Chiba Nanohana News (May 2022)

 Index

I. Festivals and Events 

Festivals and Events 

1) Clam Digging in Funabashi Sambanze Seaside Park (Funabashi City)

Clam digging is a springtime seaside tradition. The fun, family-friendly event of clam digging has finally begun from April 21 at Funabashi Sambanze Seaside Park, which overlooks Sambanze, a precious tidal flat in Tokyo Bay.

Spring is the peak season for clams, making it ideal for clam digging. Unlike summer, it is also when people can bask in the sun without high temperatures, so the risk of heat stroke and other illnesses is low.

With little preparation and equipment and minimal risk of injury, clam digging has long been enjoyed by Japanese people as an easy, ocean side leisure activity that even small children can enjoy.

As the closest area for clam digging to Tokyo, Funabashi Sambanze Seaside Park is crowded with visitors from the city and the Tokyo metropolitan area every year.

The park is equipped with coin lockers and foot-washing areas, and visitors can rent rakes necessary for clam digging (for a fee).    

In addition, visitors of all ages can have a fun-filled day at the fountain plaza and barbecue area (for a fee; pre-reservation required).

During this event, the Funabashi Sambanze Museum of Environment will also be holding the “Kore de Bacchiri! Shiohigari (Clam Digging) 2022” exhibit.

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, tickets for this event will only be available at convenience store ticket machines. Please purchase tickets in advance.

• Duration: April 21 (Thurs) - May 22 (Sun)
• Place: Funabashi Sambanze Seaside Park / 40 Shiomicho, Funabashi City
• Fee: Adult (Junior high school & up) 500 yen, Child (4 y.o. & up) 250 yen
  ※ 120 yen per 100g to take clams home

• Access:
  【Train】 From JR Funabashi Station South Exit (Keisei Funabashi Station) or JR Keiyo Line Futamata-shinmachi Station (Futamatashindo bus stop), ride the Keisei Bus System bus bound for “Funabashi Kaihin Koen (Funabashi Seaside Park)” and get off at the last stop
  【Car】 From Baraki Interchange on the Keiyo Freeway, take the exit for Baraki and turn left at the first traffic light, then go straight towards Funabashi Central Wharf (Parking fee: 500 yen)

• Funabashi Sambanze Seaside Park website

2) Dolphin Watching / Choshi Ocean Institute (Choshi City)

In the waters off the coast of Choshi where the Oyashio and Kuroshio Currents flow, you can see wild dolphins, whales, and many other marine life throughout the year from 1~30km off the coast to the offshore waters and experience the wonders of the ocean and nature at its best!

Create new memories and experience an unforgettable interaction with dolphins in Choshi!

【Offshore Dolphin Watching】 (“Okiai” Course)

• Duration: April 1 (Fri) - May 31 (Tues)
• Time: 3 ~ 4 hours
• Boat departure times: Once a day from 13:00 (incl. Golden Week)
• Fee: Adult (high school students & up) 7,500 yen
         Child (elementary & junior high school students) 6,000 yen
  ※ Children under elementary school age are not allowed on board
• Capacity: 20 people (first-come-first-served basis)
  ※ Advanced reservation required
  ※ In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the capacity has been reduced.

【Coastal Dolphin Watching】 (“Engan” Course)

• Duration: April 1 (Fri) - May 31 (Tues)
• Time: 1 ~ 1.5 hours
• Boat departure times: Once a day from 10:00 (incl. Golden Week)
• Fee: Adult (high school students & up) 4,500 yen
         Child (elementary & junior high school students) 3,500 yen
         Young children (ages 3-5) 2,000 yen
  ※ Children under 3 are not allowed on board
• Capacity: 20 people (first-come-first-served basis)
  ※ Advanced reservation required
  ※ In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the capacity has been reduced.
• Meeting place: Choshi Ocean Research Institute / 15-9 Shiomicho, Choshi City
• Meeting time: 30 min. before departure
• Access: 【Train】 Get off at Choshi Station on the JR Sobu Main Line, then take the Chiba Kotsu Bus Choshi Institute of Science Line and get off at “Chiba Kagaku Daigaku (Chiba Institute of Science) Marina Mae” bus stop
• Dolphin Watching (Choshi Ocean Research Institute Website)

 

I. Festivals and Events