Chiba Prefecture 千葉県

Chiba Prefecture (Japanese: 千葉県) is a prefecture of Japan in the Kanto Region, within the Greater Tokyo Area. Covering an area of 5,156 sq km, in size it ranks 27th out of the 47 prefectures. Chiba Prefecture's population of 5.2 million people (2011 estimate) places it in 6th position. The prefecture was established in 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture. It is best known as the site of Narita International Airport, the main international gateway to Tokyo.

Chiba Prefecture borders Ibaraki Prefecture to the north, and Saitama Prefecture and Tokyo Metropolis to the west. It faces the Pacific Ocean to the east and Tokyo Bay to the south. Most of Chiba Prefecture is on the Boso Peninsula. The most populous part of Chiba Prefecture is on the northwest, closest to Tokyo.

The coastal area facing Tokyo Bay has been developed into one of Japan's largest industrial areas. This began after Kawasaki Steel set up its factory there in 1950. It spurred the prefectural government to start a land reclamation project along the coast, creating a waterfront in which factories, warehouses and docks were constructed.

Chiba is also a major rice farming region. It is in fact the second-highest in terms of agricultural output behind only Hokkaido. In addition, it has a large industry in harvesting seaweeds from Tokyo Bay.

Jigoku Nozoki at Nokogiriyama, the Sawtooth Mountain


Great Pavilion of Shinsoji Temple, Narita, Chiba Prefecture

Going to Chiba Prefecture

By Train
Regardless which major city in Chiba Prefecture you are visiting, you can rely on the JR trains to get you there. First you take a train to Chiba Station, and from there take the trains to any of the city in Chiba. The Uchibo Line follows the western coast of the Boso Peninsula to Tateyama via Kisarazu. The Sotobo Line cuts across the peninsula and follow the eastern coast of the peninsula.

Cities of Chiba Prefecture

Tourist Attractions of Chiba Prefecture

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