Chiba Nanohana News (April 2023)

 Index

I. News     II. Festivals and Events     III. Exhibitions, Concerts, etc 

I. News

1) Free Legal Consultation for Foreign Residents

In cooperation with the Chiba Bar Association and the Chiba Prefectural Administrative Scrivener Association, the Chiba International Center provides free monthly consultations to support the legal resolution of daily life problems faced by foreigners residing in the prefecture.

The consultations cover legal, divorce, accident, inheritance, and labor issues by lawyers, as well as residence status, visa, and business start-up procedural issues by immigration specialists.

Consultations are free of charge, but an advance appointment is required on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

• Reservations: Chiba International Center TEL: 043-297-0245
• Time: 1:00-4:00 pm (45-minute consultation per person)
• Schedule: the annual schedule through March 2024 is available on the Chiba International Center website
• Location: Chiba International Center / Makuhari Techno Garden Building D, 14th Floor
  1-3 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City
  (The office was relocated to the above address on May 1st, 2022)
• Access: walk 5 minutes from Kaihin-Makuhari Station on the JR Keiyo Line

II. Festivals and Events

1) Clam Digging Spots in Chiba

“Shiohigari,” or clam digging, is a quintessential springtime seaside activity in Japan. Spring is the best time for clam digging since manila clams, known as “asari” in Japanese, are in season. The sunlight is also gentle during this season, and the temperature doesn’t rise as high as it does in summer, so the risk of heatstroke is low. Clam digging has long been enjoyed as a marine leisure activity that even small children can take part in, as it requires little preparation or tools and has low risk of injury or accidents.

1. Funabashi Sanbanze Seaside Park 〔Funabashi City〕

As the closest clam digging site to central Tokyo, Funabashi Sanbanze Seaside Park overlooks a precious tidal flat in Tokyo Bay called “Sanbanze” that attracts many guests from the city and greater Tokyo metropolitan area every year. The park is equipped with coin lockers and foot-washing facilities as well as rentals for clam rakes (for a fee), which are necessary for clam digging. There is also a fountain plaza and a barbecue area (for a fee, reservation required) where everyone from small children to groups of adults can enjoy themselves all day long.

Clam digging tickets can only be purchased in advance at a convenience store ticket terminal.

• Duration: Tuesday, April 18 to Thursday, May 25
• Location: Funabashi Sanbanze Seaside Park／40 Shiomicho, Funabashi City
• Admission: Adults (junior high school students and above) 500 yen, children (age 4 and above) 250 yen
  ※ Clams are 120 yen per 100 grams
• Access:【By Train】From the South Exit of Funabashi Station on the JR Sobu Line/Keisei Funabashi Station on the Keisei Main Line or the Futamata Shindo Bus Stop near Futamatashinmachi Station on the JR Keiyo Line, take the Keisei Bus System bus bound for Funabashi Kaihin Koen and get off at the last stop
  【By Car】From the Baraki IC (Interchange) on the Keiyo Road, take the exit on the Baraki side, turn left at the first traffic light, and head towards Funabashi Central Wharf (parking fee: 500 yen for standard vehicles)
• Contact: Funabashi Sanbanze Seaside Park TEL:047-435-0828

2. Egawa, Ushigome, Kisarazu, Kuzuma, and Kaneda Mitate Beaches 〔Kisarazu City〕

The coastline that runs from Ushigome to Kisarazu’s Nakanoshima Bridge is the widest natural coast along Tokyo Bay, with a tidal flat that expands hundreds of meters offshore at low tide. Visitors can enjoy clam digging at each beach of this vast, treasured tidal flat. It’s a spot at which children and adults alike are enchanted by the feel of the sand and the smell of sea air that fills the lungs.

The types of clams available to gather are mainly “asari” (manila clam) but also include “hamaguri” (Asiatic hard clam), “bakagai” or “aoyagi” (trough shell), among others.

• Location / Duration / Contact Information
  1. Egawa Beach / Saturday, March 25 to Monday, July 17 (national holiday) / Shin-Kisarazu Fisheries Cooperative, Egawa Branch TEL:0438-41-2234
  2. Ushigome Beach / Saturday, March 25 to Saturday, July 8 / Shin-Kisarazu Fisheries Cooperative, Ushigome Branch
  TEL:0438-41-1341
  3.Kisarazu Beach / Saturday, March 25 to Saturday, July 22 / Shin-Kisarazu Fisheries Cooperative, Main Branch
  TEL:0438-23-4545
  4.Kuzuma Beach / Saturday, April 8 to Sunday, July 2 / Shin-Kisarazu Fisheries Cooperative, Kuzuma Branch 
  TEL:0438-41-2629 
  5. Kaneda Mitate Beach / Saturday, March 25 to Sunday, July 23 / Kaneda Fisheries Cooperative
  TEL:0438-41-0511
• Clam Digging Fee: junior high school students and above (up to 2 kg) 2000 yen, age 4 to elementary school students (up to 1 kg) 1000 yen, excess charge of 1000 yen per kg
• Rest Area Admission: junior high school students and above 200 yen, age 4 to elementary school students 100 yen
• Access:
  《Egawa, Ushigome, Kuzuma, and Kaneda Mitate Beaches》
  【By Train】From Iwane Station on the JR Uchibo Line, take a taxi for 5 to 15 minutes
  【By Car】From the Aqua-Line Renraku Expressway, take the Kisarazu Kaneda IC (Interchange) and drive 5-10 minutes or the Sodegaura IC and drive 10-15 minutes
  《Kisarazu Beach》
  【By Train】Take the train to Kisarazu Station on the JR Uchibo Line and walk 25 minutes from the West Exit
  【By Car】From the Aqua-Line Renraku Expressway, take the Kisarazu Kaneda IC (Interchange) and drive 15 minutes or the Kisarazu-Minami IC and drive 10 minutes
• Contact: Kisarazu Tourist Information Center TEL:0438-22-7711 

Exhibitions, Concerts, etc.

1)The 1st Collection Exhibition / Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art〔Chiba City〕

1. Masterpiece 1 -Nostalgic Scenery-

Millet "Sheeps Grazing by a Hedge"

This exhibition has works by Corot, Millet, Renoir, and Asai Chu on display, among other particularly highly requested pieces from the museum’s collection. In addition, the work “Te o Tsunago” (Let’s Join Hands) from the 2022 Eguchi Hisashi Illustration Exhibition “Kanojo” will be added on Thursday, April 27.

2. The Age of Postcards 1

Tanaka Hanshichi, Postcard to Asai Chu

In the Age of Postcards 1 exhibition, visitors can see postcards that were sent back home by Japanese travelers who went abroad at the time of the 1900 Paris Exposition. These postcards are filled with women portrayed in the Art Nouveau style, which was popular at the time, as well as scenes vividly depicting the bustling cityscapes, tourist attractions, and social conditions of the time. Other artifacts and paintings from this glamorous era will also be on display along with the postcards.

3. Creatures Made by Man

Asai Chu "Gakizu (Drawing of an Ogre) (Partial)"

This exhibition features works with creatures that were created by humans, such as phoenixes, qilin, dragons, and ogres, together with the backdrops in which these works were made. Those who visit the exhibition can gain a sense of the human ideas of longevity, all-powerfulness, beauty, and awe that resulted in the conception of these creatures. 

※ Please see the museum website for further details.

• Duration: Saturday, April 1 to Sunday, May 28
• Hours: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm （last admission at 4:00 pm）
• Closed:  Mondays
• Admission: adults 300 yen、junior high/high school students 150 yen
  ※Free admission for seniors (65 years and above), children under junior high school age, and persons with disabilities carrying certification plus one caregiver
• Location: Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art/1-10-1 Chuoko, Chuo-ku, Chiba City
• Access:【By Train】Take the JR Keiyo Line or Chiba Urban Monorail to Chiba Minato Station and walk 10 minutes
• Contact: Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art TEL:043-242-8311

 

 

I. News      II. Festivals and Events     III. Exhibitions, Concerts, etc