GOASIAPLUS December 2017

Road Less Taken
Road Less Taken is a collaboration with AirAsiaGo.
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ROAD LESS TAKEN:
Chiba,
Japan
FLASHBACK TO THE 18TH
CENTURY, CHIBA IS HOME
TO ANCIENT SHRINES
AND MERCHANT TOWNS
PRESERVED IN EDO PERIOD,
CLOSE TO THE CITIES OF
NARITA AND SAWARA.
WORDS BY JESSY WONG • PHOTOS BY
GETTY IMAGES & AIRASIAGO
HOW TO GET THERE
Japan’s bustling Narita International
Airport (which is also the main stop for
Tokyo) is in Chiba Prefecture where one
can fly directly there with most major
airlines across the world. Flights from KL
take almost 7 hours. Sawara is only 15
kilometers away from Narita so you can
easily take the JR Narita Line train service
to JR Sawara Station which is only a 30
minute train ride.
WHERE TO STAY
Check out Narita View Hotel for its close
proximity to the airport and Naritasan
Shinshoji Temple. Besides having cosy
contemporary rooms, guests can unwind
in the hotel’s onsen.
Sleep in tatami rooms and futon
beds at the New Makomo Hotel for
an authentic Japanese night-stay
overviewing Hitachitone River. It is also
within walking distance to Itako train
station just 3 stops away from Sawara.
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WHAT TO DO
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is a wellknown
Buddhist temple in Edo period
that presently attracts millions of visitors
annually. While in Narita city, Boso no
Mura Museum is a cultural gem where
you can dress up in old armors, learn
about the tea ceremony and make
Japanese desserts. Katori Shrine is
founded a millennia ago and is currently
one of Japan’s most important shrines.
Tours are available on temple grounds for
a thorough sacred guide.
Sawara Old Town is a riverside city
with rows of kurazukuri, traditional
Japanese architectural buildings where
one can relive the Edo period in the air
of heritage. You can also opt for a cruise
along the peaceful stream of Onogawa
River for an overview of the city. Visit
Suigo Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden
for a breathtaking sight of a million lotus
and irises of various species covering the
lavish 6-hectares garden.
WHERE TO eat
There are many Japanese restaurants
along the streets of Sawara. Koboriya has
the best Kurokiri soba boiled with fresh
seaweed while Hasegawa is known for
their freshwater eel; unagi with rice.
For light snacks, Takeotei sells taiyaki,
a local fish-shaped pastry with red bean
paste. This region had been producing
sake since Edo years so
taste some of Japan’s
favourite spirit brands
at Tokun Shuzo Sake
Brewery or Baba
Honten Brewery
as winter is a sakebrewing
season.
i LOCAL TIPS & FACTS
Ino Tadataka, the man who accurately mapped
Japan, had a memorial museum erected in his
hometown Sawara featuring his cartography tools.
Japanese emperors pray in the direction of the east
where Katori Shrine is also facing as it is believed
to be protecting the nation.
The making of soy sauce started at Sawara in the
Edo period so taste and shop for a few bottles
while you are there.