The Boso Peninsula is a peninsula located in eastern Chiba Prefecture, surrounded by Tokyo Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The area is rich in nature and has a resort-like atmosphere.
The Boso Peninsula is home to many attractive sightseeing spots, such as gourmet foods filled with the bounty of the Pacific Ocean, spectacular views that can only be seen here, and leisure activities. Here we introduce 30 carefully selected spots on the Boso Peninsula, ranging from must-see classics to hidden gems.
10 classic spots
NOKOGIRI YAMA(Mountain of Sawteeth)
Nokogiri yama is a 330-meter-high mountain located in the southern part of the Boso Peninsula. It is said that the mountain got its name from its steep, saw-toothed ridge, and has long been used as a landmark for ships entering Tokyo Bay. From the Muromachi period (1333-1573) until 1982, the mountain was used as a quarry to quarry stone called Boshu-ishi. The remains of the quarry still remain on the mountainside today.
The Boso Peninsula has a mild climate, making it possible to climb mountains throughout the year. Ropeways and other facilities are available so that anyone can enjoy mountain climbing.
Jigoku Nozoki (View of Hell), one of the most famous sights on Nokogiri yama, is a 100-meter-high cliff near the top of the mountain. Fuji on a clear day. The view down from the observatory leads to the precincts of Nippon-ji Temple, where you can visit the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), a cultural asset.
Mother Farm
Mother Farm is one of the most popular tourist farms in Japan for both children and adults. Located on Mt. Kanozan, where visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the mountains of the Boso Peninsula, Tokyo Bay, and on fine days, Mt.
While the location is easily accessible from central Tokyo, visitors can experience the procession of about 150 sheep, milking of dairy cows, horseback riding, and feeding of animals. In addition to the farm and hands-on workshops where visitors can experience harvesting, the ranch also has an amusement park and glamping facilities, making it a spot where visitors can enjoy themselves all day long.
Kamogawa Sea World
Kamogawa Sea World is a popular aquarium located in Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture. The popular performance shows of killer whales and dolphins held in the outdoor pools Ocean Stadium and Surf Stadium offer dynamic performances. At the Marine Theater, visitors can see the sounds and ultrasonic waves made by beluga whales in real time.
The exhibit is also divided into various areas, such as Tropical Island, where you can see bear clams, which are very popular among children, and Polar Adventure, where cute penguins live in a realistic reproduction of the aquatic world.
RECAMP Tateyama
RECAMP Tateyama is a campground located at the tip of Minami-Boso. The climate is mild throughout the year, and the many flowers and palm trees make you feel like you are in a tropical country. The entire area is grass, so you can spend time barefoot, and the location is just a 5-minute walk to the ocean where you can surf, making it a great place for outdoor enthusiasts.
The attached cafe serves 100% beef hamburgers. It can be used without staying overnight, so why not stop by for a break from driving or after playing in the ocean?
Yoro keikoku(Yoro Valley)
Yoro keikoku is a nature-rich valley located in Otaki Town, Isumi County, and is known as the best hot spring resort on the Boso Peninsula. Located in the middle of the Boso Peninsula, it can be visited in about 90 minutes by car from central Tokyo. In addition to a wide variety of inns, day-trip hot springs, and footbaths, visitors can enjoy hiking, barbecues, mountain stream fishing, and other activities to fully enjoy nature.
Another attraction is the variety of scenery that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons. In spring, rape blossoms bloom like a yellow carpet; in summer, fireflies dance like starlight; in autumn, colorful and beautiful autumn leaves change color; and in winter, the Umegase valley is covered with icicles.
Nojimazaki
Nojimazaki is a cape located at the southernmost tip of the Boso Peninsula. This cape, where the Nojimazaki Lighthouse stands, is known as a viewing spot for stargazing and sunsets in Chiba Prefecture. The “sunrise and sunset viewing bench,” located on a slightly higher rock on the cape, is a pure white bench that stands out against the blue Pacific Ocean and sky, and has become a popular tourist spot where visitors can actually sit and enjoy the view or take commemorative photos.
Undersea fluoroscopic boats also operate in the vicinity of Nojimazaki. The boatman will guide you to the recommended spots, depending on the wind and tide of the day, and you can look through a large glass window in the center of the boat to see the ocean floor as if you were diving.
Nojimazaki Lighthouse
Nojimasaki Lighthouse is the second oldest Western-style lighthouse in Japan, standing on a cape called Nojimazaki at the southernmost tip of the Boso Peninsula. It is also called the “Swan Lighthouse” because of its beautiful octagonal shape and 24-meter-high white concrete structure. The view from the lighthouse is spectacular, with magnificent scenery stretching out in all directions.
Inside is the Kirarin hall, an exhibition room for lighthouse materials. The history, functions and roles of the lighthouse are explained, and the navigation beacon work is introduced. In the center of the exhibition room, a beautiful French Fresnel lens reminiscent of a glass craftwork is displayed.
Katsuura Undersea Observation Tower
The Ubara area of Katsuura City, which is full of the natural beauty of the rias coast, is the junction of cold and warm currents, and is rich in marine life. The Katsuura Marine Park’s central facility is the Underwater Observation Tower, located 60 meters offshore. The 24.4-meter-high, 8-meter-deep underwater observatory, the largest of its kind in the East, allows visitors to see a variety of fish and the seafloor in each season. Since this is a nature observation tower, you never know what you will see, but sometimes large sharks and other animals are said to make an appearance.
After peering into the mysterious undersea world, visitors can enjoy the spectacular view from the Ocean Observation Deck, where they can see the Pacific Ocean ocean plain shining in the sunlight and the horizon round the horizon.
Katsuura morning market
Katsuura morning market, a specialty of Katsuura, is one of the three major morning markets in Japan, and is well known by many people as a historic attraction that has continued for more than 400 years. The morning market is always crowded with tourists and locals, and is the face of Katsuura’s warm-hearted people. About 70 stores line the streets, opening from around 6:00 am to 11:00 am.
In addition to locally grown vegetables and fresh seafood available, you can also enjoy Katsuura’s soul food, “Katsuura Tantan noodle” and other famous gourmet specialties. Why not take a leisurely stroll while enjoying local delicacies that can only be found here?
Okinoshima
Okinoshima Island, located at the southern end of Tateyama Bay, is a small uninhabited island with a circumference of about 1 km. It is connected to land by a sandy beach and can be reached on foot. The surrounding sea has very clean water quality and is inhabited by coral. In summer, visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, bare diving, and playing on the shore.
The island has a well-maintained tourist trail that takes about one hour to walk around the island. As you stroll around the island, you will come across a secluded shrine called Okinoshima Uga-Daimyo Shrine. We also recommend that you experience a deserted island for an adventurous experience.
2 leisure spots
ANIMAL WONDER REZOURT
ANIMAL WONDER REZOURT is a new resort-type zoo located in Ichihara City, almost in the center of Chiba Prefecture. It consists of two areas: the “ICHIHARA Elephant Kingdom” area and the “Sayuri World” area.The name Animal Wonder Rezourt combines the 2 pronunciations of the Japanese word “Zou” (Elephant) and the English word “Resort”.
ICHIHARA Elephant Kingdom is home to 10 elephants, the largest number of elephants in Japan, as well as capybaras, hippopotamuses, and other animals. Visitors can enjoy watching elephant shows and feeding snacks to the herbivorous animals. The theme of Sayuri World is the coexistence of humans and animals, and animals of all sizes live freely. You can enjoy the ultimate interaction with these healing animals.
The park also has a gift store and a restaurant where visitors can enjoy meals surrounded by trees.
Chiba Prefectural Boso no Mura
Chiba Prefectural Boso no Mura is a prefectural hands-on museum. Visitors can experience the traditional lifestyle and techniques of the Boso region, and archaeological artifacts excavated from all over the prefecture are on display. Visitors can deepen their understanding of the culture and history of the Boso region through all five senses.
The museum is divided into the “Fudoki-no-Oka History and Nature Area” where visitors can learn about history and nature, and the “Furusato-no-Waza Arts and Crafts Area” (charged). Visitors can enjoy a feeling as if they have stepped back in time through the recreation of Boso merchant houses from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period, and a general information center that recreates the exterior of a Japanese-style inn.
4 power spots
Katori Jingu Shrine
Katori Jingu Shrine in Katori City is dedicated to the deity Futsunushi no Okami, who is mentioned in the myth of Izumo’s handing over of the land to the sovereign. It is believed to be the god of family safety, industrial guidance, maritime protection, marriage, childbirth, and the fulfillment of one’s wishes.
In addition to the main shrine, which was built by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1700 and is a National Important Cultural Property, there is also the Tower gate, which was built together with the main shrine and is said to have had Heihachiro Togo write the characters on the plaque above the gate, and the Okumiya, which is dedicated to the deity Futsunushi no Okami.
Namikiri Fudoson Temple
Located on Mt. Ishizuka in Sanmu City, Namikiri Fudoson Temple has an eye-catching bright red main hall built on a rock in the middle of the mountain. The massive structure dates from the early Edo period and commands a panoramic view of the beautiful townscape of Naruto, Sanmu City.
It is said that the temple has long been worshipped as a guardian god of the sea, since the lights of the main hall guided a drifting fishing boat to safety during the Genroku period (1688-1704).
Susaki Shrine
Suzaki Shrine is dedicated to Amenohirinomi-no-mikoto as the main deity and Amenetodamanomikoto and Ametomi-no-mikoto as the deities of the two main shrines. The shrine is worshipped as a guardian deity of safe delivery, safe voyage, bountiful catch, good harvest, good luck against bad luck, and traffic safety.
Located on Mount Mitarai at an elevation of 110 meters, the temple grounds offer a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and mountains. Fuji and the setting sun can also be seen from the Hamatorii.
Seichoji Temple
Seichoji Temple in Kamogawa City is one of the “Four Sacred Sites of Nichiren Shu” and is known as the head temple of Nichiren Shu, and its main hall, called “Maniden,” completed in 1682, is dedicated to a principal deity known for its blessings for wisdom and academic ability. The “Thousand Year Cedar Tree (Great Cedar of Seichoji)” on the temple grounds is a large cedar tree designated as a national natural monument, and is said to be a popular power spot for longevity.
Also, the first place on the mainland where the first sunrise of the new year can be viewed is Mt. Kiyosumi, where Seichoji Temple is located, and is known as the “best spot in Japan for the first sunrise of the new year.
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Kameiwa Cave(Turtle Rock Cave)
The Kameiwa Cave in Kimitsu City has become a hot topic on SNS as a mysterious photo spot like the world of Ghibli. Located in the nature-rich Shimizu Stream Square, the cave is a gaping hole in the ground, and the light shining through it illuminates the surface of the river like a spotlight. When the conditions are right, the reflected light looks like a heart, which has been introduced by many media.
As the name suggests, there are rocks that resemble turtles, and when the water is calm, the shape of a turtle can be clearly seen. It is said that it is possible to go down to the riverside, so why not look for it?
Oyama Senmaida (rice field)
Oyama Senmaida, located in Kamogawa City, is a terraced rice field with 375 large and small rice fields arranged like a staircase on a steep slope covering an area of approximately 3.2 hectares. It is a precious cultural landscape nurtured by nature and human activities. They are the only rainfed rice paddies in Japan that are cultivated using only rainwater, and they are home to many valuable plants and animals, which helps to preserve the ecosystem and environment.
From spring to summer, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of rice paddies filled with water reflecting the morning sun and the evening sun. In the fall, when the harvest season arrives, rows of golden ears of rice are lined up in rows, creating a beautiful landscape unique to terraced rice paddies.
Boso Flower Line
The Boso Flower Line is the nickname for the road in the southern part of the Boso Peninsula that includes Chiba Prefectural Road No. 257, National Road No. 410, and part of Chiba Prefectural Road No. 297. It is known as a dry road where colorful flowers adorn the roadside from early spring to summer, and seasonal flowers bloom along the 46-km road that runs along the coast.
It has been selected as one of the 100 best roads in Japan for driving and touring while viewing colorful flowers such as rape blossoms from January to spring and marigolds in summer. The area is also dotted with sightseeing spots that can be visited in combination with the surrounding area.
Umihotaru Parking Area
Umihotaru Parking Area is a parking area built on the 650-meter-long Kisarazu man-made island. Surrounded by 360 degrees of the sea, Umihotaru Parking Area is a rare example in the world of a parking area floating on the sea, and consists of five floors: the first to third floors are parking lots, and the fourth and fifth floors are business facilities with restaurants and stores.
On the 5th floor observation deck, you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of Tokyo Bay, eat at the restaurants and food court, shop for souvenirs and marine products, and enjoy footbaths, etc. On the 5th floor observation deck, there are objects for commemorative photos, so you can take photos of Mt Fuji, Sky Tree and other mountains. Fuji and the Sky Tree, and enjoy taking photogenic photos while viewing them.
Niemonjima Island
Niemonjima Island is an island of about 30,000 square meters, located about 200 meters off the coast of Minami-Boso. It is designated as a scenic spot by Chiba Prefecture and is also selected as one of the New 100 Views of Japan. Visitors can cross the island by a red boat with a nostalgic hand-pulled two-choryo oar.
The island is home to haiku and poetry monuments by famous people such as Matsuo Basho. Surrounded by the azure sea, visitors can enjoy playing on the shore in the spring and swimming in the clear blue sea in the summer. Visitors can also find colorful seasonal flowers and rare plants and trees on the island.
GAKE
GAKE is a cafe in Misakimachi, Isumi City, with a great location overlooking the Pacific Ocean. GAKE is popular as “Small cafe on a cliff with only the sea and sky in sight,” where you can enjoy the beautiful view of the sky and the sea while sipping coffee, tea, or cake.
There is also a terrace in the garden on the premises of the restaurant, where you can enjoy your café time while experiencing the sea breeze and magnificent nature. With the ocean just below, you are sure to enjoy a luxurious time while listening to the sound of the waves.
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Nokogiriyama Museum of Art
The Nokogiriyama Museum of Art opened in March 2010 under the name of the Kanaya Museum of Art. It has become a familiar symbol of art in Kanaya, Futtsu City, which is working to revitalize the town. On its 10th anniversary, the museum changed its name to Nokogiriyama Museum of Art in honor of Mt.
The museum exhibits works of art collected by art enthusiasts over the years, as well as works that have been handed down by the artist’s family. Why not spend a relaxing time in the beautiful Boshu stone art museum and experience contemporary art works?
Landscape of Sawara
Sawara, located in Katori City, once flourished as a relay station for the Tone River water transportation, and is called Chiba’s Little Edo where old streets full of Edo atmosphere still remain today. Selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, visitors can enjoy an atmosphere as if they have stepped back in time to the Edo period.
Visitors can take a boat ride along the Ono River, which flows through the town, and enjoy the breeze as they leisurely take in the scenery, which is quite different from that on land. The restaurant Burekimera also sells a rare soy sauce-flavored gelato.
ICHIHARA LAKESIDE MUSEUM
The Ichihara Lakeside Museum is located in the southern part of Ichihara City, built on the shores of Lake Takataki. The museum holds special exhibitions focusing on contemporary art, exhibits of works by copperplate artist Yukio Fukazawa, and hands-on workshops. An observation tower has been installed on the site, offering a view of Takataki Lake from a height of 28 m.
In addition to enjoying the artworks on display, the museum also has a museum store that sells original goods and a restaurant where visitors can enjoy a meal centering on pizza made with ingredients from Boso.
Gourmet food in the Boso Peninsula! Recommended 5
Banya
Banya is a restaurant directly operated by a fishing cooperative in Kyonan-cho, Awa-gun. You can enjoy fresh seafood caught off the coast of Boso.
At Banya Honkan, where you can enjoy lively fisherman’s cuisine at a reasonable price, you can savor fresh sashimi platters, kinmedai (sea bream) simmered in a white rice, ebi-tenju (shrimp tempura) stacked with large and plump prawns, as well as Sanyaki, a hometown dish famous in Boso, and other dishes unique to the Boso Peninsula.
At Banya Shinkan, where you can enjoy authentic seafood cuisine, you can relax and enjoy fresh seafood course meals, seasonal dishes, and banquet dishes while admiring the view of the harbor.
Roadside Station Wadaura WA-O!
Roadside Station Wadaura WA-O! is a roadside station on Route 128 in Minamiboso City. You can enjoy shopping at the direct sales shop and souvenir shop where you can purchase fresh local agricultural products and seafood, or enjoy a meal at the restaurant “Wadahama” where you can enjoy fresh whale dishes and local fish dishes using Wadaura’s specialty, whale.
At Wadahama, you can enjoy the number one popular “Wadahama Gozen,” which allows you to fully enjoy the tastes of Wadaura, including seasonal local fish sashimi, specialty turban shells, and whale, as well as the “Boshu Specialties Sangayaki Set Meal,” a popular local dish representing Minami-Boso, at a reasonable price.
Sasuke Restaurant
At Sasuke Shokudo in Kanaya, Futtsu City, you can taste “Golden Deep-fried Horse Mackerel (Aji Fry)” which is talked about for its impressive texture. This famous restaurant has been introduced in the media and is very popular with a long line of customers.
Seafood dishes such as Sashimi and Namero (Chopped horse mackerel with miso) made from golden horse mackerel caught in the waters near the Kanaya Fishing Port, and Kajime ramen noodles made from Kajime(type of seaweed), which is high in nutrients and has a characteristic stickiness, are also popular.
Among them, we recommend the Sasuke set meal, which is the most popular menu item at the restaurant, where you can enjoy both Deep-fried Horse Mackerel (Aji Fry) and Sashimi.
PIZZERIA BOSSO
Located in the Ichihara Lakeside Museum, PIZZERIA BOSSO is an Italian restaurant that lavishly uses ingredients from Boso. The glass-walled interior offers a panoramic view of Lake Takataki, creating an excellent atmosphere.
The store’s popular pizza is made from seasonal local ingredients and baked in a hot wood-fired oven. The Pizza Bosso offers four different flavors representing the four seasons of Boso in a single slice.
Other dishes include oven-baked vegetables and inventive dolce, which can be enjoyed as a course.
Kimura Peanut
At the Kimura Peanut in Tateyama City, visitors can purchase a wide variety of processed foods and other products made from peanuts, a specialty of Chiba Prefecture, as well as taste the excellent Peanut soft ice creamthat has been talked about in the media.
This is popular for its unforgettable special taste, is said to be highly rated on various gourmet websites for its unforgettable rich peanut aroma and flavor. If you want to enjoy the unique taste of Chiba, this is the place to go.
Comments from the Holiday editorial team
The Boso Peninsula offers a resort atmosphere with its mild climate and rich nature.
We recommend the beautiful and spectacular scenery that only an environment surrounded by the sea can offer, fresh seafood gourmet food, and leisure activities that can only be experienced here, all of which are ideal outings for creating lasting memories!
