Narashino Travel Guide

Explore the best places to visit, exciting activities to do, must-try food, and valuable tips for traveling to Narashino with our complete travel guide.


Are you seeking a new adventure in Japan? Narashino is a city in Chiba prefecture that offers a unique travel experience. With its rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and exciting activities, Narashino is a must-visit destination for travelers who love to explore new places. In this comprehensive travel guide, we will show you everything you need to know before traveling to Narashino, including the best places to visit, things to do, and where to stay.

Introduction to Narashino

Narashino is a city located in the northern part of Chiba prefecture, Japan. It is known for its historical buildings, temples, shrines, and scenic beauty. The city has a population of over 170,000 people and offers a unique blend of modern and traditional Japanese culture. Narashino is easily accessible from Tokyo and provides visitors with a serene escape from the busy city.

List of Places to Visit in Narashino

Narashino offers visitors a plethora of attractions to visit. Here are some of the top places to see:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Chiba Museum of Science and Industry: A fascinating museum that exhibits Japanese technology and science, including hands-on exhibits and interactive activities.
  • Funabashi Andersen Park: A park that features a fairy tale theme, a rose garden, and a petting zoo.
  • Inage House: A small villa built in the Taisho era and located in the midst of a picturesque garden.
  • Yatsu Higata Nature Observation Center: A nature center where visitors can observe wildlife and enjoy scenic views of the Yatsu tidal flats.
  • Narashino Castle Ruins Park: A park that features the remains of a castle built in the Edo era.

Natural Attractions of Narashino: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Yatsu Rose Garden: A garden that features a wide array of roses with various colors and fragrances. It is a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts.
  • Yatsu Tidal Flats: A vast area of tidal mudflats that is a popular spot for clam digging and birdwatching.
  • Inage Seaside Park: A park that features a beach, playgrounds, and picnic areas, as well as walking and cycling paths.
  • Narashino Central Park: A park that provides visitors with a peaceful ambiance, walking and jogging paths, and playgrounds.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Narashino

Narashino has several hiking and biking trails that offer visitors the opportunity to explore the city’s natural beauty. Some popular routes are:

  • Yatsu Higata Nature Observation Center
  • Semba Lake Green Park
  • Narashino Central Park
  • Edogawa Cycling Road

Best Things to Do in Narashino: Activities and Tours

Narashino provides visitors with a variety of activities to do and tours to take. Some of the top activities and tours are:

  • Narashino City Hall Observation Deck: A place from where visitors can see the entire city from above.
  • Narashino Riverside Cycling Tour: A tour that takes visitors on a scenic route along the Edogawa River.
  • Narashino Marine Center: A center that offers fishing and boating activities in Tokyo Bay.
  • Traditional Calligraphy Experience: Visitors can experience Japanese calligraphy at a museum located in Funabashi City.

Week-Long Itinerary for Narashino

If you’re planning for a week-long stay in Narashino, you can follow this sample itinerary:

Day Activity
Day 1 Visit the Chiba Museum of Science and Industry and Funabashi Andersen Park
Day 2 Explore the Inage House and Yatsu Higata Nature Observation Center
Day 3 Visit the Yatsu Rose Garden and Yatsu Tidal Flats
Day 4 Enjoy outdoor activities in Inage Seaside Park and Narashino Central Park
Day 5 Hike or bike along Semba Lake Green Park and Edogawa Cycling Road
Day 6 Try fishing and boating activities at Narashino Marine Center
Day 7 Experience traditional Japanese calligraphy at a museum in Funabashi City

Food and Drink Scene of Narashino

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the local culture is to try the local food and drink. Narashino offers visitors some must-try dishes and local beverages.

Must-Try Dishes

  • Namerou: A famous Japanese fish dish originally from Choshi City, that consists of a raw fish paste mixed with onion, shiso, and miso sauce.
  • Tsukemen: A type of ramen where the soup and noodles are served separately, and the noodles are dipped into the soup.
  • Soba: A type of Japanese buckwheat noodle, served both hot and cold.
  • Etc…

Local Beverages

  • Sake: A Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice, that is a staple of Japanese food culture.
  • Shochu: A distilled Japanese alcoholic beverage that is often made from sweet potato, barley, or rice.
  • Local Craft Beer: Narashino has some excellent breweries that produce local craft beer.

Where to Stay in Narashino: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

There are several options for accommodation in Narashino, ranging from budget hostels to luxurious hotels. Here are some popular options:

  • Hotel Green Tower Makuhari: A hotel that provides spacious and luxurious guest rooms, as well as a variety of facilities, including an indoor pool, karaoke rooms, and restaurants.
  • Olive Guest House: A guesthouse that features private rooms and dormitory-style accommodations. It is located near Narashino Station and offers easy access to nearby attractions.
  • Inage Kaikan Hotel: A hotel that provides comfortable and affordable accommodations, along with restaurants and other facilities.

What to Buy in Narashino: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

Narashino offers visitors some high-quality souvenirs and local products that are unique to the city. Some of the popular items to bring home are:

  • Furniture and Crafts: Narashino has several furniture and craft stores that sell locally produced items made from wood and other materials.
  • Yatsu Tidal Flat Products: A variety of products such as Yatsu Tidal Flat Clams, salt, and snacks are available to buy.
  • Sake: Narashino has some excellent sake breweries that produce locally brewed sake.

Local Culture and Customs of Narashino

Narashino is home to various cultural and traditional festivals throughout the year. Some festivals include:

  • Narashino Akitsu Festival: A festival that takes place in September featuring music, dance, and food.
  • Mobara Park Autumn Festival: A festival held in November that features a fireworks display, food, and traditional performances.

Best Time to Visit Narashino

The best time to visit Narashino is in the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is mild, and the city is covered in a blanket of colorful leaves. December to February is also a good time to visit Narashino when the city is covered in snow and offers a spectacular view.

Do’s and Don’ts of Narashino

When visiting Narashino, it is essential to follow some basic rules and regulations to respect the culture and customs of the city.

Do:

  • Remove your shoes when entering traditional Japanese restaurants and guesthouses.
  • Carry cash with you because many shops and restaurants do not accept credit cards.
  • Respect local customs and traditions.

Don’t:

  • Eat while walking on the street.
  • Talk loudly in public places.
  • Forget to bow before entering a temple or shrine.

Safety and Health

Narashino is generally a safe city to travel to. However, visitors are advised not to walk alone at night in secluded places. As for health concerns, Narashino is not at high risk for any endemic diseases. Visitors should carry their necessary medication and consult a medical professional before traveling.

Safety in Narashino

  • Always carry identification with you at all times.
  • Keep your valuables safe and do not leave them unattended.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night

Health in Narashino

  • Always drink bottled water and avoid street food.
  • Carry necessary medication with you and consult with your physician before traveling.

Getting to Narashino: Transportation Options and Logistics

Narashino can be easily accessed from the Tokyo area by train, bus or car.

Airports Near Narashino

  • Narita International Airport: Located 40 km away from Narashino. It takes approximately 45 minutes by train or bus.
  • Haneda Airport: Located 24 km away from Narashino. It takes about 30 minutes by train or taxi.

Bus Stations Near Narashino

  • JR Bus Kanto: A bus company that provides regular services to Narashino from Narita and Haneda airports, as well as various locations in Tokyo.
  • Chiba Kotsu: A local bus company that provides bus services within Chiba prefecture.

Other Options

  • Train: Visitors can take a train to Narashino from Tokyo and nearby cities. JR Narashino Station, located in the city center, is a particularly convenient station to access Narashino.
  • Car: Visitors who have an international driver’s license can rent a car from one of the car rental agencies located at both Narita and Haneda airports.

How to Get Around in Narashino

Public transportation is the most convenient option to get around Narashino. Visitors can use buses and trains to get to most of the city’s attractions, as well as neighboring areas. Taxis are also available, but they can be quite expensive.

Where to Go Next from Narashino: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Narashino is conveniently located near several popular tourist destinations. Some of these destinations include:

  • Tokyo: The capital city of Japan, only a short train ride away from Narashino.
  • Chiba: Another city located in Chiba prefecture, with many attractions like Chiba Castle and Chiba Port Tower.
  • Narita: A town located near Narita International Airport, with its own noteworthy attractions such as the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple.

Conclusion

Narashino is a unique city with a rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and exciting attractions to explore. Its convenient location and variety of accommodation options make it an ideal destination for all types of travelers. Visit Narashino and discover for yourself all that this gem of a city has to offer.

Narashino at night. Narashino at night. Yatsu-higata tidal flat Yatsu-higata tidal flat