Stretching from the easternmost reaches of Tokyo down through the rural Boso Peninsula, the Chiba Prefecture holds a wide range of attractions. Modern theme parks, pristine beaches and ancient temples all have a claim on this corner of Japan.

History buffs in the Chiba Prefecture will make a beeline for the town of Narita. Its Naritasan Shinshoji Temple dates to the 10th century. Nature lovers may prefer spending a day along the Kujukuri Beach, a 60-kilometre stretch of Chiba’s northeastern shore. For travelling families, or simply the young at heart, the city of Urayasu is home to the massive Tokyo Disney Resort. With hotels, shopping and several theme parks at hand, visitors are hard-pressed to leave this wildly popular international attraction.

Japan has one of the best train systems in the world, and Chiba Prefecture is so close to the national capital of Tokyo that travelling to its smaller towns is a snap. The Chiba JR Station is central to the region and two lines extend down the west and east coasts of the peninsula to reach destinations like Narita and Tateyama.

There is ample evidence that this off-the-beaten-path peninsula has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The Jomon shell mounds are ancient debris from eating seafood and other meats that dot the Chiba Prefecture and could be as much as 16,000 years old. The Kasori Shellmound, and others like it in the area, are among the largest in Japan.