Chiba’s Itinerary to hopping 3 hidden spots with stunning views -Mountain, Sea and Lake making you cool down

Facing Tokyo Bay, Kisarazu City in Chiba Prefecture is great access from Tokyo. However, the surrounding area is filled with lots of gems with superb views created by nature and people. For details, check the past article “3 Instagrammable spots in Chiba allowing you to feel refreshed“. This time, we selected 3 hidden Insta-worthy spots where you can easily visit from Kisarazu with the theme of ‘To make us cool down in summer.’ We’re going to introduce each one recommendation from genres of mountain, sea and lake.

Looking at a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay, Mt. Fuji and Minato Mirai 21. “Meiji 100 Year Anniversary Observation Tower” towering over Chiba’s natural treasure

“Meiji 100 Year Anniversary Observation Tower (明治百年記念展望塔)” is located at the tip of Cape Futtsu, designated as a natural treasure of Chiba. Using Japanese white pine (五葉松, Goyomatsu) as a motif, this observation tower was built in memory of the 100th year anniversary of the Meiji area. When you go up the stairs, a breathtaking view including Tokyo Bay, Shizuoka prefecture and Kanagawa prefecture on the opposite bank is laid before your eyes. If it’s sunny, you can see Miura Peninsula and Minato Mirai 21 (Kanagawa), and even Mt. Fuji. We recommend that you should head here during the sunset when the opposite bank gradually starts to be colored rosy flush. By the way, Cape Futtsu is a beach near the Pacific Ocean and has high-quality water, so many clams grow well. For this reason, it’s also a spot suitable for clam digging in summer.

Opening Hours	24 Hours
Address	2280 Futtsu, Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture
Access	Close to Futssu Park Bus Stop where it takes about 40 minutes by bus from Kisarazu Station West Exit
URL	https://www.cue-net.or.jp/kouen/futtsu/index.html

The spiritual spot “Tourouzaka Taishi no Kiritoshi Tunnel” with a 10m-high rock wall dug by hands and shaved with stone cutting technique

Made by Japanese traditional stone cutting technique, “Tourouzaka Taishi no Kiritoshi Tunnel (燈籠坂大師の切通しトンネル)” is an approach leading to Tourodaishi Hall in Tozenji Temple. It seems that the tunnel was originally dug by hands between 1870s and 1920s. But slopes were steep, so it was dug down using the stone cutting technique cultivated in Mt. Nokogiri around 1930s and became the current figure with a height of 10 meters. The rock walls whose surface was cut into flats are covered with moss, heart-warming sunlight shines through trees, and a mysterious atmosphere fills this tunnel. Walking in the tunnel while feeling as if rock walls on both sides are closing in on you, you can touch a comfortable breeze. Don’t forget to visit Tourodaishi Hall whose stairs await you in front of the exit of the tunnel, too!

Opening Hours	24 Hours
Address	256 Hagiu, Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture
Access	A 20 minute-walk from Takeoka Station which is 6 stations away from Kisarazu Station on the Uchibo line
URL	https://www.city.futtsu.lg.jp/0000000606.html

The view from the surface of the lake is just a jungle. Chiba’s largest dam lake “Lake Kameyama” allowing you to take a walk on the water

Created by Kameyama Dam constructed in 1980, “Lake Kameyama (亀山湖)” is the largest artificial lake in Chiba. Lots of narrow rivers such as Kuwanokisawa and Oshikirisawa flows into the lake, so it has complex terrains. Although this lake is famous as a spot perfect for black bass fishing, you should try to experience kayaking here. You can freely enjoy a walk on the water by kayaking, even to places where you can not reach on foot. Why not have a relaxing time by hearing the chirping of waterfowl, observing the lush greenery or something like that while feeling cool on a calm lake, unlike choppy sea? When the water is full, the lake becomes close to the trees and you can feel as if you’re cruised in the jungle. Besides, you might be able to come across Japanese macaques that live around the lake.

Opening Hours	24 Hours
Address	Kawamata, Kimizu City, Chiba Prefecture
Access	A 9-minute walk from Kazusa Kameyama Station which is 13 stations away from Kisarazu Station on the Kururi line
URL	http://www.kazusakameyama.com/