Chiba Nanohana News (March 13, 2026)

 Index

I.News     II.Festivals and Events

I.News

1)CHIBA AQUALINE MARATHON 2026 Sign-ups for Runners (on a first-come-first-served basis)!

 

 

The CHIBA AQUALINE MARATHON 2026 will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Participants can take part in a rare opportunity to race on the bridge section of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line, which connects the shores of Chiba and Kanagawa Prefecture. Experience 360 degrees of sea and sky! Only at this event can participants feel the exhilaration of running above the sea towards the sky through the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line.

A combined total of 17,000 competitors will take part in marathon, half-marathon, and wheelchair half-marathon events.

Why not take this opportunity to accept a new challenge?

Overview

Type of event	Maximum number of entrants	Race start time	Race end time	Fee
Marathon  (42.195 km)	12,000 people	9:45 AM	4:00 PM	16,500 JPY
Half-marathon (21.0975 km)	5,000 people (including wheelchair half-marathon)	9:45 AM	1:10 PM	13,500 JPY
Wheelchair half-marathon (21.0975 km)	about 10 people	9:40 AM	10:55 AM	13,500 JPY

Registration start date (*all entry slots are on a first-come-first-served basis)

• Chiba Prefecture residents priority registration: Starting March 15 (Sunday), 8 P.M.
• General, overseas participants, student support, women’s support, etc. registration: Starting March 22 (Sunday), 8 P.M.

For more details about how to apply and more, please visit the CHIBA AQUALINE MARATHON 2026 official home page.

II.Festivals and Events 

1)Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Chiba

“Hanami” (cherry blossom viewing) is a popular traditional spring activity in Japan with a long history. Cherry blossoms are called “sakura” in Japanese and are by far the most anticipated flower every spring. When they are in bloom, people gather to take walks or have picnics under the trees, enjoying the brief one to two-week period in a year that these beautiful blossoms can be admired.

*Event periods may change depending on the flowering period.

1.Aobanomori Park (Chiba City)

Located in the urban area of Chiba City is the 53.7-hectare (or 132.7-acre) Aobanomori Park, which boasts around 1,500 cherry blossom trees. When they begin to bloom, usually in late March, the park is bustling with hordes of cherry blossom viewers. From the highest area of the park, dubbed “Sakura Mountain,” you can catch a glimpse of yaezakura from mid-April onwards, allowing the flowers to be enjoyed for an extended period.

• Viewing period: Late March to mid-April
• Scale: About 1,500 trees
• Type: 70 varieties including Somei-Yoshino, Kanzan, Oshima, Fugenzo, etc.
• Venue: 977-1 Aobacho, Chuo-ku, Chiba City
• Access:
  (By car) 5 minutes from the Matsugaoka IC on the Keiyo Expressway (paid parking)
  (By train) 8-minute walk from Chibadera Station (Keisei Chiba Line)
  From JR Chiba Station, take the bus from Terminal 2 via Hoshikukidai, get off at Koen-mae or Aobanomori Sports Plaza, and walk for 3 minutes
• Inquiries: Aobanomori Park Administration Office TEL: 043-208-1500

2.Funabashi Anderson Park (Funabashi City)

Nearly 800 cherry blossom trees in 15 different varieties bloom inside the park, with the highlights being the Wampaku Kingdom Zone and the area surrounding the “Rainbow Pond.” In addition to the cherry blossoms, about 150,000 flowers, including tulips, rapeseed, and daffodils, can be found throughout the park grounds.

• Viewing period: Mid-March to late April
• Scale: About 800 trees
• Type: Kanhi, Somei-Yoshino, Shidare, Yae, etc.
• Venue: 525 Kanehoricho, Funabashi City
• Access: (By train) From Misaki Station (Keisei Matsudo Line), take the bus bound for Anderson Park or Secomedic Hospital for 15 minutes, get off at Anderson Park, and walk for 1 minute
• Note: The fee to enter is ¥900 for adults, ¥600 for high school students (with ID), ¥200 for elementary and junior high school students, and ¥100 for other children aged 4 and up
• Inquiries: Funabashi Anderson Park TEL: 047-457-6627

3.Shimizu Park (Noda City)

Chosen as one of the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan, Shimizu Park sees around 2,000 cherry blossom trees in 50 varieties bloom, drawing large crowds each year.

• Viewing period: Late March to early April
• Scale: About 2,000 trees
• Type: 50 varieties, including Somei-Yoshino
• Venue: 906 Shimizu, Noda City
• Access: (By train) 10-minute walk from Shimizu Park Station (Tobu Urban Park Line, Tobu Noda Line)
• Inquiries: Shimizu Park Administration Office TEL: 04-7125-3030

4.Sanrizuka Memorial Park (Narita City)

A popular spot in the Narita Airport area for viewing cherry blossoms, Sanrizuka Memorial Park is visited by many who want to appreciate its beauty during the sakura season. Within the grounds, visitors can find an avenue lined with horse chestnut trees that frame preserves the former appearance of the Shimosa Imperial Stock Farm, as well as the Museum of Imperial Horse Husbandry and the guest house that served as accommodation for the imperial family. The park has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Historical Parks.

• Viewing period: Late March to early April
• Scale: About 50 trees
• Type: Somei-Yoshino, Oshima
• Venue: 1-34 Sanrizukagoryo, Narita City
• Access: (By train) From Narita Station (JR Narita Line), take the JR bus bound for Sanrizuka/Tako/Yokaichiba, get off at Sanrizuka, and walk for 3 minutes.
  From Keisei-Narita Station (Keisei Main Line), take the Honjodai Line (Keisei Bus Chiba East), get off at Sanrizuka Community Center, and walk for 9 minutes
• Inquiries: Narita City Sports and Greenery Promotion Foundation TEL: 0476-26-7251

5.Omigawa Joyama Park (Katori City)

I.News     II.Festivals and Events