王小鈞's Reviews Page 1/36

When in Chiba, of course you have to find an authentic bowl of Takeoka-style ramen! This place, Ramen Tenichi, was recommended by locals. You hardly see any foreign tourists inside, which makes it feel even more like you're blending into everyday local life.

I ordered the spinach chashu ramen. The dark brown soy sauce broth looked rich and had a strong aroma, with plenty of umami in every sip. It went down very smoothly with the thin, flat noodles.

What surprised me most was the chashu. The slices of pork were braised until extremely tender and practically melted in my mouth. The mix of lean and fatty meat was incredibly flavorful! Together with the spinach, the whole bowl had even more layers of flavor.

Near Chiba Station, I found this eel restaurant that comes highly recommended by locals. It's about a 10-minute walk from Chiba Station, a tucked-away eel izakaya hidden along the city streets.

For lunch, I ordered an unagi rice bowl for 2,700 JPY. The domestically sourced eel, grilled over charcoal, was very aromatic, with lightly charred skin. Eaten together with the fluffy white rice, the savory flavor of the eel blended with the sauce and really kept me going back for bite after bite. Recommended.

When you're in Chiba, you have to eat seafood! This time I came to Banya Main Shop, and after trying it, I couldn't help but say, “Wow—I haven't had seafood this delicious in such a long time!”

The seasonal fish was freshly caught, the ingredients were fresh, and the portions were generous. Most importantly, the prices were reasonable and the meal was very satisfying. You could taste the seafood's fresh sweetness in every bite. It didn't disappoint at all.

As expected, it was busier around mealtime and there were quite a few people, but fortunately, we only waited about 10 minutes for a table. It was well worth the wait. This meal was super satisfying!

When you arrive at Chiba Port, you can spot the striking Chiba Port Tower from a distance. It is an iconic landmark of Chiba Port and has also been recognized as one of Japan's Night View Heritage sites and a Lover's Sanctuary. The weather wasn't very good on the day of my visit, and the overcast sky made the view less clear than on a sunny day, but the towering structure was still impressive. I heard that when it lights up at night, the view of Chiba Port makes it even more romantic and beautiful.

Unfortunately, I had other attractions on my itinerary and didn't have enough time to go up the tower and enjoy the view, so I'll have to save it for my next trip. I did stop by during the day to take some photos, so at least I got to check in at Chiba Port Tower!

What I liked most about visiting Awamata Falls was taking a leisurely walk along Yoro Valley. Unlike typical waterfalls that plunge straight down from a great height, the water glides along the rock face, creating a unique “sliding waterfall.” The overlapping streams of water are very beautiful.

The path is surrounded by lush greenery, with the gentle sound of the stream and a light breeze giving the entire valley a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. On sunny days, sunlight filters into the forest, making the scenery feel even fresher and brighter.

When I arrived at Nagareyama Otakanomori, my first impression was—it’s really super convenient! The shopping center is directly connected to the station, so you don’t have to walk far, making it very easy to come shopping by train.

The entire shopping center is huge, with a main building and additional buildings. There are all kinds of stores and restaurants, offering everything from household goods and clothing to food. There are so many choices that you face the pleasant dilemma of wondering, “Which store should I visit?” It’s also a very family-friendly shopping center. The spacious layout makes it easy to shop with a stroller, and it’s a good place to bring young children.

There’s also a courtyard-style park in the shopping center. When you get tired from shopping, you can take a walk outside and relax a little. It’s a very pleasant little spot. If I had to mention one minor drawback, I’d say there are slightly too few places to sit. After shopping for a while, it can be hard to find a seat when you want to take a break.

Overall, though, it’s easy to get to, has a wide selection of stores, as well as food and family-friendly spaces, so it’s still a great place to spend half a day browsing.

This is one of the most popular zoos in Chiba and a common destination for school field trips in Japan! You can get there directly by monorail, so it's very convenient. The zoo isn't particularly large, and about 1.5–2 hours should be just right for a leisurely stroll around. I had specifically planned to come see the animals, but it turned out to be a day when the zoo was closed. All I could do was take a photo at the entrance as a keepsake to show that “I came but didn't get in.” I'll find time to come back and see the cute animals next time!

While visiting Makuhari New City, I unexpectedly came across the incredibly spacious Chiba Makuhari Seaside Park! The park’s theme is “a city park surrounded by greenery and the sea.” It consists of seven areas, A through G, and is huge. The expansive lawns make it feel especially open and relaxing as soon as you enter.

In addition to its famous large lawn and Japan’s largest floral clock, the park also has a Japanese garden and tea room with a traditional atmosphere, offering completely different scenery. There are also sports fields, children’s play areas, and other facilities nearby. It’s a great place for families with children to get outside, as well as for walking, relaxing, or spending a leisurely afternoon sitting on the grass.

There were noticeably more people when I visited on a holiday, and the entire park felt lively. It’s really rare to find such a large green space among the high-rise buildings of Makuhari New City!

Akebonoyama Agricultural Park has expansive natural scenery, and the flowers change with the seasons, creating beautiful and distinctive views throughout the year.

There’s none of the noise and bustle of the city, just greenery and fields of flowers as far as the eye can see. Walking through the park with a gentle breeze feels especially relaxing. It’s not only a place to enjoy flowers, but also a great spot for a leisurely walk, taking photos, and slowly appreciating the natural beauty of the Japanese countryside.

There are different flowers to enjoy in every season. If you love plants and flowers and prefer quiet attractions, you really shouldn’t miss it.

On this visit to Sawara, I unexpectedly fell in love with this quiet little place. Strolling slowly along the Ono River, I saw old streetscapes from the Edo to Meiji periods preserved on both sides. Wooden machiya townhouses, old shops, and historic buildings stand one after another, giving the area so much character.

Sawara once prospered through transportation on the Tone River and was so thriving that it was even said to be “better than Edo.” Walking through the streets today, you can still feel traces of its former prosperity.

And compared with popular attractions in Tokyo, it’s really much quieter here! There were hardly any tourists when I visited. Walking slowly along the river and taking photos felt especially relaxing.

I really like this kind of trip, with no pressure to follow an itinerary and no need to squeeze through crowds—just walking slowly, looking around, and experiencing an old town as it really is.

Transportation is actually fairly convenient too, making it a good choice for a short trip in Chiba. It doesn’t have flashy attractions, but it has a charm that makes you want to stay a little longer. Sawara really suits people who enjoy quiet travel.