Nanohana, another spring flower beloved by locals in Japan
Canola Flower or Nanohana 菜の花 is the flower that Japanese people often associate with a spring landscape on the countryside of Japan. The view of Nanohana fields, surrounded by small mountains, is beloved by locals as it makes a warm feeling and the charm differs from it in Sakura cherry blossoms which gloriously bloom in town.
Nanohana viewing spots in Chiba
In Tokyo and the nearby areas including Chiba and Kanagawa prefecture, the Nanohana bloom is at its best from the middle of March to early April. The Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture has some Nanohana viewing spots and the area along the Kominato-sen Line and Isumi-sen Line is a unique place where you can enjoy viewing Nanohana on the train.
Kominato-sen Line小湊線
The Kominato-sen Line is a local railway about 39km in length, located in the middle of Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. Though the location is not so far from Tokyo, it still retains a serene, peaceful landscape of the countryside. The little train slowly runs between small stations, in nostalgic sceneries.
The train runs between Goi Station五井駅 and Kazusa Nakano Station上総中野駅 in about one hour. The favorite viewing spots are between Satomi Station里見駅 and Youro-keikoku (Yoro Valley) 養老渓谷駅. In 30 minutes after departing from Goi Station, you will see Nanohana fields outside of the train window.
From Kazusa Ushiku Station上総牛久駅, seven stops away from Goi Station (about a 30-min ride), a tourist train Torokko Tetsudo is available (With an extra fee. Prior ticket purchase is required). This kawaii train runs along the railroad fringed with yellow flowers.
Getting there
From Tokyo (Akihabara Station) to Goi Station (at the lowest fare)
From JR Akihabara Station 秋葉原駅 take a train go to Shinkoiwa Station 新小岩駅 and change the train there. From Shinkoiwa Station, take a train on the JR Sobu-kaisoku Express JR総武線快速 bound for Kimitsu 君津 to get to Goi Station 五井駅.
(Total travel time 1 hour 10 min. Fare 990 JPY/ one way)
Tips
- The train will be crowded on weekends.
- About a 1-hour ride between Goi sta. and Youro Keikoku (Yoro Valley)
- It is about a 1-hour ride between Goi sta. and Youro Keikoku (Yoro Valley) and the fare is 1280JPY/one way. Purchasing a Kominato One-Day Ticket (2000 JPY) is recommended for those wanting to get off at several stations to do sightseeing along the line.
Related websites
Kominato Railway 小湊鉄道
https://www.kominato.co.jp/ (Japanese website)
Torroko Densha (Trouist Train) トロッコ電車
https://www.kominato.co.jp/satoyamatorocco/ (Japanese website)
Yoro Valley Tourist Association 養老渓谷観光協会
http://www.youroukeikoku.com/ (Japanese website)
Isumi-sen いすみ線
Isumi-sen Line is a 27km-long local railway connected with the Kominato-sen Line. Isumi-sen has a bunch of both Nanohana and Sakura viewing spots along the railroad. Nanohana flowers and Sakura cherry blossoms fringe along the railway where the soothing scenery enchants the passengers.
From Kazusa Nakano Station the Isumi-sen train is connected to the Kominato-sen train, so it allows to ride through viewing spots on the train from Goi Station to Oohara Station.
Getting on the Isumi-sen train from Oohara Station is also a choice. Taking a train from Oohara Station to Goi Station let you across the Boso Peninsula by train.
Getting there
From JR Chiba Station千葉駅to Oohara Station大原駅 (at low fare).
(In the case of getting on the Isumi-sen train from Oohara)
From Chiba Station 千葉駅 take a train on the JR Sotobo-sen Line 外房線 bound for Awa-Kamogawa 安房鴨川 to get to Oohara Station 大原駅.
(Travel time 1 hour 10 min Fare 990JPY/ one way)
Tips
- From Oohra Station to Kazusa Nakano Station, the fare is 730JPY/one way.
https://goo.gl/maps/FkooB2pABfT2
Related websites
Isumi Railway いすみ鉄道
https://isumirail.co.jp/ (Japanese website)
Visit Chibaby Chiba Prefectural Tourism & Local Products Association
https://www.visitchiba.jp/
