Chiba Nanohana News (March 2019)

 Index

　I.News       II . Festivals and Events　　　 III.Exhibitions, Concerts, etc.

 I.News

 1) Delegation from Hamburg, Germany Visits Chiba to Discuss Renewable Energy

A delegation consisting of members from the government of Hamburg, researchers, scholars, and energy company representatives visited Choshi City in Chiba on February 26, to discuss expanding cooperation in the energy sector between Hamburg and Chiba, particularly in the field of wind energy. Representatives from the Chiba Prefectural Government as well as from TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company)presented the latest information regarding the status of wind energy in the Prefecture.

 Choshi City in particular plays a large role in offshore wind energy development, boasting a turbine which is able to produce 2,400 kilowatts of electricity, as well as having onshore turbines scattered along the hills surrounding the city. The Choshi offshore wind turbine is the first of its kind in Japan, and has been in commercial operation since January 1^st of this year. After the talks, the group sailed to inspect the nearby offshore wind turbine.

Hamburg is the second most populous city in Germany, and is actively furthering the research and development of renewable energies, particularly wind energy, utilizing hydrogen with the assistance of P2G technologies in order to more efficiently make use of the surplus energy given off by wind turbines. Hamburg has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Fukushima Prefecture in September 2018 with the goal of promoting the development of hydrogen technologies between each other.

 

 

 2) Disaster Preparedness

March 11^th 2011 marks one of the largest natural disasters in modern Japanese history. The earthquake and following tsunami caused enormous damage and Chaos.  

Chiba Prefecture provides disaster related information through the website “Chiba Prefecture Disaster Prevention Portal”. Some pages are available in Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese.

http://www.bousai.pref.chiba.lg.jp/( External link )

Earthquakes

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. The following types of daily preparations are necessary to limit the damages caused by earthquakes.

• 1 Home safety inspection
  - Firmly secure furniture and large electrical appliances. Don’t set anything on top of the furniture.
• 2 Have sufficient water and food on hand.
  - In the event of an earthquake, water and food are the first things to be concerned about. Humans need to drink three liters of water a day. Have at least three days worth of preserved or mineral water ready. (Seven days worth of water is recommended.)
  - Have foods on hand that stay edible for a long time, such as canned foods, pot noodles, biscuits, etc.
• 3 Prepare an emergency survival kit
  - Prepare flashlights and portable radios, which are essential items for evacuation and gathering information. Check the batteries and make sure to have spare batteries.
  - Make sure to prepare whatever items your family may require, such as medicine, or powdered milk and diapers if you have a baby.
• 4 Family meetings
  - Confirm what to do if an earthquake occurs, who will do what, and how to get in contact with each other. Confirm shelters and routes in the event that you need to evacuate your home. 

Tsunami

Because Chiba Prefecture has a long coastline and is enclosed on three sides by the sea, damage from a tsunami in the event of an earthquake is a major concern.

When you have felt a strong earthquake (seismic intensity of 4 or greater), or when there has been a weak earthquake but you have felt slow tremors for an extended period of time, leave the coast beach immediately, move to higher ground and quickly take shelter in a safe location.

Because tsunamis strike repeatedly in a series of waves, do not relax your vigilance until the tsunami warning or advisory has been lifted. 

How to get home safely in a disaster

In the event of a large natural disaster, public transportation stops, and it is possible that returning home would be difficult.

If a large number of people begin to walk home at the same time, objects falling from buildings pose a danger, and rescue operations become hindered.

After a disaster, do not act recklessly. First, ensure your own safety, then proceed to your workplace or a safe location able to house many people.

Only start to return home once the situation has calmed down.

Be sure to prepare food, drink, radios, batteries, maps, sneakers, flashlights, and other disaster aid goods in your workplace.

In order to help people get home safely, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and three prefectures, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba are working together with various convenience stores, gas stations, and restaurants to create “Disaster Stations” that can help support travelers. Watch for stickers like these that mark the location of establishments that can offer water, bathrooms, and information in the event of a disaster. 

 

 

 II.  Festivals and Events 

 1) 8th "Strawberry Hometown: Sanmu" S1 Grand Prix & Sakura Festival (Sanmu City)

The 8^th annual “Strawberry Hometown: Sanmu S1 Grand Prix” will also be held this year.

The letter “S” in “S1” stands for the “S” in the words Sanmu, Strawberry, Sweets, and Sakura.

Sweets using Sanmu City’s special strawberries will be assembled, and a grand prix (taste contest) will be held using votes by guests in attendance.

Why not come and compare delicious sweets with us?

• Date and time: Saturday, March 30, 10:00-15:00 *held even in the event of rain (canceled in the event of a storm)
• Location: Sanmu City Sanbunomori Park/1904-5 Haniya, Sanmu City
• Access: 30 minutes on foot from Hyuga Station on the JR Sobu Line
  10-15 minutes by car from Sambu Naruto IC (Ken-O Expressway)
• URL: http://www.city.sammu.lg.jp/( External link )
• Inquiries: S1 Grand Prix Planning Committee Office TEL-0475-80-1202

 2) Japan Heritage Sakura Castle Town Experience Tour "Samurai Walk" (Sakura City)

A “samurai walk” has been held since last November, in which participants dress up as a samurai and tour the Makata Shrine, the famous photo spot “Hiyodori Hill”, samurai residences and other samurai-related spots with a guide. During the tour, participants learn about samurai etiquette, culture, and sword technique.

Prices: 6,500 yen per person, groups of 3 or above 6,000 person *lunch/facility admission fees included

Registration: Reservation site “voyagin”

Sakura City Tourism Association (8-7 Sakaecho Sakura City)

TEL: 043-486-6000

E-mail:sakurashi-kankou@catv296.ne.jp

• Date and time: March 23 (Sat)/April 9 (Tue) 27 (Sat)/ May 14 (Tue) 25 (Sat)
  10:00-13:20

• Location: Former Hirai family house, Hiyodori Hill among other locations

• Access: 15 minutes on foot from Sakura Station on the JR Sobu Line or from Keisei Sakura Station on the Keisei Line

 3) Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Chiba

Every spring, people gather in parks across the country as the sakura trees burst into pink and white blossoms, then fade and flutter to the ground in poetic fashion. The season has inspired poetry, songs, paintings, photography, and all kinds of art. Here are some of the best places in Chiba to hold a hanami, or flower-viewing party, beneath the beautiful blossoms.

Funabashi Andersen Park (Funabashi City)

Best spot: Wanpaku Kingdom Zone

• When to go: Early March-Late April
• Number of trees: 800
• Location: Funabashi Andersen Park/525 Kanehoricho, Funabashi City
• Access: Shin-Keisei bus in the direction of Secomedic Byoin departing from Misaki Station on the Shin-Keisei Line getting off at “Andersen Koen” stop
• Inquiries: Funabashi Andersen Park TEL: 047-457-6627

Shimizu Park (Noda City)

One of the top 100 sakura places in Japan; sakura festival is middle March to early April.

• When to go: Early April
• Number of trees: 2,000
• Location: 906 Shimizu, Noda City
• Access: 5 minutes on foot from Shimizu-Koen Station on the Tobu Urban Park Line, west exit
• Inquiries: Shimizu Park Management Office TEL:04-7125-3030

Omigawajoyama Park (Katori City)

• When to go: Early-Mid April
• Number of trees: 1,000
• Location: 431 Omigawa, Katori City
• Access: 20 minutes on foot from Omigawa Station on the JR Narita Line
• Inquiries: Suigo Omigawa Tourism Association (within the Katori City Commerce and Tourism Division) TEL:0478-50-1212

Manzai Nature Park (Asahi City)

• When to go: Early-Mid April
• Number of trees: 2000
• Location: 363-1 Sakurai, Asahi City
• Access: 15 minutes by taxi from Asahi Station on the JR Sobu Line
  35 minutes by car from the Higashi-Kanto Expressway “Taiei Interchange” changing to Prefecture Highway 70
  Take the highway from the Chiba Togane Highway to the Choshi connecting road, 40 minutes by car from the last stop, “Yokoshibahikari Interchange”
• Inquiries: Asahi City Urban Development Division TEL:0479-62-5354

Nagara Town Agriculture Exchange Center (Nagara Town)

• When to go: Late March—early April
• Number of trees: 3,200
• Location: 70-15 Yamanogo, Nagara Town
• Access: 15 minutes by car from Mobara-Chonan IC (Ken-O Expressway)
• Inquiries: Nagara Town Agriculture Exchange Center TEL:0475-35-0055

Sakuma Dam Park (Kyonan Town)

• Best spot: the sakura festival event on Sunday,March 31
• When to go: Late February—mid April
• Number of trees: 2,000
• Location: 39 Okuzure, Kyonan Town
• Access: From Hota Station or Awa-Katsuyama Station on the JR Uchibo Line, take the town loop bus and get off at “Sakuma dam iriguchi.”
• Inquiries: Kyonan Town Tourism Association Hota Station Information Center TEL:0470-55-1683

 

 

 4) Kominato Railway Satoyama Trolley Service (Ichihara City)

A trolley service will be operated in which you will be able to feel the Satoyama countryside’s four seasons on your skin. "Satoyama" is a hilly wooden countryside which has played an important role in people's lives for centuries.

The locomotive which will pull the passenger car is a recreation of the train which was actually used in the past. It will be moved by a clean diesel engine, in line with modern technology. There will be four passenger cars, two of which will have their windows removed so you can feel Satoyama’s wind on your skin. All four cars will have a glass ceiling.

The trolley will run from Kazusa Ushiku Station to Yoro Keikoku Station. The stations where it will be possible get off or board the train are Kazusa Ushiku Station, Satomi Station, Tsukizaki Station, and Yoro Keikoku Station. The train has a limited capacity, so a regular ticket as well as a special numbered ticket will be required for both windowed and non-windowed cars.

The special numbered trolley ticket can be reserved online or by telephone. On the day you plan to ride the trolley, please inform that you have reserved a ticket to the official at one of the stations which the trolley will stop at and purchase the ticket there.

More information regarding the service and reservations can be found on the homepage.

• Time period: Saturday, March 16~
• Service Areas of Operation: Kazusa Ushiku Station ~ Yoro Keikoku Station
• Trolley Stops: Kazusa Ushiku Station, Satomi Station, Tsukizaki Station, Yoro Keikoku Station
• Fees: A special numbered ticket is required along with a regular ticket. (500 yen, same price for both adults and children, infants are also required to have a ticket if they will occupy a separate seat).
  ※The price of the ticket varies depending on where you get on or off the train, e.g. Kazusa Ushiku Station ~Yoro Keikoku Station one-way 760 yen, Satomi Station ~ Yoro Keikoku Station one-way 410 yen
• Access: Change to the Kominato Railway at the Goi Station on the JR Uchibo Line, then 30 minutes to Kazusa Ushiku Station
  Kazusa Ushiku Station/Satomi Station: 15 minutes by car from the Ichihara Tsurumai IC off the Ken-o Expressway
  Yoro Keikoku Station: 30 minutes by car from the Ichihara Tsurumai IC off the Ken-o Expressway
• URL: https://www.kominato.co.jp/satoyamatorocco/index.html( External link ) (Trolley homepage)
          https://www.kominato.co.jp/( External link ) (Kominato Railway homepage)
• Phone reservation/ Inquiries: 0436-23-5584 Kominato Railway Company Satoyama Trolley Group

 5) Flower Easter/Sanyo Media Flower Museum (Chiba City)

Flower Easter
Time period: Tuesday, March 5 - Sunday, March 31

A flowery Easter full of multi-colored spring flowers. Spring, a season perfect for flower lovers.

Atrium

~Early Spring Garden~ (Easter Garden) ~ Sunday, March 31

A rabbit and egg have appeared in in the atrium’s flower bed full of colorful flowers!

Be sure to take a picture inside of the large egg!

Easter Games Corner

• - Make an egg tree!
• - Egg Hunt

Get in the Easter mood with these fun games!

Arts and Crafts Experience

• - Make a sparkling case out of resin! Saturday, March 16, Saturday, March 30 11:00-12:30, 13:00-15:00
• - Egg Pomander ~Cute Scented Beads~ Thursday, March 21 (Holiday) 11:00-12:30 13:00-15:00
• - Pressed Flower Wall Decoration Sunday, March 17, Sunday, March 31 11:00-12:30 13:00-15:00

Concert

• - Spring Ocarina Concert Thursday, March 21 (Holiday) 14:00-15:00

Special Exhibitions

• - Enjoy Life with a Stencil Tuesday, March 5 - Sunday, March 10
• - Flowers and Crafts Tuesday, March 26 - Sunday, March 31

 

• Museum Closed dates: Mondays (if Monday falls on a holiday, the following day is closed)
• Location: Sanyo Media Flower Museum (Chiba City) 7-2-4 Takahama, Mihama-ku, Chiba City
• Admission: Adults 300 yen, Elementary/Middle School Students 150 yen (group discounts available)
• Access:
  ・From Bus Line 2 at the West exit of Inage Station on the JR Sobu Line
  Kaihinkotsu Bus bound for "Kaihin Koen Pool" getting off at the "Hanano Bijutsukan" stop or, 5 minutes on foot getting off at the last stop on the Bus bound for "Takahama shako"
  ・from Bus Line 2 at the South exit of Inage Kaigan Station on the JR Keiyo Line
  5 minutes on foot getting off at the last stop on the Bus bound for "Kaihin Koen Iriguchi" 
• Inquiries: Sanyo Media Flower Museum, Chiba City TEL 043-277-8776  

 6) Kozaki Sakagura Festival (Kozaki Town)

The Sakagura (Sake Brewery) Festival will be held throughout all of Kozaki Town. This festival is centered around Nabedana and Terada Honke, two sake breweries that boast a tradition of over 300 years. There will be brewery tours, free sake sampling, and sales on brews only available for purchase at the festival. Music and dance performances will be held on the mini-stages set up within the brewery grounds and along the street.              

• Date: Sunday, March 17, 9:00-15:30
• Location: Nabedana Kozaki Brewery/Terada Honke and surrounding areas
• Access: 20 minutes on foot from Shimousa-Kozaki Station (JR Narita Line) ※free shuttle bus from station to event location
  5 minutes from the Kozaki Interchange  off the Ken-o Expressway, about 2000 space parking lot available ※please refrain from drinking alcohol if you are driving.
• URL: http://www.town.kozaki.chiba.jp/( External link )
• Inquiries: Hakko-no-Sato Kozaki Sakagura Festival Planning Committee (within the Kozaki Town Development Division) TEL 0478-72-2114

 

 III. Exhibitions, Concerts, etc.

 1) Chiba Prefectural Art Museum Winter Art Collection (Chiba City)

1) Art Collection + Modern Figurative Sculptures –Sculptor Shinji Miyasaka and other Artworks from the Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art-

Since 2016, works focusing on young Chiba artists has been on display. Marking the third year of this exhibition, this year, works of the sculptor Shinji Miyasaka is on display. After finishing his studies at Tsukuba Graduate School, he has displayed his works at fine arts and fine sculpting exhibitions, receiving awards. He is currently working as an assistant professor at Tsukuba Graduate School.

• - Time period: until Sunday, April 14
• - Location: Chiba Prefectural Art Museum 7^th Exhibition Room

2)Sculptor Exhibition –Pioneers of Figurative Sculpting-

“Figurative Sculpting” is a term used to describe a work of art which uses people, animals, or figures close to our everyday lives as its subject. In this exhibition, works from the pioneer of modern Japanese sculpting, Sojiro Ogura will be on display, as well as works from Kotaro Takamura, a sculptor who has achieved tremendous success, along with works from sculptors such as Tsutomu Osuga and Ko Hasegawa whom used Chiba as their base of operation while working.

• - Time period: until Sunday, April 14
• - Location: Chiba Prefectural Art Museum 1^st/2^nd Exhibition Rooms

3)The Pioneer of Modern Western Art, Chu Asai 9–Chu Asai’s Time in Kyoto-

In the winter art collection, works from Chu Asai, an artist with a deep connection to Chiba Prefecture, are displayed. In the event of the 9^th exhibition of his works, portraits, watercolor paintings, and other works made by the artist during his time spent in Kyoto will be on display, as well as works created by artists who were instructed by him.

• - Time period: until Sunday, April 14
• - Location: Chiba Prefectural Art Museum 3^rd Exhibition Room

4) Kitazume Collection: The World of Metal Art III –The Appeal of Engraving-

Works focusing on engraving techniques from the collection of Hideo Kitazume will be on display, including the works of artists such as Senroku Kitahara, Yoshiyuki Chosa, Yo Nobuta, and other famous artists.

• - Time period: until Sunday, April 14
• - Location: Chiba Prefectural Art Museum 3^rd Exhibition Room

5) Masterpiece Collection

Works from the museum’s Western/Japanese/Engravings Art Collection, primarily by artists from the Barbizon school such as Millet and Corot, will be on display, as well as famous Japanese nature-themed works.

• - Time period: until Sunday, April 14
• - Location: Chiba Prefectural Art Museum 8^th Exhibition Room

 

• Location: Chiba Prefectural Art Museum/1-10-1 Chuo Minato, Chuo-ku, Chiba City
• Admission: Exhibition Rooms 1,2,3,8 for the Art Collections: General 300 yen, High School/University Students 150 yen, Middle Schoolers or below/ aged 65 or above free
  Exhibition Room 7: Free
• Access: 10 minutes on foot from Chiba Minato Station on the JR Keiyo Line or Chiba Urban Monorail
• URL: http://www2.chiba‐muse.or.jp/ART/ ( External link )
• Inquiries: Chiba Prefectural Art Museum TEL043-242-8311

 

 

 2) Museum of Aeronautical Sciences (Shibayama Town) 

Aerospace Junk Market

• - Dates and times: Saturday, March 9 10:00-17:00 Sunday, March 10 10:00-16:00
• - Location: Museum of Aeronautical sciences 1^st floor multi-purpose room
• - Admission: Museum admission fee only

A very well-received regular event, rare aviation and airline goods will be sold at a bargain price.

Aviation Talk (Pilot’s Speech)

• - Date and time: Sunday, March 17 13:00-
• - Location: Museum of Aeronautical sciences 1^st floor multi-purpose room
• - Admission: Museum admission fee only

A lecture given by a JAL Pilot. He will be speaking about details of his work as well as things he personally experienced, so especially those wishing to become pilots in the future cannot miss this rare opportunity.

JGS Ground Handling Program

• - Date and time: Thursday, March 21 (Holiday) 10:00-16:00
• - Location: Both within and outside of the Museum of Aeronautical sciences
• - Admission: Museum admission fee only 

JAL Ground Service, tasked with indispensable ground work essential to flight operations, will be holding a seminar discussing their jobs. Visitors can experience how to guide airplanes as well.

“Aero-Art” Exhibition

• - Time period: until Sunday, March 24
• - Location: Museum of Aeronautical sciences 2^nd floor Exhibition Room
• - Admission: Museum admission fee only

Aeronautics themed items will be on display.
Award winning pieces from the “Airplane Picture Technique Summer Edition” photo contest will be on display through a collaboration with Ikaros Publications.

※Due to renovations in the museum, there is a chance that some parts of the exhibition may not be viewable. Thank you for your understanding.

 

• Open hours: 10:00~17:00 (last entrance 16:30) closed on Monday (if Monday falls on a holiday, the museum will be closed on the following day)
• Location: Museum of Aeronautical sciences / 111-3 Iwayama, Shibayama Town
• Admission: Adults 500 yen, Middle/High School Students 300 yen, aged 4-Elementary School Student: 200 yen
• Access: Getting off at the “Koku-kagaku Hakubutsukan” stop after riding 13 minutes on either the JR Bus or Narita Airport Transport Bus from either Narita Airport Terminal 2 Station or Narita Airport Station, on either the JR Narita Line or Keisei Line
  Express bus from Tokyo Station getting off at the “Koku-kagaku Hakubutsukan” stop
  10 minutes from the Narita Interchange off the Higashi Kanto Expressway
• URL: http://www.aeromuseum.or.jp( External link )
• Inquiries: Museum of Aeronautical sciences TEL 0479-78-0557

  

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