Chiba with Kids — What to Do and Where to Stay
Last Updated on July 14, 2024 by Kay
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Tokyo’s neighbor to the east, Chiba is underrated (in my opinion). There are a ton of things to do with kids, which is why this was where we took our daughter almost every weekend to explore back when we lived in the Kanto region.
In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite kid-friendly spots in Chiba that I would recommend to any parent.
Table of Contents
What to Do in Chiba with Kids
Boso-no-Mura
Boso-no-mura is an area that replicates a traditional Japanese village from the past. It’s fun to just walk around and take in the atmosphere, and there are also lots of activities for kids to do.
Kids can make and decorate pottery (we had our then-two-year-old paint some clay plates, which were then mailed to our home in Japan), make washi paper, and decorate traditional masks. I also love the old houses, which my daughter enjoyed walking inside and exploring.
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Chiba Museum of Science and Industry
The Chiba Museum of Science and Industry is a fun place for kids to learn, and it’s only one stop outside of Tokyo on the Shinjuku Line.
I took my daughter here when she was around two and to my surprise, she had a great time! There are lots for kids to see and do to experience science, especially in the Experimental Plaza. They have a planetarium (Science Dome) as well but it was closed when we visited.
This museum is conveniently located next to a mall that has the Chiba location of Pure Heart Kids Land, which might make it worth the trip.
☔️ Recommended rainy day activity with kids in Chiba
Funabashi Andersen Park
Funabashi Andersen Park, a beautiful park in Funabashi, Chiba, is meant to be a mini-replica of Odense, Denmark, which is the hometown of Hans Christian. Complete with little child-sized houses, an actual windmill, many gardens with various kinds of flowers, as well as small rivers and ponds, it makes a perfect location for little ones to explore.
Chiba Zoological Park
I’m going to admit that I am not a fan of zoos, but I figured I should take my daughter to at least one.
I found that Chiba Zoological Park was one of the better zoos I’ve experienced. It’s very spacious so animals like cheetahs and lions have more room than I’ve seen at other zoos. There is also an aquatic area with a sea lion, which my daughter really enjoyed.
Kamogawa Sea World
Located in the southeastern part of Chiba Prefecture, Kamogawa Sea World is an aquatic park where your child can see all sorts of marine animals such as killer whales, belugas, sea lions, dolphins, sea turtles, and penguins.
While you’re there, make sure to check out Maebara Beach, which is said to be one of the nicest in the Kanto region (and I indeed found it gorgeous when I went).
Mother Farm
Near Kamogawa SeaWorld, Mother Farm is a great place to take kids for a variety of activities, such as interacting with farm animals, horseback riding, taking in fields of seasonal flowers, fruit picking, and going on rides.
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea
Despite what the name implies, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are both in Chiba!
It’s undeniable that kids will have fun here, although I feel like children under the age of three might not enjoy it as much (there was a huge difference in my daughter’s reaction when she went at age two versus three).
Check out my articles on Tokyo Disneyland as well as Tokyo DisneySea to read about my experience with my child!
Where to Stay in Chiba with Kids
If you decide to stay overnight in Chiba with your family, here are some places that I recommend considering.
(If you want to stay near Tokyo Disney, read this article.)
Kamogawakan ・鴨川館 (Kamogawa)
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Near Mother Farm and Kamogawa Sea World, this ryokan offers beautiful ocean views and several hot spring baths that you can relax in after a long day of sightseeing. Some rooms also have their own private onsen.
This ryokan also has a Family Plan for those with babies, which includes free diapers, extra towels, baby soap, and free use of a private onsen bath for 45 minutes, which is amazing!
THE FARM
If you want to experience glamping in Japan, consider staying at THE FARM. There are rooms with their own open-air baths and a buffet breakfast is included.
There are also lots of activities for kids to do, such as ziplining, canoeing, farming, horseriding, and interacting with farm animals.
To get there by public transport, you need to take an express bus from Tokyo Station to Kurimoto bus stop and then take a shuttle to THE FARM.
Senri no Kaze (Tateyama)
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This family-friendly ryokan includes free breakfast and kaiseki dinner depending on the plan. Kids can enjoy kids’ meals.
They offer rooms with ocean views or garden views, and some have a private open-air onsen as well.
The grand (shared) onsen overlooks the ocean and in summer, they have a pool.
Wrap-up: Chiba with Kids
I hope this look at what to do and where to stay in Chiba Prefecture with kids has been helpful to you. There is a lot to see and explore in this prefecture for the entire family, so I highly recommend giving it a visit.