Inubosaki Lighthouse: Greeting Honshu's Earliest New Year Sunrise at Kanto's Easternmost Point

Rising white toward the Pacific, with waves breaking at its base and a solemn sun climbing from the horizon, Inubosaki Lighthouse in Choshi City, Chiba is a symbol standing at the easternmost point of the Kanto Plain. Excluding mountaintops and remote islands, it is known as one of the earliest capes in Honshu to see the first sunrise of the year, drawing crowds who celebrate the new year. Grand sea views and fresh seafood landed at Choshi Port make this one of Boso's most popular spots for both natural drama and culinary joy.

Highlights

Inubosaki Lighthouse is a handsome brick lighthouse built in 1874 to a design by British engineer Richard Henry Brunton. The tower stands about 31 meters tall. It became a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2010 and was designated a National Important Cultural Property in December 2020. Inside are 99 spiral steps, said to echo the Kujukuri Beach; from the observation deck at the top a grand Pacific panorama unfolds, letting you sense the curve of the horizon. Walking paths and unusual rock formations line the cape, and the scene of rough waves and the white lighthouse is worth the trip.

Enjoying the Seasons

Excluding mountaintops and islands, Inubosaki is famous as the earliest place in Honshu to see the first sunrise of the year, drawing crowds nationwide on New Year's Day. Watching the sun climb and stain the horizon red is a moving way to begin the year. In the clear air of autumn and winter the sunrise is especially beautiful, while summer offers swimming and tide-pool play. In spring, coastal flowers such as sea radish bloom along the shore, giving the cape a changing face through the seasons.

Access and Basic Information

• Getting there: About a 10-minute walk from Inubo Station on the Choshi Electric Railway. From the Tokyo area, take the JR limited express Shiosai to Choshi Station in about two hours, then transfer to the Choshi Electric Railway.
• Lighthouse admission: 300 yen for adults; free for elementary students and younger (free on Lighthouse Day, November 1).
• Parking: Free.
• Time needed: About one hour to stroll the lighthouse and cape.

Fees and opening conditions may change, so check official information before visiting.

Practical Travel Notes

For the first sunrise, early on New Year's Day is the greatest highlight, but the area is very crowded around sunrise and trains may run on a special schedule. To enjoy the ordinary morning sun and sea views in quiet, aim for weekdays or early mornings in autumn and winter. A stroll of one to two hours is usually enough. Nearby are the Earth-Round Observation Hall, the retro Choshi Electric Railway, and seafood shops at Choshi Port, all easy to combine. Meals of seafood bowls and local fish run from a few hundred to low thousands of yen. Sea winds are very strong, so prepare well for cold and wind.

A Quick Tip

Sea winds are strong, and the rocks can be dangerous on days with high waves, so do not force your way close. On New Year's Day the surrounding roads and parking are extremely crowded. Using public transport and starting early will help.

📚 Sources

For Inubosaki Lighthouse (first lit in 1874, a national Important Cultural Property), its viewing fee and opening status, and the surrounding footpaths, information published by the lighthouse administrator, Choshi City, and related tourism bodies is a helpful reference. Check each operator's official timetables for access from Inubo Station on the Choshi Electric Railway and the JR Shiosai limited express from the Tokyo direction. Timetables may be special for the first sunrise. Fares, hours, and access may change, so please confirm with official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time needed: About 1 to 2 hours for the lighthouse and a stroll around the cape.
• What to bring and prepare: Cash or coins are handy for the lighthouse viewing fee. Wear comfortable shoes to climb the 99-step spiral stairs. The cape's sea wind is very strong, so prepare for cold and wind.
• Suggested route: About a 10-minute walk from Inubo Station to the lighthouse. Take in the Pacific panorama from the observation deck and tour the footpaths and unusual rocks around the cape. Pairing with the Earth's Roundness Observatory and the seafood shops at Choshi Port makes a full day.
• Best time of day: For a quiet visit, weekdays or early mornings in autumn and winter are recommended.
• Seasonal note: On New Year's Day for the first sunrise, the surrounding roads and parking are very crowded.