Comprehensive Tourism and Access Guide for Chiba, the “Gateway to Japan”!

First, let’s look at how to access Tokyo from Narita Airport. The Narita Express is a great way to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo.
The Narita Express (N’EX) is a convenient, rapid train linking Narita International Airport with the major urban areas of the Tokyo metropolitan region, including central Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Yokohama.
With large, comfortable seats (reserved seating only), free Wi-Fi, and oversized baggage storage space, N’EX lets you travel with peace of mind and comfort.
Different ticket purchase options are available to suit your travel needs.
If you are staying in Japan for 14 days or less, the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket is a good option.
How to Purchase Tickets:
‧ Buy through an online travel agency
‧ Buy using the JR-EAST Train Reservation service
‧ Buy after landing at Narita Airport, either at a staffed ticket counter (such as the JR EAST Travel Service Center or station ticket office) or at a ticket machine.

Having come all the way to Narita Airport, why limit yourself to just visiting Tokyo? Take the opportunity to visit some of Chiba’s popular tourist attractions!
In this guide, we introduce a selection of Chiba’s most highly recommended tourist spots, and provide access information. You can combine a visit to Tokyo with a trip to Chiba to experience its beautiful scenery, rich history and more. Don’t miss it!

Nokogiriyama has been trending on social media recently.
The mountain’s “Jigokunozoki” area, with its dramatic cliffs, has become very popular with visitors as a place with spectacular views. It is located within the grounds of the Nihon-ji Temple, which also draws many worshippers.
Nokogiriyama is relatively low, rising only to a height of 329 m above sea level, and is well known as a mountain that even casual hikers can climb easily. Visitors also have the option of using the Nokogiriyama Ropeway, which reaches the summit after a journey through the air of around four minutes, during which you can admire the spectacular scenery from the large gondolas. The summit offers extensive views of Tokyo Bay, and in good weather Mt. Fuji can be seen. For visitors seeking a more in-depth experience of Nokogiriyama, the guided tours available through WeGuide NOKOGIRIYAMA are highly recommended (English-speaking guides are available). By listening to the guide’s explanation while climbing the mountain, visitors can experience the magic of Nokogiriyama, with its fusion of religious and industrial history (quarrying), on an even deeper level.

■ How to access Nokogiriyama
The Nokogiriyama Ropeway station is approximately 8-minute walk from Hama-Kanaya Station on the JR Uchibō Line.
The trailhead is approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the station.

Edo (as Tokyo was known up until the late 19th century) was supported by four cities in the Hokuso region in what is today Chiba Prefecture: the cities of Sakura, Narita, Sawara and Choshi. Today, these cities that underpinned Edo’s growth and developed alongside it still have a historic atmosphere redolent of the Edo period. Each city has its own unique character – Sakura the castle town, Narita the temple town, Sawara the merchant city, and Choshi the port city – and visitors can get a real feel for their individual stories.
These four cities were officially designated as Japan Heritage in 2016 under the title “Four Cities that Supported the Mega-City of Edo: An Edo Travelogue through Hokuso.”
(Japan Heritage is a national designation that recognizes stories conveying Japan’s culture and traditions through the historical appeal and distinctive characteristics of regional areas. By supporting the integrated use of essential tangible and intangible cultural assets by local communities, municipalities, and related stakeholders, the national government supports initiatives aimed at regional revitalization and tourism promotion.)
Special “A Castle Town - Sakura” tours, starting from JR Sakura Station, are now available. Narita Airport makes a great starting point for exploring the four cities in the Hokuso region; don’t miss the opportunity to experience the samurai culture of this former castle town!

■ How to get to JR Sakura Station
Approximately 32 minutes by rapid train on the JR Sōbu Line from JR Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station.
Approximately 45 minutes on the Shiosai Limited Express from JR Tōkyō Station.

● Sakura – A historic castle town
Sakura Castle, construction of which began in the early Edo period, played a key role in defending the city of Edo, and the Sakura-do highway was important in the town’s development. Visitors to Sakura can experience traditional samurai culture by visiting the castle ruins, samurai houses and the mansion of a daimyo (feudal lord) family.
● Samurai Houses (Buke-Yashiki)
Three samurai residences dating from the latter part of the Edo Period are open to the public, providing an opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of samurai families during this period.
● Hiyodorizaka Slope (Samurai Road)
Located next to the street of historic samurai houses, this path bordered by bamboo groves remains virtually unchanged since the Edo Period, with an atmosphere very similar to Kyoto’s Arashiyama district.
● Makata-jinja Shrine
This was the chief shrine of the Sakura domain, and generations of clan heads and their counselors worshipped here.
● Tsukamoto Museum
This unique museum has one of the finest collections of traditional samurai swords in Japan.
● Ogawa-en (tea merchant)
Ogawa-en is a long-established business selling Sakura’s famous tea.
● Kimura-ya
This long-established maker of traditional Japanese confectionery is famous for its “zourokumochi,” which are wafer cakes in the shape of a tortoise shell filled with red bean mochi.
● Former residence of feudal load Hotta
This was the mansion of Hotta Masatomo, the last feudal lord of the Sakura domain. As an outstanding example of a traditional Japanese mansion, it has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property, and the garden is a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

Chiba Prefecture, which is right next to Tokyo, has many fascinating places to visit and great places to eat besides those introduced here. If you are using Narita Airport to visit Tokyo, be sure to also enjoy what Chiba Prefecture has to offer in terms of tourism and culinary delights.

※The information provided is current as of December 2025 and is subject to change.