Chiba

Chiba is the capital of Chiba Prefecture and a major port city on Tokyo Bay, about 40 kilometres southeast of central Tokyo. Part of the Greater Tokyo area, it combines a working waterfront, modern business districts and suburban green spaces with easy access to both Narita and Haneda airports.

Historic and cultural landmarks include the reconstructed Chiba Castle and the Chiba City Museum of Art, known for its collection of Japanese woodblock prints. The Chiba Port Tower observation deck offers panoramic views across the bay toward Tokyo Skytree and, on clear days, Mount Fuji, while Inage Seaside Park and Chiba Zoological Park provide large outdoor attractions.

Central Chiba around JR Chiba Station is the commercial heart, with shopping, restaurants and the lively Sakae-machi izakaya area. The Makuhari New City district is home to Makuhari Messe, one of Japan's largest convention centres, along with Aeon Mall Makuhari New City and ZOZO Marine Stadium.

Chiba is an important centre for conferences, trade shows and events, including the Tokyo Game Show, and its food culture draws on the sea and the surrounding Boso Peninsula. Local specialities include fresh seafood, namerō minced fish, and peanuts, a well-known Chiba product.

For leisure visitors, Chiba offers coastal parks, sports venues and day trips to the Boso Peninsula, while business travellers benefit from the Makuhari convention cluster and direct access to Narita International Airport.