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Kashiwa: A Hidden Gem of Chiba
Kashiwa, a city located in Chiba Prefecture, is a hidden gem that is worth exploring. Despite its proximity to Tokyo, Kashiwa offers a tranquil atmosphere and breath-taking views of nature. As a National Geographic Journalist, I had the pleasure of visiting the city and experiencing its unique charm. In this article, I will share my observations on Kashiwa’s scenery, what I like, and dislike about the city, the average cost of living per day, and recommendations for attractions, street food, hotels, and Airbnb listings.
Scenery of the City:
Kashiwa is a scenic city that boasts plenty of lush greenery and nature to explore. The city is famous for the Sakura no Yama Hill, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. Visitors can also check out the Kashiwanoha Park, dedicated to agriculture, and the Kashiwa Natural Cultural Park, the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of nature. The city also has a scenic river, the Edo, flowing through it, providing an ideal spot for fishing, boating, and more.
What I Like and Dislike:
The thing that I love about Kashiwa is the calmness and serenity it offers. Visitors can enjoy the tranquility of the city’s numerous parks and nature reserves, such as the Kashiwanoha Park, the Kashiwa Natural Cultural Park, and the famous cherry blossom Sakura no Yama Hill. However, one thing that can be a downside is the city’s limited public transportation options.
Average cost of living per day:
The average cost per day in Kashiwa is around $100 to $150 USD. This includes food, transportation, and entertainment costs.
Top 20 Points of Interest:
1. Sakura no Yama Hill – 12-8 Fujiwara, Kashiwa, Chiba
2. Kashiwa Natural Cultural Park – 1-2-2 Tahara, Kashiwa, Chiba
3. Kashiwanoha Park – 178-4 Wakashiba, Kashiwa, Chiba
4. Kashiwa Takashimaya – 1-1-1 Yonemoto, Kashiwa, Chiba
5. Lalaport Mall – 91 Wakashiba, Kashiwa, Chiba
6. Kashiwa-no-ha Campus Station – Kashiwa, Chiba
7. Edo River Cycling Road – Kashiwa, Chiba
8. The Kashiwa Civic Cultural Hall – 419 Kashiwanoha Park, Kashiwa, Chiba
9. Kashiwa Sports Park – 2-1 Takamatsu, Kashiwa, Chiba
10. Kashiwanoha Campus City – 178-4 Wakashiba, Kashiwa, Chiba
11. Hiura Park – Wakashiba, Kashiwa, Chiba
12. Otaka-no-Mori – Wakabayashi, Kashiwa, Chiba
13. China Temple – 1-35-3 Futawamukai, Kashiwa, Chiba
14. Shirako Hongo Coastline – Shirako, Chiba
15. Tsukuba Express – Kashiwa, Chiba
16. Kashiwa Shrine – 1-1-6 Saiwai, Kashiwa, Chiba
17. Nanbu Furusato-kan – 1-1-7 Nakacho, Kashiwa, Chiba
18. Yoshikawa Mitake Shrine – 193-1 Shimo-machi Yoshikawa, Saitama
19. Sogo Kashiwa – 1-1-2 Yonemoto, Kashiwa, Chiba
20. Michi-no-Eki Kashiwakura – 810-1 Kashiwakura, Kashiwa, Chiba
Top 20 Street Foods:
1. Sushi – $4-$7/roll
2. Okonomiyaki – $4-$6
3. Takoyaki – $3-$5
4. Yakitori – $3-$5 per skewer
5. Taiyaki – $2-$5
6. Ramen – $6-$10 per bowl
7. Takuan Pickles – $5-$10
8. Onigiri –$1-$3
9. Nikuman (Meat Bun) – $2-$5
10. Matcha Ice Cream – $3-$5 for a scoop
11. Dango (Rice cake on Stick) – $3-$5 per stick
12. Soba Noodles – $7-$10 per bowl
13. Udon Noodles – $7-$10 per bowl
14. Mochi – $1-$3
15. Gyoza – $4-$7
16.Kaki Fry (Fried Oyster) – $7-$10
17. Negi-Toro Don (Chopped Tuna and Green Onion Over Rice) – $8-$12
18. Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen Salad) – $8-$12
19. Kakigori (Shave ice) – $3 -$5
20. Cheese stick – $3-5 per stick.
Top 10 Hotels and Airbnb Listings:
Hotels:
1. Crowne Plaza ANA Narita – 68 Horinouchi, Narita, Chiba. Price range: $80-$200 USD. (4.5/5 rating on Yelp)
2. HOTEL LiVEMAX Kashiwanoha – 2-30-16 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba. Price range: $40-$80 USD. (4.3/5 rating on Yelp)
3. The Crest Hotel Kashiwa – 14-1 Suehiro-cho, Kashiwa, Chiba. Price range: $80-$150 USD. (4.2/5 rating on Yelp)
4. Sotetsu Fresa Inn Chiba Kashiwa – 11-6 Suehiro-cho, Kashiwa, Chiba. Price range : $50-$120. ( 4.0/5 rating on Yelp)
5. Toyoko Inn Tsukuba Express Kashiwa – 1-5-14, Kashiwa, Chiba. Price range: $50-80. (3.6/5 rating on Yelp)
Airbnb Listings:
1.Coco House – 2-1109 Nakagawa, Kashiwa, Chiba. Price range: $70/ night. (4.8/5 rating on Airbnb)
2. Woodwork Kashiwa – Kashiwa, Chiba. Price range: $80/ night. (4.6/5 rating on Airbnb)
3. Coco Palace – 3-29-11 Hiura, Kashiwa, Chiba. Price range: $100/night. (4.5/5 rating on Airbnb)
4. Nouvelle Woods Kashiwa – 1-7-23 Ko, Kashiwa, Chiba. Price range:$70/ night. (4.3/5 rating on Airbnb)
5. GuestHouse Kakkunji – 5-66-5 Minamikashiwa, Kashiwa, Chiba. Price range: $60/ night. (4.1/5 rating on Airbnb)
Top 5 Reasonable but Cost-Effective Hotels & Airbnb Listings:
1. HOTEL LiVEMAX Kashiwanoha: This hotel provides comfortable and clean rooms, and is located near transportation links, making it convenient for travelers who want to explore the city. It is considered the best bang for your buck.
2. Sotetsu Fresa Inn Chiba Kashiwa: This hotel provides efficient and clean rooms and is located near the city’s center, making it easy for travelers to get to tourist spots and restaurants.
3. Toyoko Inn Tsukuba Express Kashiwa: This hotel is praised for its accommodation quality and reasonable pricing, offering convenience with proximity to the famous Tsukuba Express station.
4. Coco House: This Airbnb house is perfect for a family, as it has enough space and beds to accommodate up to four people, and is located near transportation links and supermarkets to make travel and shopping more comfortable.
5. Nouvelle Woods Kashiwa: This Airbnb listing provides a comfortable and cozy accommodation with easy access to city shops and restaurants. It is highly praised for its excellent service, spacious rooms, and reasonable pricing.
Recommended 3 Days Trip:
Day 1:
– Sakura no Yama Hill
– Kashiwanoha Park
– Kashiwa Natural Cultural Park
– Lalaport Mall
– Dinner at Mizugakiya, a famous Izakaya restaurant.
Day 2:
– Kashiwa-no-ha Campus Station
– Hiura Park
– Otaka-no-Mori
– China Temple
– Dinner at Fujinobo-Kashiwa
Day 3:
– The Kashiwa Civic Cultural Hall
– Nanbu Furusato-kan
– Yoshikawa Mitake Shrine
– Michi-no-Eki Kashiwakura
– Dinner at Kuma Cafe
Conclusion:
In summary, Kashiwa is a charming city that has a lot to offer. Its scenery, including parks, rivers, and hills, provides visitors with a calming experience. The street food scene is also a big attraction with a broad range of savory dishes worth exploring. Additionally, the city provides many accommodation choices with excellent ratings and reputation, even at a lower pricing point. For those seeking an affordable and worthwhile itinerary, taking a 3-day trip as listed above can be an excellent starting point. Overall, I would give Kashiwa a nine out of ten stars, an excellent spot to visit for nature lovers and those who are interested in Japanese culture.
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