A Trip to Sawara, Chiba, Japan

During my remaining time in Japan, I had about 5 hours before my flight. Since the hotel required me to check out, I decided to head to the airport first, at least to leave my luggage in a coin locker.

I departed from my hotel in the Makuhari area and took a bus to Narita Airport. The journey was relatively short, and the weather was quite clear, with a temperature of around 7 degrees Celsius.

Upon arriving at Narita, I immediately searched for a locker, stored my belongings, and briefly browsed for recommendations on interesting places to visit. I chose Sawara, a beautiful and historic town with buildings preserved since the Edo period.

To reach Sawara, I needed to start from Narita Station. I took some time to explore the area around Narita, which was very pleasant—much warmer than Makuhari and far more vibrant, lively, and colorful.

From Narita Station, I boarded a local train, mingling with the locals, all of whom looked stylish in their warm clothing. Just a few stations later, I arrived in Sawara.

From Sawara Station, it was a short walk to the information center, where I could pick up a map. A friendly staff member was there to explain the routes to explore the area filled with well-preserved classical buildings.

Following the map, I discovered that Sawara is a truly beautiful area. There is a river with boats available for rent, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the scenery. However, the weather was too cold for my tropical skin, so I opted to explore on foot.

When I got hungry, I found plenty of dining options in Sawara. I wanted to try Unagi, as I had heard it was a local delicacy. I entered a small eatery run by an elderly owner, and with my limited Japanese, I ordered unagi and hot ocha. It was delicious!

After my meal, I continued my journey, this time deciding to navigate without looking at the map. I wandered around, following my instincts, and unexpectedly found myself outside the tourist area, lost in a local residential neighborhood. I kept walking until I stumbled upon a large temple.

Entering the temple, I felt a cool and serene atmosphere inside. It was peaceful. I later learned that this temple also serves as a cemetery complex.

Satisfied with my exploration of the temple, I made my way back to the station to return to Narita Airport. I found myself wishing I could return to this area; if I weren't in a hurry or if it were spring, I would definitely spend two or three days enjoying it to my heart's content. ❤️

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P.S: I felt a sense of pride when, upon returning to the airport, I checked my Suica card and discovered that I only had 6 yen left. Truly a testament to precise financial management! :)