Choshi

Chōshi (銚子) is a city in Chiba Prefecture. Its fishery port is one of the largest in Japan in terms of amount of fish caught.

Understand

Choshi City Tourism Association has an office in JR Choshi station and maintains a Japanese only guide site.

Get in

By train

1 Chōshi Station is the terminus of the JR Sōbu Main Line from Tōkyō and Chiba via Narutō, and also is the terminus of some trains on the JR Narita Line from Chiba via Narita and Katori.

Limited express Shiosai (しおさい) trains from Tōkyō on the Sōbu Main Line cost ¥3,510 for an unreserved seat or ¥3,820 for a reserved seat, and take about 1 hr 40 min for the whole trip. The last Shiosai leaving Chōshi at 18:40 does not stop at Tōkyō Station, but terminates in Shinjuku at 20:42. Missing this will require taking several local trains, most likely transferring at Chiba. The entire trip by local train costs ¥2,210, but takes about 2½ hours.

All services mentioned above are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and the JR East Pass.

By bus

There is Intercity Express bus leaving from Tokyo Station Yaesu Bus Terminal. One-way costs ¥2,210 and takes 2 hours and 20 mins.

By car

From the Tokyo area, you can take Keiyou Highway or Bayshore route to Miyanogi junction. Then take East Kanto Expressway for 45 mins to Itako interchange and drive on National Road 124 to Choshi. Alternatively, at Miyanogi junction, drive on Keiyou Highway for 10 mins to Chiba East interchange and change to Chiba Tougane Highway, drive for 35 mins and exit at the Yokoshibahikari interchange for National Road 126. Drive on National Road 126 for 50 mins to reach Choshi. Both routes take about 1 hour 35 mins from Miyanogi junction.

Get around

• Train: The Chōshi Electric Railway Line travels from Chōshi Station, connecting with JR, to Tokawa Station, near the easternmost point in Chiba Prefecture. Fares are distance based, ranging from ¥180 to ¥350. Day pass is ¥700. (Prices as of July 2023.) Suica and PASMO cards are not accepted on Chōshi Electric Railway Line. Train runs once an hour in each direction.
• Bicycle: From the main exit of Choshi Station straight ahead approx 300 m on the left. It costs ¥735 all day for renting one bicycle.
• Car: Free parking is available at Inuboh station (15 parking spots) and Tokawa station (5 parking spots).

See

• 1 Inubōsaki Lighthouse (犬吠埼灯台 Inubōsaki Tōdai), 9576 Inubōsaki (walk 7 min from Inubō Station on the Chōshi Electric Railway Line), ☏ +81 479 25-8239. Daily 08:30-16:00; closed in inclement weather. The most visited lighthouse in Japan, completed in 1874. Adults ¥300, elementary school and younger free. (updated Mar 2022)
• 2 Yamasa Soy Sauce Factory Tour (ヤマサ醤油工場見学ツアー), 2-10-1 Araoicho (walk 3 minutes from Nakanomachi Station on the Chōshi Electric Railway Line), ☏ +81 479-22-9809. M-F 08:30-16:50. Reservation required. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Chōshi Electric Railway Depot Tour (Get off at Nakanochō Station and purchase ticket in the station building). You can look and tour inside a working train depot. ¥150. (updated Mar 2022)
• 4 Byōbugaura (屛風ヶ浦). See the steep cliff caused by wave erosion. (updated Mar 2022)
• 5 Choshi Port Tower, 2-6385-267 Kawaguchicho, ☏ +81 479 24-9500. Aug and Apr-Sep's Sa Su and holiday 09:00-18:30. Other times 09:00-17:30.. Tower with observation deck at 46m above surface. Provides a good view around Choshi, Inubozaki Lighthouse and Mount Atago. Adults ¥420, seniors (65+) ¥360, students ¥200. (updated Jul 2023)

Do

Choshi is the starting point of the great Pacific Cycling Road spanning six prefectures to Wakayama.

Buy

• 1 Nure senbei (Moist senbei rice crackers), 9595-1 Inubosaki (Inside Inuboh Station), ☏ +81 479 251106. 10:00-17:00. The (nure senbei) moist rice cracker is a must-buy for tourist, as the Chōshi Electric Railway Line relies on the sales of these food to subsidize 80% of the cost of running the loss-making railway line! There are multiple flavours available and baked fresh daily at the Inuboh station. Other foods and souvenir are also sold in the shop. (updated Mar 2022)
• 2 Aeon Mall Choshi, 288-0815 Chiba, ☏ +81 479 20 0400. 10:00-21:00. Shopping mall containing a cinema and many restaurants. (updated Mar 2022)
• 3 Wosse 21 (ウオッセ21), 2-6529-34 Kawaguchicho, ☏ +81 479 25-4500. M-F 09:00-16:00, Sa Su 09:00-17:00. Fish market and seafood restaurant directly connected to the Port Tower. (updated Jul 2023)

Eat

Fresh fish. Sushi or sashimi rice bowl.

Go next

• Asahi
• Tonnosho
• Katori
• Sosa
• Yokoshibahikari
• Sammu
• Kamisu
• Itako
• Kashima

Routes through Choshi

Chiba ← Naruto ←

W  E

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