A short trip from Tokyo – Chiba
5 top things to do in Chiba – Tokyo Disney, DisneySea, historic towns, surf beaches and beluga whales
Want to combine your Disney trip with some culture and action?
Chiba is adjacent to Tokyo, so it’s the perfect short trip from Tokyo. It’s easy and quick access by train and car so it makes a great breather from the busy city. Tokyo Disney and DisneySea are a short taxi or train from the city centre, but there’s also some beautiful beaches and historic towns to explore within a two hour drive.
1. Tokyo Disney and DisneySea
The happiest place on earth? We adore Disneyland so yes, we definitely think so. Just like all Disney parks, Tokyo Disney offers some unique attractions and experiences. Just please don’t try to do both Disneyland and DisneySea in one day. They both deserve a day each… at least!
The Beauty and the Beast ride is exclusive to Tokyo Disneyland and it’s a truly magical experience open to anyone who can sit unassisted. Riding in the trackless, dancing tea cup throughout Beast’s castle is a highlight.
Disney app is essential
Download the official Disney Resort app before arriving at the park. It will make your day so much more enjoyable and organised by showing wait times and map.
Scan your Disney ticket into your app as soon as you enter the gates. Then assign standby passes for the most popular rides. These give you a specific time to return and will be checked before entering the ride.
The app also has daily show schedules, restaurant information and will even show you the location and flavours of each popcorn stand and operating hours.
We recommend buying the souvenir popcorn bucket (these change and there are usually a few options), then you can refill cheaper each time. It also has a closable lid for taking rides (so useful) and a strap to hang it around your neck for easy snacking.
Incredible popcorn flavours
Popcorn comes in many unique and creative flavours such as chocolate orange, black pepper, matcha white chocolate, curry, soy sauce and butter, caramel and garlic shrimp. Yum!
DisneySea
Unique to Japan only, DisneySea is located next to Tokyo Disneyland and has the most perfect scenic worlds, your jaw will drop everywhere you look in absolute awe.
From a gondola ride in little Venice, to the elaborate Aladdin’s bazaar and Agrabah’s alleyways to the neon underwater world of Ariel, this place amazes, especially at night.
Just like Tokyo Disneyland, the official app is essential for booking standby passes and assessing ride wait times and locations of the popcorn stands!
Journey to the Centre of the Earth has often been praised as the best ride of all Disney parks, so it’s a must try, but not for little ones, who are better off spending lots of time under the sea in Ariel’s world.
Please don’t miss the Soaring: Fantastic Flight ride. It’s a ride that delights all the senses and gives you that feel-good vibe. It’s also great for rainy days and the even the queue is intriguing, and mostly indoors. Riders must be over 102 cm.
In true Japanese fashion, the park changes theme and decorations depending on the season so it’s always fresh and magical. Halloween and Christmas invites new costumes, parades and festive shows.
Location – Close to Tokyo, but not in Tokyo
Tokyo Disneyland is not actually in Tokyo, it’s in Urayasu, Chiba prefecture. Although it’s proximity is close to Tokyo it’s easy enough to do as a day trip.
Hours: 8am-10pm most days
Admission: The cost of park tickets vary depending on the day and type of ticket. For example, you can purchase an evening ticket only, or a fixed time ticket. Both are cheaper than an all day pass.
Adults: 4,500 yen (weeknight pass) – 9,400 (one day pass on the most expensive day)
Children (4-11 years old): 4,500 yen (weeknight pass) – 5,600 yen (one day pass on most expensive day)
There are also youth tickets for 12-17 years old with prices in between child and adult.
Address: Tokyo Disneyland, 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0031
Access:
- By public transport: From Tokyo Station, it’s around 20 minutes on the train. However from somewhere like Shibuya, it’s more like 50 minutes.
- By taxi: The taxi is a good option from Tokyo as the drive is sometimes quicker than the train in this instance. It’s around 20 – 30 minutes by car.
- From Disney Hotels: Some Disney hotels are walking distance, like Mira Costa which is literally inside Disney Sea, and other official Disney hotels provide a two minute shuttle to the monorail, then it’s a quick ride to the entrance of either park.
Website: Visit Tokyo Disney’s official website for information on tickets, events and more.
2. Surfing at Onjuku Beach, Chiba
Onjuku is a sleepy surfing village with an important history for diplomatic relations. In 1609 when Don Rodrigo, Governor of the Philippines was returning to Mexico, his ship wrecked in Onjuku. His whole crew of 317 were saved from the seas and cared for by the locals. There are memorials here to mark this history and a cove named after Rodrigo.
The beach itself is clean and sandy and many locals surf here every day. Tokyoites flock here on holidays to escape the city stresses. You can rent surfboards at shops in front of the beach.
There are a few burger shops and small restaurants nearby, just everything you need for a sleepy, beachy getaway. Don’t expect resorts with palm trees and pools with swim-up bars, it’s very local, but that’s what we love about it.
Address: Onjuku Beach, Hama, Onjuku, Isumi District, Chiba 299-5107
Access:
- By car: From Tokyo it’s about a 2 hour drive. The drive crosses Tokyo Bay with the Aqua Line which is a bridge and tunnel combination all the way across the bay, it should be an attraction in itself!
- By public transport: Onjuku has a train station and it will take around three hours by train from Tokyo taking the Sotobo Line then the Narita Express.
3. Sawara Historic Edo Town
This is another one of those ‘step back in time’ moments. This historic canal town was once an important base for water transportation in the Edo Period (1600-1867). The buildings are well-preserved and the area oozes calm.
You can join a boat tour by wooden boat down the little canal, or just wander along peacefully gazing upon the swans swimming by and possibly stop for some lunch in one of the many local restaurants.
Hours: 10am – 4pm (boat tour)
Address: 1903-1, District A, Sawara, Katori , Katori City, Chiba
Access:
- By car: A little less than 2 hours drive from Tokyo. Parking is a little difficult upon arrival, so be prepared to walk a little way to get close.
- By public transport: Around 2 hours by train from Tokyo. Take the Narita Line and exit at Sawara Station, then walk for 15 minutes.
4. Kamogawa Sea World
Kamogawa Sea World is the largest aquarium in Chiba and houses 11,000 sea creatures from 800 species including beluga whales, orcas, walruses and all the littlies too. The Aquarium is located right on the coast with views over the ocean. It also has a hotel attached.
You can expect to spend at least four hours here as it’s so large. There are dolphin, seal and whale performances throughout the day, but if you wish to skip those, there is plenty to see otherwise.
The jellyfish section was especially spectacular, and I urge you to find the sunfish which was delightful to see in all its weirdness.
For kids and budding artists, you can design a fish, manta ray or eel design and have it projected up onto the graphic sea wall. Kids love seeing their designs swim around.
Hours: 9:00am – 4pm
Address: 1464-18 Higashicho, Kamogawa, Chiba 296-0041
Admission:
- Adults: 3,000 yen for one day pass
- Children: 1,800 yen for one day pass
Access:
- By car: It will take around two hours to drive from Tokyo
- By public transportation: Take the Wakashio Line Limited Express train bound for Awa-Kamogawa station. Then take the aquarium’s shuttle bus the rest of the way.
5. Museum of Aeronautical Sciences
This rather large and interesting museum is located just outside of Narita airport. In addition to the indoor exhibits, there are also many aircraft outside to view. The museum is suited for kids with a great hands-on interactive section, a Star Wars simulator ride and also a flight simulator (with Japanese instruction) which must be booked in advance.
There is an observation deck where plane enthusiasts can watch planes take off and land at Narita and also a mock control tower showing the public how the systems work.
The museum shop is small but quirky and even sells real retired plane storage drawers on wheels for around 50,000 yen. Don’t forget to get a family photo in the photo booth in the foyer complete with museum branding, of course you can download the digital version and turn it into a video. Perfect for social media!
Hours: 10am – 5pm daily (except Mondays and holidays)
Admission: 700 yen
Address: Museum of Aeronautical Sciences, 111-3 Iwayama, Shibayama, Sambu District, Chiba 289-1608
Access:
- By car: The museum is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Tokyo driving.
- By public transport: Take a train to Narita, then get a connecting bus to the museum, approximately 15 minutes from Narita.
What is Chiba?
Chiba is a prefecture of Japan inside the Kanto region on the island of Honshu, directly adjacent to Tokyo. A prefecture can be loosely described as being like a state in Australia or the US.
Chiba has a capital city also called Chiba. Japan is divided into 47 prefectures and each is unique for its cities, terrain, culture and food. Usually, prefectures in Japanese end with ‘ken’, for example, Chiba-ken. This also helps differentiate the prefecture from the city.
What is Chiba famous for?
Chiba is famous for being the home to Tokyo Disney, DisneySea and Narita airport.
Although mostly a residential prefecture, it also has Chiba Port which is one of the busiest cargo ports in the country.
Chiba also has the longest suspended monorail in the world.
For local food, Chiba is one of the biggest producers of peanuts in the country. Cultivation of peanuts began here in the 1870s, now contributing to 80% of the country’s growth. The rest come from neighbouring Ibaraki prefecture.
As Chiba is surrounded by the sea, it has plentiful seafood options.
Also, look out for Chiba’s cute mascot, the red dog named Chiba-kun.
Where is Chiba?
Chiba is located next to Tokyo. The capital city Chiba (of same name) is just 40 kilometres east of Tokyo centre on Tokyo Bay.
Chiba prefecture is 5,158 square kilometres and is mostly surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. The population of Chiba is the sixth largest in the country at 979,769 people.
How to get to Chiba
Chiba prefecture is close (next door) to Tokyo, and also borders Ibaraki prefecture, hence access is quick and relatively simple. There are train lines to the capital of Chiba, Chiba (same name) and from there, lines run around the peninsula. For example from Shibuya in Tokyo to Chiba city, it’s 55 minutes driving or 1 hour 20 minutes taking trains.
As many people fly into Narita airport, one option could be to rent a car directly from the airport and drive around Chiba instead of heading straight for Tokyo.
Driving in Japan
Remember to check your country’s requirements for driving in Japan. For example, Australians must have an international driver’s licence and their Australian licence to rent a car in Japan. The good news for Aussies though, driving is on the left.
Round-up of why Chiba is a great short trip from Tokyo
Chiba is a super fun destination in Japan. Even if Disney doesn’t delight you, there are still sleepy beaches, historic and cultural adventures and so much coast to enjoy. It suits all traveller types.
Eat some locally grown peanuts or indulge in all types of seafood while in Chiba. Visit museums and aquariums with the kids for hands-on educational activities.
Next time you fly in or out of Narita, take some time to explore Chiba-ken before skipping it all for Tokyo.
Play, have fun and be curious!
