Dec 7, 2025

What Chiba places, cuisine, events, experiences enrich your Japan life?

The Chiba Prefecture government's international affairs division invites foreign resident volunteers to share the Chiba spots we love. I can't attend because of work obligations, but I can share your faves by email. What in Chiba lit you up - food, shops, nature, festivals, events, and experiences? Conversely, what didn't work out or confounded you? Photo tax - irises at Noda City's Sogo Park.

0 8

TonetoEdo

Living between the Tone and Edo Rivers in Higashi Katsushika area of Chiba Prefecture.

8 Answers

Best Answer

genkidesu

on Dec 7

Honestly, I haven't explored Chiba as much as I would have liked. It's one of those prefectures that was right next door when I lived in Tokyo, and I think to a degree that means it gets pushed down the list a bit. Most of my visits have been for the obvious tourist favorites of Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, which probably isn't what they want to hear. I'm sure they want to disperse visitors out a bit ;) I would like to delve more into the cultural side of the prefecture on future visits. I saw a review of yours about Boso Village and thought it looked really interesting.

0

BigfamJapan

on Dec 8

I have in-laws in a little coastal town, so we often go to Chiba for the beaches and ocean. As we don't have any seaside in Saitama, Chiba has enriched our lives by providing us with scenery we can't get in our home prefecture.

0
BigfamJapan

on Dec 9

... I also am grateful to Chiba for Disney, even though its too crowded to enjoy in recent years and I'll probably never go again!

0
genkidesu

on Dec 9

@BigfamJapan I feel you on that, my kids love going, but it isn't enjoyable when it's packed to the brim and you're queueing for most of the day!

0
genkidesu

on Dec 10

Also, slightly off topic but I think it's so cool that your prefectural government is so engaged with the foreign resident community and actively seeks out their thoughts. Love to see it!

1
TonetoEdo

on Dec 10

@genkidesu I'm glad I went to Disney Sea in the 2010s before international tourists numbers started rising. I'm glad I did but once was enough.

0
TonetoEdo

on Dec 10

@BigfamJapan I find that, on excursions down the Boso Peninsula, ocean views instantly revive me! I love mountain scenery, too, but I'm a coastal kid after all.

0
TonetoEdo

on Dec 11

@genkidesu On the winter break, I intend to visit some more Chiba destinations and blog about them. It's a bit far away from your region, so I can imagine you'd want to hit the highlights, specifically the Disney Resort.

0

Awaiting More Answers

6 Answers

How do you keep track of your product reviews?

I have noticed over time that the search function on City-cost doesn't pick up certain things, particularly the 'fields' in product reviews. So, for example, if I search for a product by its brand or product name it won't come up in the search results, unless it's also written in the body or heading of the post. That is why recently I put the brand or product name in the title of the product review too, so I can find it more easily when I search. Otherwise, I won't know if I have already reviewed a product or not. Its hard to remember every review I've ever written! Have you any other hints on how to find product reviews or how to keep track of the ones you've written? I have thought about a spreadsheet, but its far too much effort!

BigfamJapan

on Sep 9

2 Answers

2026 songs that turn you on or off?

What Japanese pop, alternative, or novelty songs did you turn up or turn off so far this year? I'm a fan of 打首獄門同好会 - Uchikubi Gokumon Dokokai. The name, loosely translated, is Severed Heads at the Prison Gate. They came out with a novelty song earlier this year, in anticipation of their US tour, "I Wish I Could Speak English", hard rock with AI lyrics. A chill song I like is ブルーアワー "Blue Hour". The song comes from the project adieu headlining Kamishiraishi Moka. How about you? What Japanese songs or musical projects appeal to you in 2026?

TonetoEdo

on Sep 5

13 Answers

"How To" Posts for the pick-up

City-cost are great for taking our recommendations on board. Now that the first thing you see when you click is on to the blog section is "popular" posts, maybe next we can get the "How To" section refreshed! Its been stuck with the same old "How To" posts for more than two years now. Have you any "How To" posts that you would like to see highlighted in that section? Or have you written any "How To" posts recently? I am dreadful for remembering so while I think of it, my most recent post is "How to Turn Your Home Toilet Into an Emergency Toilet" https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/GbeN9-living_saitama

BigfamJapan

on Sep 1

7 Answers

Favorite Japanese artists, past or present

With Yayoi Kusama's passing being covered in the media today, I wanted to know about your favorite Japanese artists, past or present. Obviously Kusama is one of mine, but I always like hearing about other artists that I haven't been introduced to before.

genkidesu

on Aug 27

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Shizuoka?

Today, is also Shizuoka Citizen's Day, so - the same as Fukushima - what first comes to mind / do you most associate with Shizuoka Prefecture?

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

10 Answers

Car Essentials for a Road Trip?

I feel like this may have been asked before, but I can't find it through a search. Or maybe I thought of asking it and never did! Either way, tell us what things you like to have in your car when you are going on a road trip?

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

4 Answers

What do you MOST associate with Fukushima Prefecture?

Given that today is Fukushima Prefecture Citizen's Day; what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when you hear Fukushima? And / or what do you most associate with the prefecture?

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

3 Answers

Throwback Thursday - Sustainability blogs

@Genkidesu posted about the desire for simpler packaging this week. This reminded me of our blog theme about sustainability back in 2022. A little sleuthing turned up the main link: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/search/tag/SustainableLife Have you kept up your good habits? In the last few years, what have you observed about how you use resources or reduced waste? Me? The photo is a takeout bento box I will reuse for lunch!

TonetoEdo

on Aug 20

5 Answers

Summer Festival Changes - Yay or Nay?

Earlier I wrote about how my neighborhood's "summer" festival has been moved to autumn. I also wrote a separate post about a summer festival in Kasukabe that has been moved indoors. I know there is a bittersweetness about these changes, but some would argue that something needs to change in the face of rising temperatures. So, I am curious, what would you vote for: 1) Leaving Summer Festivals exactly as they are - same date, same set up etc. 2) Shifting the time of day the festival is on, say for example, from afternoon until after dark 3) Moving the festival from summer to another season or at least to earlier in summer, such as June 4) Moving summer festivals indoors - not really possible for the larger festivals especially those with large floats etc. but maybe they could shift some elements indoors

BigfamJapan

on Aug 3

10 Answers

Favorite Noodles

Chilled noodles because it's summer, hot noodles are also accepted. Is it somen or chukasoba or zarusoba? Reimyun or pasta salad? Chanpon or udon or ramen? Pad Thai or Pho?! This year I made somen for the first time! I'm a soba fan. I used to love ramen and tsukemen but for some reason I'm not as into the rich and oily noodles anymore.

helloalissa

on Jul 30

11 Answers

What are the pros and cons of Japanese Citizenship for you?

Most of the people I know here are foreign residents, have foreign family members, or have foreign coworkers, friends or employees. A handful of those have become Japanese citizens. We've been chatting about things like ethnic identity and Japanese citizenship. I don't plan to become a citizen, but it made me wonder, what are the pros and cons for changing your citizenship? Is it something you've given any thought to? (What might make you consider it?)

helloalissa

on Jul 30

5 Answers

Which movie will you see this summer?

I am not a movie-goer at all, but every year I bring the kids to see a film (and they often go with their friends too) during the summer holidays. There seems to be a good choice this year, including Toy Story 5, the Chiikawa movie, the real live action adaption of Moana and the usual annual Crayon Shinchan movie among others. Which movie are you planning to see this summer? Or have you already been to see one (or more)? If so, which one?

BigfamJapan

on Jul 30

What Chiba places, cuisine, events, experiences enrich your Japan life?

8 Answers

Best Answer

Awaiting More Answers

Share Your Experience