Our first tour as CHIBA+KUN ambassadors was to Choshi. Choshi is a sea-side city only 30 minutes away from Tonosho. Choshi is known for it's Yamasa soy sauce factory, moist rice crackers, its lighthouse and beautiful rocky coasts. I've visited Choshi several times (Choshi has the closest mall to Tonosho), but was excited to experience Choshi again with the other ambassadors!
Choshi: the eastern-most tip of Japan. I can see America from here!
We started our tour at Choshi City Hall. We all gathered out front and a group of men, each wearing a happi (short robe) and hachimaki (headband), was there to greet us. We were then asked to put on happis that had Choshi's mascot on the back!
Then, to our delight, we got a private taiko drum and flute show. The men played several traditional Japanese songs, including one Osakan style song.
So cool!
The most impressive part was when the men started dancing around while holding and playing the drums! Check out the video below.
After the show, we got to try out the instruments for ourselves!
Playing the drums.
The flute was more difficult than the drums. It was funny watching everyone attempting to play it.
All together now! We didn't sound too great :( Maybe we need some more practice. We'll call ourselves "The Ambassadors"! I like it! Is that band name already taken?
We felt so welcomed by the city of Choshi and were ready to see the rest of the city. Our next stop was at a local Japanese restaurant for a sashimi and tempura lunch. I had tempura (shrimp, egg plant, pepper and fish) with rice, miso soup and japanese pickles. What is the best thing to eat after a meal? Dessert. Everyone was talking about the soy sauce ice cream (shouyu ice cream) available at a souvenir shop close by. So we all headed to the shop and very cautiously tried the famous treat. What does soy sauce ice cream taste like? Well, we all had different opinions and we were all right. It tasted like a combination of several things. Here's what everyone said: coffee, caramel, cheese cake, chocolate and butterscotch. But, to be honest, it didn't taste like soy sauce. We actually saw them making another batch of soy sauce ice cream and yes, they do add soy sauce to the ice cream mixture... about 3 cups worth!
Trying soy sauce ice cream. A very confusing, but delicious treat.
Fresh off our sugar high, we walked to the train station to ride the local Choshi electric train or Choshi Dentetsu. This is a very old train which runs along the tip of Choshi. Its a great way to see the city and stops at several sightseeing spots.
Choshi Dentetsu route.
Waiting for the train. Our train tour guide, Yuko, is standing to the right.
About to get on the train. Retro.
Some of the fellow ambassadors enjoying the ride.
Our tour guide, Yuko, described the various sites and scenes along the train route. We got to see the beautiful rural areas of Choshi and some of the old stations that line the route (most were build in the 1920's!) Once we arrived at Inubo Station we got off to head to the famous lighthouse Choshi is known for, Inubo lighthouse (Inubosaki).
The lighthouse is over 100 years old and you can climb up the 99 steps inside to get an amazing view at the top. Definitely something you have to do when you're in Choshi.
Beautiful. See that white post box? Its the only white post box in Japan! All the others are red.
View from the top. I found this reflective material at the top of the lighthouse. Such a great view from the top!
We had plenty of time to take in the beautiful coastal views and enjoy the breeze off the ocean. There are also plenty of places to explore around the lighthouse. You can have a picnic on the green grassy area next to the lighthouse, walk down to the beach or stop in the shops next the lighthouse for something to eat. Look at what I found at one of the shops...
Chiba-kun section! I couldn't decide if I needed Chiba-kun socks, pen, folder or key chain. So much Chiba-kun stuff, so little money!
Our next stop was the Ocean View Observatory. This observatory is located at the top of Atagoyama hill and provides a wonderful 360 degree view.
On the way up to the observatory there was a large variety of beautiful hydrangeas (ajisai).
The ambassadors at the top. The 360 degree view allows you to see the curve of the earth.
View of the Inubo lighthouse from the observatory. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji.
CHIBA+KUN ambassadors unite!
Our day was drawing to a close, and before we left the observatory, we thanked our 3 Choshi volunteer guides. They gave us interesting facts and information about the lighthouse, the observatory and Choshi.
Arigato gozaimashita! I got the chance to speak a little Spanish with the man in the middle. He lived in Mexico over 30 years ago.
Want to find out more about Choshi? They have an English webpage!
I learned and experienced so much about Choshi that I had never known before. I'm excited about the next tour with the CHIBA+KUN ambassadors and can't wait to explore another city in Chiba. Until then... sayonara!
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