Choshi Electric Railway, Inubosaki, and Seafood

This course makes the most of Choshi, Chibas easternmost point, on a local-train journey. Ride the Choshi Electric Railway, which survived a financial crisis on the strength of its wet rice crackers, out to Inubosaki, where the Kanto regions first sunrise breaks. With a fresh seafood lunch you cannot skip, it is a day that pleases railway fans and food lovers alike.

Course Route

9:00 Start at JR Choshi Station At Choshi Station, where limited express trains arrive from the Tokyo direction, transfer to the Choshi Electric Railway from the same platform. The retro cars set the mood for a local-line trip. If you plan to hop off along the way, a one-day pass (around 700 yen for adults) is handy.

9:30 Take the Choshi line to Inubo Station (about a 20-minute ride) A small journey of about six kilometers, around 20 minutes. Stations along the way carry quirky nicknames, and fields, cabbage patches, and glimpses of the sea pass by the windows.

10:00 Climb Inubosaki Lighthouse (about 1 hour) About a seven-minute walk from Inubo Station stands the white Inubosaki Lighthouse. Climb the ninety-nine spiral steps for a sweeping panorama of the Pacific. A viewing donation of around 300 yen applies for junior high age and up, with younger children free. Viewing hours generally run from about 8:30 in the morning until around 16:00 to 17:00 depending on the season, with last entry about 30 minutes before closing. The openness of the easternmost point in Kanto is its charm.

11:30 Stroll the coastal path Walk the promenade around the lighthouse and take in a coastline of white sand and rugged reefs.

12:30 Choshi seafood lunch (about 1 hour) Choshi fishing port boasts one of the largest catches in the country. At diners near the station, enjoy a seafood rice bowl or golden-eye snapper, fully savoring the seasons fish. A budget of around 1,500 yen or more per person is a good guide.

14:00 Wet crackers and souvenirs Buy the famous wet rice crackers at the Inubo Station shop. Some facilities even offer hand-grilling experiences for a lasting memory.

Highlights

Inubosaki Lighthouse is a historic light built in the Meiji era, and you can climb inside. The Choshi Electric Railway is known nationwide for the tale of surviving on wet cracker sales, and the simple scenery along its line is a draw. The seafood of Choshi port is prized for its freshness and variety.

Access and Tips

The Choshi line runs infrequently, so be sure to check departure times both ways. A one-day pass lets you hop off freely and saves money. The lighthouse is open from morning to evening, and care is needed on windy days.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: Enjoyable year-round, but the Pacific views are finest on clear days with crisp air. Known as a first-sunrise spot, it is especially popular at New Year.
• Avoiding crowds: The Choshi line runs one- or two-car trains with limited service. Taking an early morning train helps you avoid crowds and gives you time to hop off along the way.
• Time needed: Touring the lighthouse takes about an hour; with a promenade walk and a seafood lunch, the route fills a half to full day.
• Nearby real spots: Around Inubosaki you will find the Chikyu-no-Maruku-Mieru-Oka observation hall and the fishing-town streets of Tokawa, dotted with simple sights.
• Budget guide: A one-day pass plus the lighthouse donation, a seafood lunch, and wet crackers comes to roughly 3,000 to 4,000 yen per adult.

A Quick Tip

Inubosaki is famous as a New Year sunrise spot, but the grand Pacific views are enjoyable in daytime too. It is a windy area, so mind your hat when walking along the coast. The lighthouse spiral stairs are narrow and steep, so comfortable shoes make the visit easier.