Chiba Nanohana News (May 15, 2026)

 Index

 I.Festivals and Events

I.Festivals and Events

1) Game Market 2026 Spring／Makuhari Messe〔Chiba City〕

Get ready for Game Market 2026 Spring, an event featuring analog games that use no electricity. Exhibitors will be selling board, card, table-top RPG, simulation, and murder mystery games in a variety of genres. Also, don’t miss the abundant game manuals, pieces, dice, and other goods available for purchase.

At the playtest booth, visitors can try out games for themselves. With a play corner for children and riddle-solving games, anyone regardless of age or gender can spend the day enjoying the charm of analog games. We look forward to welcoming you!

 

• Date: May 23, 2026 (Saturday), 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  　      May 24, 2026 (Sunday), 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Venue: Makuhari Messe／2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City *Exhibition Halls 1-4
• Entry fee: ¥1,500 for pre-purchased e-tickets; ¥2,000 for same-day tickets paid by cash
• Access: (By train) 5-minute walk from Kaihin-Makuhari Station (JR Keiyo Line)
  　         20-minute walk from Makuhari-Toyosuna Station (JR Keiyo Line)
  　         17 minutes on the bus bound for Makuhari Messe Chuo from Makuharihongo Station (JR Sobu Line/Keisei Chiba Line)
• Inquiries: gamemarket@arclight.co.jp
• Game Market 2026 Spring website  

2) Yachimata! Crazy Delicious! Ramen Festival／Keyakinomori Park〔Yachimata City〕

This year marks the 5^th annual Yachimata! Crazy Delicious! Ramen Festival. As usual, the event will feature popular ramen shops from all over the country. The shops will take turns switching out, with each week seeing 8 new shops for a total of 32 shops participating.

2026 is especially important, as it marks the 150^th anniversary of the introduction of peanuts to Chiba Prefecture, which is why this year’s theme has been designated as “The Possibilities of Peanuts.” Accordingly, all participating shops will provide special ramen toppings that use peanuts in some way.

The venue’s dining space even has a tent so that you can enjoy ramen rain or shine. On the weekends during the event period, idol groups, including Yachimata publicity ambassadors RAKKASEI MUSUME, will take the stage and perform live. On Sundays, there will also be a comedy show.

 

• Period: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from May 15, 2026 (Friday) until June 7, 2026 (Sunday) *May be cancelled in the event of bad weather
  　Fridays: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  　Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  　Sundays: 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Venue: Keyakinomori Park／245 Yachimataho, Yachimata City
• Fee: Free to enter, Food ticket: 1,000 per
• Access: (By car) 20 minutes from the Sakura IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway
  　　      20 minutes from the Shisui IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway
          　 (By train) 5-minute walk from Yachimata Station South Exit (JR Sobu Main Line)
• Inquiries: Yachimata Chamber of Commerce and Industry Young Entrepreneurs Group 043-443-3021

3)Ichihara Open Garden 2026／Multiple locations in Ichihara city〔Ichihara City〕

Ichihara City is welcoming its 16^th annual Ichihara Open Garden this year, which will showcase the gardens of many hard-working residents.

Come and take a look at the wonderful gardens of Ichihara.

History of Open Gardens

Open Garden was started in the 1920s by British organization The National Garden Scheme (NGS), which allows public access to privately-owned gardens at their peak and uses the entrance fee funds for charity. These open gardens and their introductions can be found in what is referred to as the Yellow Book.

Ichihara Open Garden began in 2010 as part of a campaign to bring awareness to natural landscapes. As of 2017, the event has been co-hosted by the Ichihara Flower Club, a local organization, and in 2019 HIBIYA-Amenis CO., LTD., the designated manager of Kazusa Sarashina Park, also become a co-host for total of three sponsors.

 

• Period: May 9, 2026 (Saturday) to June 7, 2026 (Sunday)
• Venue: Roughly 12 locations in Ichihara City
• Inquiries: Ichihara City Urban Planning Division

4) Suigo Sawara Iris Festival／Suigo Sawara Ayame Park〔Katori City〕

The season for irises, known as 'ayame' in Japan, has arrived at Suigo Sawara Ayame Park, a part of the Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park characterized by water and greenery. More than 1,500,000 irises of 400 varieties are in bloom, painting the park in shades of purple.

The irises fall under several strains including the elegant and prolific Edo strain, the large and glamorous Higo strain, and the delicate three-petaled Ise strain. Varieties of irises with elegant names such as "Fujibakama" and "Dainagon" blossom profusely in a blend of white, purple, and yellow.

You can also tour the park on a small Sappa boat (fees apply) for a different view of the irises. The helmswomen maneuvering the boat with a pole, dressed in their Kasuri-patterned attire, red aprons, tabi socks, and triangular woven hats, is a sight that can only be seen during this season.

《Events during festival period》

1. Opening day: May 23 (Saturday), from 8:00 a.m. （free iris sprouts for the first 100 visitor）
2. Yomeiri-fune (Bridal boat): May 31 (Sunday), June 6 (Saturday), June 13 (Saturday), from 10:30 a.m. each day (cancelled in the event of rain)
3. Yomeiri-fune experience: May 30 (Saturday), June 7 (Sunday), June 13 (Saturday), from 11:00 a.m. each day (cancelled in the event of rain)

※Please refer to the facility’s website for more details about what is available during this festival.

 

• Period: May 23 (Saturday) to June 21 (Sunday), 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Venue: Suigo Sawara Ayame Park, 1837-2 Ogishima, Katori City
• Entrance fee: ¥800 for adults (ages 15-64), ¥700 for those 65 years and over, ¥400 for elementary and junior high school students
• Access:
    (By car) 30-minute drive from Sawara Katori IC or Taiei IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway, or 25-minute drive from Kozaki IC on    the Ken-o Expressway
    (By train) 25 minutes by shuttle bus from Sawara Station (JR Narita line)
    Bus fare: ¥500 for junior high school students and over, ¥250 for elementary school students, free for those under elementary       　  school age (*shuttle bus only runs during the festival period)
• Inquiries: Suigo Sawara Ayame Park 0478-56-0411
                 Suigo Sawara Tourism Association 0478-52-6675 *For inquiries about the Iris Festival

 

 

I.Festivals and Events