Chiba Prefecture

When Ichinomiya was chosen to host the first-ever Olympic surfing competition at the Tokyo 2020 Games, it marked the culmination of 40 years of grassroots surf culture taking shape. We headed to this laid-back coastal destination to meet some of the people who helped shape one of Japan’s best-known surf towns.

We start with a visit to CHP surf shop, an original Ichinomiya institution whose story begins with the Nakamura family. We first spoke with Shingo Nakamura, the son of CHP’s founder, Kazumi Nakamura. As Shingo told us, “When my dad started building and shaping surfboards, there were hardly any surfboard makers in Japan.” In 1972, Kazumi opened Surf Shop Nakamura in Chiba City, and four years later he moved to Ichinomiya and established CHP, which has been part of the local surf scene ever since.

Now, Shingo is the owner of @chp_mainshowroom, which is still in its original location at the heart of Ichinomiya. As Shingo explains, “It’s a great spot for surfing. Even if wave conditions aren’t great right here, you can drive 30 minutes south or north to find good waves.”

Shingo’s younger brother Daisuke leads CHP’s surf shaping team. He was immersed in surfing culture from an early age and began traveling overseas as a young surfer. After graduating from junior high school, he traveled alone to South Africa, where he worked at a T&C Surf Designs shaping factory. He eventually became a professional surfer and went on to travel extensively, with many of his adventures around the world featured in surf publications.

Daisuke eventually brought all of those experiences into his own shaping. He learned the fundamentals from his father, Kazumi, before developing his own style through influences including South African shaper Peter Daniels and California shaper Chris McElroy. Today, Daisuke continues Peter Daniels’ legacy through CHP’s DNA Series, while also designing a wide range of boards of his own.

But surfing wasn’t his only passion. Daisuke was also a competitive skateboarder as a kid and trained under Japanese skateboarding pioneer Aki Akiyama. He went on to win the boys’ division at the first All-Japan Skateboard Championship before dedicating himself t

Many parts of Chiba are still recovering from the damage caused by Typhoon No. 25. However, our beloved Sawara Grand Fall Festival is still expected to take place on October 9, 10 ＆ 11. We hope this occasion raises the spirits of our communities and gives people from outside the prefecture a chance to support our recovery efforts.

About the festival:
An event so nice it has to be held twice, the semi-annual Sawara Grand Festival takes place in both July and October, with the fall edition being perhaps the grandest affair on the Chiba festival calendar. If you’re in the Tokyo or Narita areas this upcoming October 9 – 11, you can come witness the festivities by taking a trip to JR Sawara Station *** Please see below for details.

This festival has taken place for over 300 years here in the historic district of Sawara, and its roots date back to Sawara’s heyday as a thriving transport hub during the Edo period. The proceedings are most known for massive wooden floats, called ‘dashi,’ which make their way through the streets transporting sculptures of famous figures in Japanese history and folklore: samurai generals, gods and goddesses, animals, and more. Traditional music and dance performances add to the atmosphere here, helping earn this festival UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.

*** The JR Narita Line is currently operating normally to JR Sawara Station, but JR`s broader service information notes some reduced/cancelled services in the surrounding area due to the damage caused by Typhoon No. 25.
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Visit Chiba Japan is run by locals who love sharing our favorite spots in Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo’s neighbor and home to Narita International Airport.

#chiba #千葉 #japan #travel #festival

Located in Katori, Chiba, with bus service to and from Narita Airport, THE FARM offers camping, glamping, cottage stays and much more! Complement your stay at this Agrizm Park with vegetable picking, a hot spring bath, and family activities. See slides for more info ➡️

@thefarm_katori
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Visit Chiba Japan is run by locals who love sharing our favorite spots in Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo’s neighbor and home to Narita International Airport.

#chiba #千葉 #japan

Lodging: Camp, glamp, or stay in a cottage.
Pictured: Cottage stay

Lodging: Camp, glamp, or stay in a cottage.
Pictured: Riverside glamping tent

Eat and Drink: Enjoy a BBQ on your deck or a meal at the cafe, plus a buffet breakfast in the morning
Pictured: Riverside glamping deck BBQ

Eat and Drink: Enjoy a BBQ on your deck or a meal at the cafe, plus a buffet breakfast in the morning
Pictured: Making smores on the glamping grounds

Eat and Drink: Enjoy a BBQ on your deck or a meal at the cafe, plus a buffet breakfast in the morning
Pictured: Breakfast buffet

Try your hand at different farm experiences, and even pick your own vegetables to BBQ at night.

Try your hand at different farm experiences, and even pick your own vegetables to BBQ at night.

Soak up the hot spring experience at the Karin no Yu onsen.

Soak up the hot spring experience at the Karin no Yu onsen.

Soak up the hot spring experience at the Karin no Yu onsen.

Ohara Hadaka Festival - September 23rd & 24th, 2026
Main ‘Shiofumi’ Event: September 23, 2:30 PM at Ohara Beach

The Ohara Hadaka Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year here in Chiba, best known for a practice called ‘shiofumi’ where participants rush into the ocean carrying ‘mikoshi’ portable shrines. Traditionally, the shiofumi was meant as a way to pay respects to the sea, and to pray for bountiful crops and fish harvests. This heritage lives on today as a beloved celebration of the local coastal culture.

The shiofumi is scheduled to take place around 2:30 PM on September 23. Then the festivities continue for the remainder of the two-day festival, with crowds parading around the city, still transporting the ‘kami’ gods in their portable shrines. If you’re looking for an only-in-Japan experience, come on down to Chiba’s Pacific coast to see this stunning spectacle in person!

Location: Isumi City, Chiba
The shiofumi takes place at Ohara Beach
Google Maps Plus Code:
7C62+72 Isumi, Chiba
Train access: Ohara Station, JR Sotobo Line
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Chiba Prefecture, the home of Narita International Airport, is conveniently located next to Tokyo. Explore Chiba and discover its charm on your next trip to Japan. More information about what to see and do here can be found at visitchiba.jp (link in bio).

#chiba #千葉 #japan #festival