Chiba Nanohana News (November 12, 2025)

 Index

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

I.News 

II.Festivals and Events 

1)Fall Foliage Viewing Spots in Chiba

1.Katori Jingu Shrine (Katori City)

Katori Jingu is the head shrine of approximately 400 Katori shrines nationwide. Located deep in the forest, the surrounding trees display their beautiful colors in fall. The vibrant gingko and maple leaves paint the expansive temple grounds in reds, oranges, and yellows, a sight that is sure to calm the heart of any visitor. November also sees the start of the Katori Jingu Chrysanthemum Festival, where 500 chrysanthemums will bloom throughout the grounds.

If you have the chance, come admire the brilliant fall landscape and make your way around the highlights of these historic grounds, such as the main hall, romon (two-storied) gate, okumiya (rear shrine), and kaname-ishi (foundation stone). Immerse yourself in this ideal autumn atmosphere.

• Viewing period: Late November to early December
• Location: Katori Jingu Shrine, 1697-1 Katori, Katori City
• Access:
  [By car] 2 minutes from the Sawara-Katori IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway
  [By train] 13-minute bus ride from Sawara Station or 30-minute walk from Katori Station (JR Narita Line)
• Inquiries: Katori Jingu Shrine TEL:0478-57-3211

2.Sakura Castle Ruins Park (Sakura City)

Sakura Castle Ruins Park, which was chosen as one of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan, is a cherished historic park boasting nature that visitors can enjoy throughout the changing seasons. During the peak of fall, the park is alight with the colors of the changing leaves and creates a special kind of charm when coupled with the elegance of the castle ruins. In the grounds, the foundation of the former Sakura Castle is still dotted about, with remnants of the main keep and the moat that has long since dried up. The stone walls and earthworks surrounded by autumn leaves speak of both the beauty of nature and the weight of the past. In particular, the 400-year-old Japanese ternstroemia trees that tower over the remains of the main keep, with their evergreen leaves turned crimson, add depth to the autumn landscape.

On the east side of the park is a management center displaying a model, old photographs, and archaeological relics of the castle. Furthermore, the National Museum of Japanese History, which was built from the remnants of the castle’s ni-no-maru (outer citadel), offers a glimpse of Japan’s ancient archeology, history, and folk traditions. Come enjoy the season at Sakura Castle Ruins Park, where the colors of autumn and histories long past are woven together.

• Viewing period: Mid-November to mid-December
• Location: Sakura Castle Ruins Park
• Cost: free to enter
• Access:
  [By train] 20-minute walk from Keisei-Sakura Station (Keisei Line) or 25-minute walk from Sakura Station (JR Sobu Main Line)
• Inquiries: Sakura City Parks and Greenery Division  TEL:043-484-6165

3.Shiraiwa / Yomogi Fudo Falls (Kamogawa City)

Yomogi Fudo Falls is a famous location for those seeking a glimpse of the changing leaves. Take Chiba Prefectural Road Route 81 (the Kiyosumi-Yoro Line) and the forest path, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by bamboo and Japanese cedar trees. Here, off the beaten track, is where you’ll discover this fall foliage viewing spot. In late autumn, the intense green gives way to reds and yellows which, coupled with the sparkling clear water of the falls, creates a magical atmosphere. Why not diverge from a typical day and spend it in this tranquil retreat surrounded by color?

Close to the boundary that separates Kamogawa City and Kimitsu City is Shiraiwa, another known spot to view fall foliage. Here, the towering white rock framed by the changing maple and oak tree leaves is a sight to behold. While the view from Shiraiwa Bridge is a must, you won’t want to miss the scenery as you gaze up on your way back down to the riverbed. With Shiraiwa being so close to the waterfall, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy these experiences together.

• Viewing period: Late November to early December
• Location: Shiraiwa / Yomogi Fudo Falls, in the Yomogi area, Kamogawa City
• Access:
  [By car] 70 minutes from the Kimitsu IC on the Tateyama Expressway

[By train] 2-hour walk (about 9 km) from Awa-Amatsu Station (JR Sotobo Line)

• Community bus available
• Inquiries: Kamogawa City Tourism Association, Amatsu-Kominato Tourist Information Center 04-7095-2218
• Kamogawa Navi website

4.Komatsu-ji Temple (Minamiboso City)

©Minamiboso City

Located deep in the mountains is a sacred site with over 1,300 years of history: Komatsu-ji Temple. One of the few popular spots to see fall foliage in Minamiboso, it is known as the “Temple of Autumn Leaves” because of the way the breathtaking maple and gingko leaves cover the grounds. Walking through the tunnel of leaves and passing by the vermillion-colored Deva gate, you can almost feel the stillness of the world spreading out before you. The vibrant colors only add to the mystical atmosphere, and the whimsical scenery of the trees lit up at night is something you can only enjoy during this season.

November welcomes the Komatsu-ji Temple Autumn Festival, which features various events hosted by locals of the area, such as an open-air tea ceremony, lottery contest, and farmer’s market. What’s more, the illumination in the evening offers temple-goers a different view of the leaves compared to the daytime.

• Viewing period: Mid-November to early December
• Location: Komatsu-ji Temple, 1057 Onuki, Chikuracho, Minamiboso City
• Access:
  [By car] 30 minutes from the Tomiura IC on the Futtsu-Tateyama Road
  [By train] 8-minute taxi from Chikura Station (JR Uchibo Line)
• Inquiries: Komatsu-ji Temple TEL:0470-44-2502

5.Lake Kameyama (Kimitsu City)

Lake Kameyama, where you can enjoy scenery unique to each of the four seasons, is the perfect spot to see fall foliage from mid-November to early December. By taking part in the 40-minute Lake Kameyama Autumn Leaves Viewing Cruise, you can paddle around the lake in a sightseeing boat and enjoy views of the foliage that can’t be seen from the land.

Other activities you can participate in include cycling the 25 bridges in the area, fishing, and boating. Kameyama Lakeside Park and a campsite are also nearby, making it an ideal place to pass the time surrounded by nature.

Upstream you’ll find Kameyama Dam, which has been designated as one of Kimitsu City’s “20^th Century Heritage Sites to Pass Down to the Next Generation.” Along the lakeshore are multiple options for hotels and onsen where you can rest your mind and body, perfect for spending a relaxing time unwinding.

• Viewing period: Mid-November to early December
• Location: Lake Kameyama, Kyukawamata, Kawamata, Kimitsu City
• Access:
  [By car] 30 minutes from the Kisarazu-Higashi IC on the Tateyama Expressway
  [By train] 7-minute walk from Kazusa-Kameyama Station (JR Kururi Line)
• Inquiries: Kimitsu City Travel & Tourism Association, Kameyama Branch TEL:0439-39-2535
• Kimitsu City website 

III.Exhibitions, Concerts, etc

1)The Netherlands x Chiba: Taking Photographs, Telling Stories –Sarah van Rij & David van der Leeuw with Yuki Shimizu– @ Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art (Chiba City)

This special exhibition introduces the works of up-and-coming Dutch photographers Sarah van Rij and David van der Leeuw and serves as a vehicle for wider cultural exchange with the Netherlands. This is the first time their photographs are on display in Japan. The exhibit highlights the unique characteristics of their street photography, such as abstract composition, reflections, use of shadow, and stylistic framing.

Because this is Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art’s first photography exhibition, there is also a focus on the history of photography in relation to Chiba. Through the approach of Chiba-based photographer and author Yuki Shimizu, the exhibit introduces a collection of historical photographs connected to Chiba from the Matsudo Tojo Museum of History and other works from the museum’s painting collection. This exhibition presents the world of Shimizu’s work, where text, photography, and painting are woven together as one.

The first documented exchanges between The Netherlands and Chiba date back to the late Edo period. Lord Masayoshi Hotta of the Sakura Domain was fervent in introducing rangaku, the study of Western knowledge through the Dutch language. He lay the groundwork for Sakura, along with Nagasaki, to become a leading region for Dutch studies. Sakura Juntendo, which served as a school and clinic for Dutch medicine, played a central role. Its second head, Takanaka Sato, studied under Dutch military physician Johan Pompe van Meerdervoort and trained many future leaders of the Meiji era medical community at Juntendo.

In more recent years, Chiba served as the host town for the Netherlands during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, leading to further efforts of cross-cultural exchange between the two regions.

Related programs:

1. Artist Talk with Sarah van Rij and David van der Leeuw, November 15^th (Saturday), 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (English and Japanese interpretation available)
2. MuMa (Museum Market) pop-up shop selling art and design magazines/books from mainly local businesses, November 22^nd (Saturday) to 24^th (Monday, holiday observed) and January 17^th (Saturday) to 18^th (Sunday), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

• Exhibition period: November 15^th (Sunday), 2025 to January 18^th (Sunday), 2026  9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.)
• Location: Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art, 1-10-1 Chuoko, Chuo-ku, Chiba City
• Cost: ¥1,000 for adults, ¥500 for high school/university students
• Free for middle school students and under, seniors 65 years and over, and those with disabilities and one companion
• Access: 10-minute walk from Chiba Minato Station (JR Keiyo Line or Chiba Urban Monorail)
• Inquiries: Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art TEL:043-242-8311

 

 

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