30 min. from Tokyo! What to do in Funabashi? Vol.4 Experiences

Funabashi City, in Chiba Prefecture, is located between Tokyo and Narita Airport. The area around Funabashi Station, and the area facing Tokyo Bay are home to all kinds of shops, restaurants and amusements. Meanwhile, just a short stroll away you’ll find beautiful parks where you can enjoy seasonal flowers near the shores of Tokyo Bay. From shopping to culture, Funabashi City offers a variety of unmissable Japan experiences, helping you enjoy your free time to the fullest.

Experiences

Pear-picking! Ono Nashi-en

Juicy and sweet Japanese pears are harvested in Funabashi. Chiba Prefecture ranks first in Japan in the number of pears harvested every year.

Ono Nashi-en
  • Open everyday during pear picking season (from mid-August to late-September)
  • Fee for experience (per person): 800 – 5,000 yen *Selling by weight (800 yen/kg)
  • Maximum capacity (persons): 10 people
  • Necessity of interpretation: Required
  • Necessity of reservation: Required (Phone, E-mail: oononashien@gmail.com)
    *1 day prior to visit
    *Not necessary for a group of six or smaller

Access 7-min walk from Takifudo Station (SL16)
Telephone number 0474482416
Business hours 9:00 – 18:00

Enjoy Strawberry-picking Tanaka-en

Enjoy strawberry-picking from January to May at this fruit farm which grows Japanese pears, grapes, strawberries, and much more.

Tanaka-en
  • Available only from January to May
  • Fee for experience (per person): 500 – 2,000 yen (depending on the season)
  • Maximum capacity (persons): 40 people
  • Necessity of interpretation: Required
  • Necessity of reservation: Required (Phone, Web, E-mail: tanakaen.funabashi@gmail.com)

Access 6-min walk from Misaki Station (SL15)
Telephone number 0474482058
Business hours 10:00 – 13:00
URL https://tanakaenfunabashi.wixsite.com/tanakaen/blank

Enjoy Japanese music TAIKO-LAB Funabashi

This wadaiko (traditional Japanese drums) school can arrange a wadaiko class for a group of tourists. Wadaiko is a powerful musical instrument, which even beginners can enjoy playing. Playing wadaiko is not only enjoying music, however, but also a physical sport using your whole body, and has been gaining attention recently as a way to refresh your energy.

TAIKO-LAB Funabashi
  • Fee for experience (per person): 3,000 – 5,000 yen
  • Maximum capacity (persons): 15 people
  • Necessity of interpretation: Not required
  • Necessity of reservation: Required (Phone, Web, E-mail: info@taikolab-funabashi.com)
    *3 days prior to visit

Access 7-min walk from Funabashi Station (JB31, JO25, KS22, TD35)
Telephone number 0474678700
Business hours 10:00 – 22:00
URL https://www.taikolab-funabashi.com/

Utilizing renewable energy Funabashi Meguru Spa

Funabashi Meguru Spa is a spa facility utilizing thermal energy generated from incinerating garbage at Hokubu Seiso Kojo, a garbage disposal facility in Funabashi City. The facility has big bath areas with open-air baths, saunas, and a walking pool.
*People with tattoos are not allowed to use the facility.

Funabashi Meguru Spa
  • Admission fee: 500 yen
  • Necessity of interpretation: Not required
  • Necessity of reservation: Not required

Access 40 min by bus from Funabashi Station (JB31, JO25, KS22, TD35), getting off at Funabashi Meguspa-mae / 15 min by bus from Misaki Station (SL15)
Telephone number 0474575151
Business hours 9:00 –21:00
Regular holiday Mon (or the following day when it falls on a national holiday), Dec. 29 to Jan. 3
URL https://f-meguspa.jp/

Japanese 3rd generation Antarctic Research Vessel

The 134-meter long and 28-meter wide SHIRASE was an enormous Ice Breaker that went to Japanese Antarctic Station 25 times. The vessel is now moored in Funabashi Port and provides guided tours for the visitors. It will be an exciting experience for you to see the inside of vessel and the special equipments. The guided tours are organized in collaboration with Sapporo Chiba Brewery. You are invited to learn how they brew their famous Sapporo Black Label, which you can taste at the end of the tour.

SHIRASE 5002 and Sapporo Black Label Collaboration Tour
  • Open hours: Please refer to the website
  • Fee for experience (per person): Collaboration tour: 1,000 yen, Sapporo Chiba Brewery tour: 500 yen
  • Maximum capacity (persons): 40 people
  • Necessity of interpretation: Required
  • Necessity of reservation: Required (Phone, Web)

Access Meet-up area of the guided tours: Shuttle bus from Minami-Funabashi Station (JE11), Shin-Narashino Station (JE12) or Tsudanuma Station (JB33, JO26)
Telephone number 81474373591
Business hours Please refer to the website
URL https://www.sapporobeer.jp/english/brewery/chiba/

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The information herein is as of March 2020

Chiba Article

(Hands-on) Experience Article