day before.

Event Details

1. Performance by the Tomisato Hizume Taiko Drum Group
2. Performances by Orakino, Maikai Michiko Hula & Tahitian Studio, and four other groups
3. Agricultural and livestock products, including Tomisato watermelons and local vegetables, will be for sale
4. Free distribution of sliced watermelon (once in the morning and once in the afternoon)
5. Entries from the watermelon competition will be for sale (from 1:30 p.m. until supplies last) *Numbered tickets will be distributed in advance at the competition venue

*The above information is subject to change.

*Please check the website for more details.

 

• Date: June 21^st (Sunday), 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Venue: Tomisato Central Community Center parking lot／652-1 Nanae, Tomisato City
• Access : (by train) From Narita Station (JR Narita Line) or Keisei-Narita Station (Keisei Main Line), take the Keisei-Chiba East bus bound for Kuno and Ryogoku and get off at Tomisato Junior High School or Tomisato Nokyo/Tomisato Shiyakusho-mae
• Inquiries: Tomisato City Tomisato City Industry Festival Executive Office TEL: 0476-93-4943

3)Seasonal Flowers: Hydrangeas and Japanese Irises

※Please note that full bloom may vary depending on the weather.

1.Hondo-ji Temple (Matsudo City)

Hondo-ji Temple is also known as the “hydrangea temple” and is famous for its hydrangeas and irises in early summer. In early June, 5,000 irises bloom, and by late June more than ten varieties of hydrangeas color the temple grounds.

• Viewing period: Early June (irises), late June (hydrangeas)
• Venue: Hondo-ji Temple, 63 Hiraga, Matsudo City
• Cost:【Temple admission】¥500 for adults (middle school and up), free for elementary school and under, 300 for those with disabilities (must present disability certificate)
• Access:（By car）15 minutes on the Nagareyama IC on the Joban Expressway
  　        （By train） 15-min walk from Kita-Kogane Station (JR Joban Line)
• Inquiries: Flower & Autumn Foliage Information Hotline 047-341-0405 *Available only in June and November
• Hondo-ji Temple website

2.Hattori Hydrangea House (Mobara City)〕

Hattori Hydrangea House boasts vast grounds covering a total area of 27,000 square meters. During the season from early June to early July, over 10,000 hydrangea plants of 250 varieties bloom in vibrant colors across approximately 18,000 square meters, completely filling the area with hydrangeas. The ability to enjoy panoramic views of the hydrangea fields from any vantage point is unique to Hattori Farm, attracting many tourists not only from within the prefecture but also from far away, making it a major tourist attraction in Mobara.

• Viewing period: Early June to early July
• Venue: Hattori Hydrangea House, 719 Sangaya, Mobara City
• Cost: \600 for middle school and up, \300 for elementary school
• Access:（By car） 15 minutes from the Mobara-Chonan IC on the Ken-o Expressway
  　          (By train) 10 minutes by taxi from Mobara Station (JR Sotobo Line)
• Inquiries: Hattori Hydrangea House TEL: 0475-24-8511

3.Mamembara Highlands (Otaki Town)

Approximately 20,000 hydrangeas bloom on these mountain slopes, and you can enjoy a beautiful, majestic panoramic view from the observation deck at Myohosho-ji Temple, which is situated at the summit. The temperatures are cooler compared to the flatlands, meaning the flowers bloom slightly late and can be enjoyed until mid-July. Traffic restrictions may be in place during hydrangea season, so make sure to check the website before visiting.

• Viewing period: Early June to early July
• Location: Mamembara Highlands, 1749 Tsutsumori, Otaki Town, Isumi District
• Access:（By car）1 hour from the Ichihara-Tsurumai IC on the Ken-o Expressway
• Inquiries: Otaki Town Tourism Association TEL: 0470-80-1146
• Otaki Town Tourism Association website

 

I.News     II.Festivals and Events