North Chiba/Minamiibaraki Railway Tour

Traveling to Kitaboso and Minami-Ibaraki. Located in the crowded urban area of ​​Tokyo, the Boso Peninsula, located east of the city, stands out from the rest of the metropolitan area, boasting numerous old streets and shrines. This area, generally considered part of Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures, is also known as the Kitaboso region. Several major cities in the Kitaboso region are located within it: Sawara, Katori/Kashima, and Itako/Choshi. Another reason I chose to travel here is that for over a year, my phone wallpaper has been a picture of a torii gate in water, which is the wash basin at Kashima Jingu Shrine. The most striking characteristics of Sawara and Katori are that they were river towns during the Edo Period, and that they were located near shrines due to their significant religious beliefs. Similarly, Kashima and Itako are similar: both areas are a combination of a river town and a shrine town, fostering a mutually supportive relationship. Naturally, they belong to Chiba and Ibaraki, respectively, separated by the Tone River, a major Kanto river. Of these four locations, Kashima Jingu is undoubtedly the most famous: after all, it's the oldest shrine in the Kanto region. Only Ise Jingu, Katori Jingu, and Kashima Jingu have been called "jingu" since ancient Japan, demonstrating their rich history. The towering cedar forests and ancient trees on the grounds create a sense of tranquility and seclusion. Second place is Sawara, located in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Known for its well-preserved Edo-period architecture and water transport history, it's known as "Little Edo." We were also fortunate to encounter a float festival this time, making the town particularly lively and festive on the holiday. As for Katori Jingu, because Katori holds a higher status than Sawara in the prefecture system, Sawara is called the Katori City Sawara District. Katori Jingu, along with Kashima Jingu, is a traditional shrine in the Kanto region. The Omotesando area near Katori Jingu offers numerous cafes and Japanese teahouses for relaxation. In Katori and Sawara, those not driving can use a bus tour pass. These can be purchased at the station's tourist counter or at the hotel counter, and two trips will pay for themselves. The least popular destination is probably Itako, located between the two cities. Itako in Ibaraki Prefecture is known as "Water Village Itako" due to the eastward relocation of the Tone River waterway during the Edo period, which boosted cargo transportation. Mid-June is the peak bloom season for shoyu (water urns), and the "Water Village Itako Shoyu Festival" is held at this time. The shoyu garden here boasts 500 varieties and a million shoyu plants, which bloom together in early summer, ushering in the arrival of summer. Since I happened to visit in mid-June this time, I was able to witness the first bloom of the shoyu. Finally, I highly recommend the Route Inn in front of Sawara Station and the Kashima Toyoimaru Jingu branch. They offer excellent accommodations and fresh seafood. Route Inn is currently my top choice for value-for-money business hotels in Japan. #Kashima #Sawara #Katori #Itako #Boso Peninsula