It’s been a while since my last post.
The summer of 2022 is incredibly hot…
Still, I feel like staying cooped up at home all the time isn’t good for the body.
So, for those who want to take a day trip near Tokyo,
I’m going to introduce a model course to enjoy sweets and Instagram-worthy spots in Chiba.
It’s a model course I can recommend even in the height of summer,
where you can eat, sightsee, and finally refresh yourself at a hot spring.
This article is based on the author’s actual experiences
Target Audience
- Couples who want to travel near the Kanto area despite the heat
- People who love sweets
- Those seeking scenic locations
- People who want to relax in hot springs
What You’ll Get from This Article
By reading this article, you’ll get the following information:
- A model course for a day trip in Chiba Prefecture
- Fun spots in Chiba Prefecture
- Delicious sweet shops
- Sightseeing points
- Hot springs
Prerequisites
This model course assumes travel by rental car.
If you’re using other means of transportation, please adapt accordingly.
Notes
While this is described as a model course for couples,
it’s designed with the assumption of relaxing at hot springs,
so I think it’s not suitable for couples who have just started dating.
It’s more suitable for couples who are already comfortable with each other.
Now, let’s get to the main point.
Purpose of the Trip
The intentions behind planning this trip are as follows:
- Want to go out despite the heat
→ Drive with a rental car. Let’s go somewhere in Chiba Prefecture we’ve never been before. - Want to eat sweets
→ Found a nice cake shop, so let’s go there. - Want to visit water areas because it’s hot
→ There seems to be a large pond/lake near Sakura City, so let’s check it out. - Don’t want to go home sweaty
→ Let’s wash off the sweat at a hot spring before heading home.
Destinations and Time Schedule
Roughly speaking, this is a model course where you eat lunch and dessert, walk around Instagram-worthy spots,
and finally wash off your sweat at a hot spring, eat dinner, and head home.
A plan to fully enjoy Chiba’s sweets, Instagram-worthy spots, and hot springs
The route we took is as follows:
Google Map shared link is here
| 9:30 | Rent a car. |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Head to the Chiba-Chuo Station area. |
| 11:30 | Eat lunch and sweets at Sweets＆BAR Amour. |
| 14:00 | Drive around Lake Inba. |
| 15:00 | Enjoy the sunflower garden at Sakura Furusato Hiroba. |
| 16:30 | Enjoy bedrock baths and hot springs at Sakura Natural Hot Spring Sumire. |
| 19:00 | Eat dinner at the same hot spring facility. |
| 22:00 | Return the rental car. |
Detailed Schedule
Rent a Car
First, we rent a car that will be our travel companion.
Each reader will have different nearest stations from home.
Since I rented from Urayasu Station,
I’m estimating the travel time to each destination from Urayasu Station.
Eat Lunch and Sweets at Sweets＆BAR Amour
Sweets & BAR Amour is a cake shop about a 6-minute walk from Chiba-Chuo Station.
Although it’s a cake shop, they also have lunch menus, so you can eat lunch too.
I was hungry, so I ate a 150g ribeye steak.
I thought it might be a bit too luxurious for lunch… but I finished it anyway.
It was simply delicious.
They also seem to have special menus that change by day of the week, which are also recommended.
After finishing lunch, it was finally time for dessert!
I heard their cheesecake was delicious, so I ordered that,
plus a simple shortcake that I always want to order at cake shops,
and a seasonal peach tart – three desserts in total.
Starting with the cheesecake…
The perfect sweetness that wasn’t too cloying was really delicious.
Next, the shortcake…
The slightly firm texture of the whipped cream was irresistible.
It paired perfectly with the fruit and was delicious.
Finally, the peach tart…
They use an entire peach.
Is it okay to indulge this much…?
When I cut into the peach,
there was custard packed inside.
The custard, tart, and peach went perfectly together.
While enjoying the delicious custard and tart,
I thought I needed a bit more moisture… and that’s when the peach came to the rescue.
Despite having eaten steak, I finished all the sweets.
I was very satisfied.
By the way, this place turns into a BAR at night, and you can drink alcohol.
I heard it’s often visited for dessert after drinking parties.
You can be satisfied whether you visit for lunch, dinner, or late night.
Drive Around Lake Inba
After eating and feeling energized, it’s time for about an hour of driving.
Enjoying the scenery of bamboo groves and rice fields, we head toward the water.
Since it’s hot outside, I recommend driving along the perimeter of Lake Inba without getting out of the car.
The lake is bigger than I imagined and fun to look at.
Choosing a sunny day will increase your satisfaction.
I forgot to take a photo, so I’ll use a referenced image.
Enjoy the Sunflower Garden at Sakura Furusato Hiroba
Just a short drive from Lake Inba is Sakura Furusato Hiroba.
There are various tourist attractions to enjoy, as listed below:
- Windmill Sunflower Garden
(Depending on the season, there might be tulip fields or other flowers blooming) - Lake Inba Tour Boat
- Souvenir Shop
The large windmill is a distinctive feature.
In the sunflower garden, sunflowers are blooming as far as the eye can see.
You can also pick sunflowers starting from 100 yen per stem.
Taking home a sunflower as a memento of your trip could make a nice memory.
Since walking around can get hot,
I bought shaved ice at the souvenir shop.
They also sell soft-serve ice cream and other treats.
You can also take a tour boat around Lake Inba.
If you want to use it, be mindful of the times.
The last boat was at 15:00, so you need to come earlier.
Perhaps because it’s an Instagram-worthy spot,
I had the impression that there were many younger couples in their 20s.
I also saw cosplayers using the area for photo shoots.
Depending on the season, it might become a tulip field or change in other ways,
so you can enjoy visiting at any time of the year.
Enjoy Bedrock Baths and Hot Springs at Sakura Natural Hot Spring Sumire
After walking around the sunflower garden, you might be a bit sweaty.
So, let’s wash off the sweat at a hot spring.
About a 10-minute drive from Sakura Furusato Hiroba is Sakura Natural Hot Spring Sumire.
Images quoted from Nifty Onsen page
The excellent points of this hot spring are as follows:
Bedrock Baths (Can be used by men and women together)
Some people might avoid going to hot springs as a couple because they can’t be together and enjoy it.
At this hot spring, the bedrock baths can be used by both men and women, so there’s no such worry.
Manga Books Available
There are many manga books, making it ideal for relaxing.
In some bedrock bath areas, you can bring manga books or your mobile phone.
You can relax while sweating in the bedrock bath.
You could spend all day here just for this.
Spacious and Diverse Hot Springs
There are many types of hot springs, including jet baths, carbonated baths, lying-down baths, lukewarm baths, etc.
Unlike urban hot springs where people are crowded in small baths,
you can soak in the bath leisurely.
In particular, the lying-down bath has just the right amount of water so your body doesn’t get too cold,
making it possible for 3-4 friends to come and chat leisurely in the bath.
You Can Even Eat Meals
After the bath, when you’re feeling refreshed,
you can also eat dinner.
Honestly, you could spend an entire day just at this facility.
I ate the hokke (grilled Atka mackerel) set meal.
The hokke was large and satisfying.
Since I came by car, I drank a non-alcoholic cocktail to enjoy the atmosphere.
I think it’s rare to find a hot spring this well-equipped where you can relax and stay for a long time.
If there hadn’t been a return time for the rental car, I would have liked to stay until around 10 PM.
Having blown away all the daytime sweat, we leave the hot spring.
Return the Rental Car and Head Home
By the time you leave the hot spring, it will probably be around 8 PM.
Depending on whether you’re in a hurry or have time to spare, you can take the expressway or local roads,
then return the rental car and head home.
Good Points of the Model Course
It’s a One-Day Mini Trip Course That Can Be Enjoyed Even in Midsummer
Walking around the sunflower garden might make you sweaty,
but the bedrock bath + hot spring blows it all away.
You won’t have to return home in a sweaty car,
and you can go back with a refreshed feeling and a full stomach.
The Tourist Spots Around Lake Inba Were Lively
Sakura Furusato Hiroba had more tourists than I imagined,
and it was bustling.
Honestly, I chose to come here on a bit of a whim,
but I’m glad I came for sightseeing.
And the sunflower garden is simply beautiful.
The Hot Spring Was Better Than Expected
The facilities are more extensive than what you’d find in Tokyo.
Honestly, I thought it would be worth visiting just to spend a whole day soaking in this hot spring.
Points for Improvement in the Model Course
I Had Less Time Than Expected Until the Rental Car Return
Partly because I relaxed too much at the hot spring, I rushed to return the rental car.
If you prioritize fully enjoying the bedrock bath and hot spring,
you might want to start earlier in the morning or make it a two-day, one-night trip
to have more time.
Couldn’t Ride the Lake Inba Tour Boat
Since I visited Lake Inba on a whim, I didn’t even know there was a tour boat,
and I missed the last boat.
If you want to ride the tour boat,
it’s best to plan your visit to Lake Inba more carefully.
Summary
Thank you for reading this far.
In this article, I introduced a day trip model course where you can enjoy Chiba’s sweets and Instagram-worthy spots,
and end the day comfortably by washing off your sweat at a hot spring.
I usually have a strong desire to visit shops and places frequented by locals rather than famous tourist spots,
so based on my actual experiences, I hope your trips become more enjoyable.
If you have opinions or comments, please let me know.
Also, if you have information like "I traveled on this kind of course!",
I’d definitely like to use it as a reference!
https://gonkunblog.com/goto-sado/812
https://gonkunblog.com/travelfukuokaoita/498/
https://gonkunblog.com/travel-to-achimura/514/
https://gonkunblog.com/minitravel-tochiba/441/
If you have opinions or comments, please let me know.
