Things To Do
in Choshi

Choshi is a working port city on the eastern tip of Chiba Prefecture, known for its long history as a fishing hub and soy sauce production center. The coastline around Cape Inubō and Kujūkuri Beach offers dramatic seascapes, lighthouses, and sunsets that attract photographers and nature lovers. The city retains a small-town feel with a famous local railway, lively fish markets, and friendly neighborhood shops.

Visitors come for fresh seafood, factory tours (soy sauce and dried fish), coastal walks and a relaxed pace away from big-city Tokyo.

Day Trips

Spend a day exploring around

day 1
Exploring Historic Center
morning
:

Begin your day with a visit to the Choshi City Museum, where you can discover the rich maritime history of the area. Marvel at the collection of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Choshi's development as a fishing hub. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the historic streets, soaking in the traditional architecture and quaint shops.

afternoon
:

For lunch, indulge in fresh seafood at a local izakaya, savoring the flavors of Choshi's famous catches. Next, head to the nearby Inubo Cape, where you can climb to the top of the Inubo Lighthouse for panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The sight of the waves crashing against the rocky shore will leave you in awe of nature's beauty.

evening
:

As the sun sets, make your way to the Choshi Fish Market, where the vibrant atmosphere and aroma of grilled seafood fill the air. Sample various local delicacies and enjoy the lively interactions with the vendors. End your evening with a stroll along the beach, watching the sky turn shades of pink and orange.

day 2
Beach and Water Sports
morning
:

Start your day at Kujukuri Beach, famous for its long stretch of sand and crystal-clear waters. Rent a surfboard or a paddleboard and embrace the waves, or simply relax on the beach soaking up the sun. The sound of the ocean and the salty breeze will rejuvenate your spirit.

afternoon
:

After a morning of fun in the sun, enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach with local bento boxes filled with fresh sushi and seasonal vegetables. Spend the afternoon exploring the beachside cafés and shops, or take a leisurely walk along the shore collecting seashells. The stunning scenery will inspire you to capture the moment with photos.

evening
:

As dusk approaches, watch surfers ride the last waves of the day while the sun begins to dip below the horizon. Delight in a seaside dinner at a restaurant that specializes in grilled seafood, where you can feast on the day's catch. After dinner, take a moonlit walk along the beach, feeling the sand under your feet and the gentle waves lapping at the shore.

Cost Guide

Prices

ItemPrice
🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant$8-15
🍣Mid-range seafood set / sushi meal$20-40
Coffee / cafe drink$3-6
🚆Local train fare (short trip)$1.50-4
🏨Mid-range hotel / ryokan (per night)$70-130

Strengths and Weaknesses

  • Abundant fresh seafood and traditional food culture
  • Scenic coastal landscapes and lighthouse views
  • Authentic, small-town Japanese atmosphere with friendly locals
  • Easy day-trip access from Tokyo for a quick seaside escape
  • Limited nightlife and entertainment options for younger crowds
  • Fewer English-speaking services and limited card acceptance in small shops
  • Public transport is modest; some attractions are easier reached by car
  • Weather can be windy and occasionally affected by typhoons in late summer
  • "こんにちは (Konnichiwa)" - Hello / Good afternoon
  • "ありがとう (Arigatō)" - Thank you
  • "すみません (Sumimasen)" - Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you (to get attention)
  • "これはいくらですか? (Kore wa ikura desu ka?)" - How much is this?
  • "おいしいです (Oishii desu)" - It's delicious
  • "トイレはどこですか? (Toire wa doko desu ka?)" - Where is the restroom?
  • "英語を話せますか? (Eigo o hanasemasu ka?)" - Do you speak English?

Places to Visit in Choshi

Visit one of these nice places.

Cape Inubō (Inubōsaki) and Inubō Lighthouse

Wind-swept cliffs, the historic lighthouse and roaring surf create dramatic seascapes, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Choshi Fishing Port and Fish Market

A bustling, colorful working port with trawlers, nets, market stalls and seafood displays — great for candid and documentary-style shots.

Choshi Electric Railway

A quaint local railway with retro trains and scenic coastal tracks; ideal for nostalgic, motion and rural-station photography.

Kujūkuri Beach

A nearly 60-km stretch of sandy beach offering minimalist seascapes, surfers, and wide-open skies — good for long-exposure shots and dramatic skies.

Tone River Mouth and Tidelands

Expansive estuary and mudflats attract birds and create interesting foregrounds for sunset and birdlife photography.

Soy Sauce Factory and Warehouses

Industrial-chic textures, wooden barrels and aging warehouses provide atmospheric details and interiors for close-up and architectural photography.

Culinary Guide

Food in Choshi

Choshi's cuisine is dominated by fresh seafood from the Pacific and traditional soy sauce production. Expect fish prepared as sashimi, grilled, dried or simmered, plus local products like dried bonito flakes, niboshi (dried sardines), and high-quality shoyu. Simple family-run izakayas and market stalls serve the freshest fare; there are also factory tours where you can sample and buy directly. Because it's a coastal town, seafood is the star but you'll also find comforting Japanese home-style dishes.

Choshi Famous Food

Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food

Kaisen-don

A bowl piled with the day's fresh sashimi — tuna, bonito, horse mackerel and shellfish are common; best at the morning market or small seafood restaurants near the port.

Must-Try!

Shirasu (whitebait)

Tiny boiled or raw whitebait often served over rice or in salads; seasonal and very fresh on the Bōsō coast, try at local eateries and market stalls.

Grilled/Dried Fish (Himono)

Locally dried and grilled fish like aji (horse mackerel) or saba, available at markets and specialty shops — great for breakfast or a simple dinner.

Soy Sauce (Shoyu) and Products

Yamasa and other local producers offer tasting and tours; pick up artisanal soy sauce, miso, and related condiments as souvenirs.

Food Markets

Explore local food markets

Choshi Fish Market / Toretore Market

Early-morning fish markets where vendors sell fresh catches, sashimi, and prepared seafood; ideal for sampling kaisen-don and buying dried products.

Harbor Stalls

Small stalls near the port sell grilled seafood skewers, dried fish snacks and seasonal treats — casual and very local.

Climate Guide

Weather

Choshi has a humid subtropical climate: hot, humid summers with the possibility of typhoons from late summer to early autumn; mild winters with cool sea breezes and relatively low snowfall. Spring and autumn are comfortable with moderate temperatures and lower humidity. Coastal influence moderates extremes but brings strong winds and higher humidity at times.

How to Behave

Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior

Shoes and Temples

Remove shoes when entering homes, some ryokan, and certain traditional spaces; observe signage. At temples and shrines be respectful, bow at torii gates, and follow local customs.

Quiet Public Behaviour

Keep noise low on public transport and in neighborhoods; speak softly on trains and avoid phone calls on busy carriages.

Respect for Food and Waste Separation

Finish food where appropriate and separate waste into designated recycling bins — follow local rules posted at public bins and facilities.

Polite Communication

Use polite language and gestures; a simple bow and a few Japanese phrases go a long way. If you can’t communicate in Japanese, polite gestures and patience are appreciated.

Safety Guide

Safety

Choshi is generally very safe with low violent crime; normal travel precautions suffice. Be aware of coastal hazards: strong currents, rip tides and slippery rocks at cliffs — heed local warnings and signage. As a coastal region, Choshi is vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis; know evacuation routes and pay attention to emergency alerts. Bring sun protection for long seaside exposure and secure valuables in busy market areas.

Tipping in Choshi

Ensure a smooth experience

Tipping Etiquette

Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be confusing; excellent service is standard and generally included in the price. If you want to show appreciation, a small gift from your home country or a polite thank-you is appropriate; some high-end ryokan may have envelope-based gratuity customs but check first.

Payment Methods

Cash (yen) is widely used, especially at markets, small restaurants and rural shops. Credit cards are accepted at larger restaurants and shops but not everywhere; bring cash for convenience. IC transit cards (Suica/Pasmo) may be accepted on trains and at some stores, but smaller vendors might be cash-only. ATMs at 7-Eleven and post offices accept many foreign cards.

Best Time to Visit

And what to expect in different seasons...

Spring

Mild temperatures and blooming coastal flora make it pleasant for walking and photography; cherry blossom viewing is possible in town parks in late March–April. It’s a good time for fresh seasonal seafood and fewer crowds than summer.

Summer

Warm to hot and humid, with beach season on Kujūkuri; expect crowds on sunny weekends and the occasional typhoon or heavy rain in late summer. Bring sun protection and hydrate; early mornings and evenings are best for outdoor activities.

Autumn

Cooler, comfortable temperatures with clearer skies and good visibility for coastal views; autumn seafood peaks and migratory birds are present at the river mouth. Ideal season for hiking and photography.

Winter

Mild but crisp winters with cool sea breezes; fewer tourists and excellent clarity for long-distance coastal shots. Sea temperatures are colder — swimming is uncommon, but winter seafood can be excellent.

Nightlife Guide

Choshi at Night

Nightlife in Choshi is low-key and local-focused: small izakayas, casual bars, and karaoke rooms near the station provide evening entertainment. There are no large club scenes; nights are best spent sampling seafood over sake, chatting with friendly proprietors, or relaxing by the harbor. During peak tourist times weekends can be livelier, but overall evenings are quiet and family-oriented.

Hiking in Choshi

Immerse in an unforgettable hike.

Cape Inubō Coastal Walk

Short coastal trails around the cape and lighthouse with dramatic sea views and accessible paths for photography and sunset walks.

Kujūkuri Beach Walks

Long flat beach walks suitable for easy hiking, sunrise photography and observing coastal ecosystems; stretches for many kilometers.

Mount Nokogiri (day trip)

A popular nearby hike on the Bōsō Peninsula featuring dramatic cliffs, temple sites and panoramic views of Tokyo Bay; best done as a day trip by car or train plus local transport.

Tone River Estuary Trails

Lowland trails and birdwatching routes near the river mouth — great for easy nature walks and seasonal bird migrations.

Airports

How to reach Choshi by plane.

Narita International Airport (NRT)

Major international airport about 50–70 km northwest of Choshi; reachable by train and bus with onward rail connections or a 60–90 minute taxi/car ride depending on traffic.

Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)

Domestic and international airport with more domestic connections; farther from Choshi than Narita but still accessible by a combination of trains and highway buses, typically 1.5–2.5 hours.

Chōshi Airport (general aviation nearby)

Small local airfields and general aviation facilities exist in the region for private flights, but scheduled commercial service is via Narita or Haneda.

Getting Around

Walkability

Central Choshi is quite walkable — the port, market, station and nearby attractions are within easy walking distance. Coastal areas and some rural spots may require cycling, driving or public transport to reach; sidewalks can be narrow in residential zones. For exploring the wider Bōsō Peninsula or nearby hiking spots, a car or bicycle is helpful.

Demographics

Explore demographics in this area.

Local Fishing Community

Long-established fishing families and port workers form a significant part of the town’s identity and economy.

Aging Population

Like many regional Japanese cities, Choshi has an older demographic with a sizeable elderly population; community life reflects traditional rhythms.

Commuters and Day-trippers

People traveling from Chiba and Tokyo for day trips or seasonal beach visits boost the local economy, especially on weekends and holidays.

Popular Sports

Explore popular sports in region.

Baseball

Baseball is widely followed and played at school and community levels across Chiba Prefecture, including Choshi.

Fishing / Angling

Recreational and sport fishing are popular given Choshi’s status as a fishing port — shore and boat fishing are common pastimes.

Surfing

Kujūkuri Beach attracts surfers when conditions are right, particularly in summer and autumn swells.

Transportation

Traffic

Traffic in Choshi itself is generally light compared with urban centers, but roads can be narrow and parking limited in popular areas and on weekends. Public transportation consists of JR lines and the local Choshi Electric Railway; service is regular but less frequent than city metro systems. Renting a car is convenient for exploring the broader Bōsō Peninsula and more remote beaches or hiking spots.

Accomodations

Find the best place to stay when visiting Choshi.

Dietary Restrictions

Tips for restricted diets.

Vegetarian

Vegetarian options are limited because cuisine centers on seafood. Larger restaurants and cafes may offer vegetable tempura, rice dishes and salads; communicate restrictions in Japanese (see key phrases) and seek out soy-based dishes and simple noodle/udon shops for options.

Vegan

Vegan choices are scarce; plan ahead by visiting supermarkets for fresh fruit, rice, and packaged vegan items, and use phrase cards to explain dietary needs. Tofu and some vegetable dishes can work if you confirm no fish-based broths (dashi).

Gluten-free

Soy sauce contains wheat — cross-contamination is common. Look for tamari (can be gluten-free) or ask staff; rice-based dishes are usually safe but check for soy-sauce-based seasonings.

Health & Medical

Healthcare

Choshi has local clinics and at least one municipal hospital for general and emergency care; pharmacies and clinics cover common needs. For specialized treatment or major emergencies, larger hospitals in Chiba City or Narita are reachable by train/car. Dial 119 for ambulance and fire emergencies. Visitors should carry travel insurance and bring any necessary prescriptions with original packaging and documentation.

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