- TOP
- Search Criteria
- SAWARA－ Encounter Japanese wa at little edo sawara and katori-jingu shrine route
STORY
SAWARA－ Encounter Japanese wa at little edo sawara and katori-jingu shrine route
Visit the foremost old shrine in Chiba, and gaze on the retro townscape reminiscent of a period drama from a small boat.
●Gorgeous and Photogenic Sawara
Here we’ll give you a crash course on what to see and do in the Sawara area!
A shrine boasting among the foremost history and standing in Japan, which legend says to have been founded in 643BC. The black-painted main sanctuary is a notable feature.
Address: 1679 Katori, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 8:30-17:00
Closed: Open year-round
Price: Free
A memorial hall to celebrate the achievements of Ino Tadataka (1745-1818) who completed a Japanese map using a walking survey.
Address: 1722-1 Sawara-i, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 9:00-16:30
Closed: Mon. (open if public holiday)
Price: 500 yen Available
The house where Inoh Tadataka spent 30 years. Designated as a national place of historical interest, which maintains the features of an Edo period building.
Address: 1900-1 Sawara-i, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 9:00-16:30
Closed: Open year-round
Price: Free
A downriver boat trip to view the townscape from a boat on the Ono River which runs through a Nationally Designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings in Sawara.
Address: 1900-1 Sawara-i, Katori-shi, Chiba (boat pick-up),
1730-3 Sawara-i, Katori (office)
Hours: 10:00-16:00 (variations by season)
Closed: Irregular holidays (may be closed due to weather conditions)
Price: 1,300 yen
In early June in Suigo Sawara Ayame Park in Katori, Chiba Prefecture, the city holds their Suigo Sawara Ayame Festival to coincide with the irises (Ayame in Japanese) coming into full bloom. It’s a popular time of year for couples to get married, and visiting the park, you may catch a glimpse of newlyweds riding on a marriage boat, the stunning brides dressed in white kimono. During the festival, you can enjoy a boat ride through the park even if you're not getting married yourself that day (approx. 10 minutes).
【Information】
Suigo Sawara Ayame Park
Address: 1837-2 Ogishima, Katori-shi, Chiba
Topic 2: Sawara's grand festival, Unesco-Certified Intangible Cultural Heritage
Registered with Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage event, the “Edo Masari Sawara’s grand festival” features huge, dazzlingly carved festival floats weaving their way through the streets of the city, full of vintage Japanese charm. The summer festival is held from the Friday through Sunday immediately following July 10th while the autumn festival is held during the three days surrounding the second Saturday of October.
【Information】
Sawara’s grand festival
Address: Held near Yasaka Shrine in Sawara-shi, Katori, Chiba
A traditional restaurant specializing in “tsukudani” dishes consisting of fish, shellfish, shrimp and other ingredients stewed in soy sauce, cooking sake and sugar.
Address: 460 Sawara-i, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 8:00-19:00
Closed: Open year-round
A soba (buckwheat) noodles restaurant established in 1782. Famous for its “Kurokiri Soba,” which are black noodles made by kneading with kombu kelp. The building constructed in the Meiji era is worth seeing.
Address: Sawara I505, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 11:00-16:00
Closed: Wed. (variations by season)
Established 1825. A sake brewery which has been a prizewinner at numerous competitions. Tours possible. Free tastings available.
Address: 627 Sawara-i, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 10:00-17:00, tours 10:00-11:30, 13:00-16:00 (reservationsrequired for groups in excess of 15 persons)
Closed: Open year-round
Price: Free (includes sake tasting)
![]()
■For more information on Sawara, check out this video. Click here for the full version of the promotional video
●Gorgeous and Photogenic Sawara
Suigo Sawara Ayame Festival
The streets of Sawara are so evocative
The beautiful streets of the town
Sawara’s grand festival
Here we’ll give you a crash course on what to see and do in the Sawara area!
1. Katori-jingu Shrine
A shrine boasting among the foremost history and standing in Japan, which legend says to have been founded in 643BC. The black-painted main sanctuary is a notable feature.
Information
Katori-jingu Shrine | 香取神宮Address: 1679 Katori, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 8:30-17:00
Closed: Open year-round
Price: Free
2. Ino Tadataka Museum
A memorial hall to celebrate the achievements of Ino Tadataka (1745-1818) who completed a Japanese map using a walking survey.
Information
Ino Tadataka Museum｜伊能忠敬記念館Address: 1722-1 Sawara-i, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 9:00-16:30
Closed: Mon. (open if public holiday)
Price: 500 yen Available
3. Ino Tadataka former residence
The house where Inoh Tadataka spent 30 years. Designated as a national place of historical interest, which maintains the features of an Edo period building.
Information
Ino Tadataka former residence｜伊能忠敬旧宅Address: 1900-1 Sawara-i, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 9:00-16:30
Closed: Open year-round
Price: Free
4. Boat tour of Little Edo Sawara
A downriver boat trip to view the townscape from a boat on the Ono River which runs through a Nationally Designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings in Sawara.
Information
Boat tour of Little Edo Sawara｜ 小江戸さわら舟めぐりAddress: 1900-1 Sawara-i, Katori-shi, Chiba (boat pick-up),
1730-3 Sawara-i, Katori (office)
Hours: 10:00-16:00 (variations by season)
Closed: Irregular holidays (may be closed due to weather conditions)
Price: 1,300 yen
Topic 1: Wedding Boats at the Suigo Sawara Ayame Festival
In early June in Suigo Sawara Ayame Park in Katori, Chiba Prefecture, the city holds their Suigo Sawara Ayame Festival to coincide with the irises (Ayame in Japanese) coming into full bloom. It’s a popular time of year for couples to get married, and visiting the park, you may catch a glimpse of newlyweds riding on a marriage boat, the stunning brides dressed in white kimono. During the festival, you can enjoy a boat ride through the park even if you're not getting married yourself that day (approx. 10 minutes).
【Information】
Suigo Sawara Ayame Park
Address: 1837-2 Ogishima, Katori-shi, Chiba
Topic 2: Sawara's grand festival, Unesco-Certified Intangible Cultural Heritage
Registered with Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage event, the “Edo Masari Sawara’s grand festival” features huge, dazzlingly carved festival floats weaving their way through the streets of the city, full of vintage Japanese charm. The summer festival is held from the Friday through Sunday immediately following July 10th while the autumn festival is held during the three days surrounding the second Saturday of October.
【Information】
Sawara’s grand festival
Address: Held near Yasaka Shrine in Sawara-shi, Katori, Chiba
5. Asacho
A traditional restaurant specializing in “tsukudani” dishes consisting of fish, shellfish, shrimp and other ingredients stewed in soy sauce, cooking sake and sugar.
Information
Asacho｜麻兆Address: 460 Sawara-i, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 8:00-19:00
Closed: Open year-round
6. Koboriya Honten
A soba (buckwheat) noodles restaurant established in 1782. Famous for its “Kurokiri Soba,” which are black noodles made by kneading with kombu kelp. The building constructed in the Meiji era is worth seeing.
Information
Koboriya Honten | 小堀屋本店Address: Sawara I505, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 11:00-16:00
Closed: Wed. (variations by season)
6. Tokun Sake Brewery
Established 1825. A sake brewery which has been a prizewinner at numerous competitions. Tours possible. Free tastings available.
Information
Tokun Sake Brewery | 東薫酒造株式会社Address: 627 Sawara-i, Katori-shi, Chiba
Hours: 10:00-17:00, tours 10:00-11:30, 13:00-16:00 (reservationsrequired for groups in excess of 15 persons)
Closed: Open year-round
Price: Free (includes sake tasting)
■Getting to Sawara
 |
【Advice】 As there are around 5kms between Sawara Station and Katori-jingu Shrine, use of a taxi is recommended. The Sawara loop bus operates on Sat., Sun., and public holidays. 300 yen or one-day boarding pass 500 yen. One to two buses per hour. It is possible to cover Sawara on foot. |
■For more information on Sawara, check out this video. Click here for the full version of the promotional video
 |
Click here for the e-guidebook of Chiba's highlights and tour plans 《Chiba Japan Perfect Guide for Tourists》 ⇒Download here |
Liked this story? Like DiGJAPAN!
on Facebook for daily updates!
THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 11 17,2017 Author：DiGJAPAN! Editorial Team
NEW COMMENT | 0 COMMENTS
Open a DiGJAPAN!
account to comment.
Open a DiGJAPAN! Account