Urayasu: maritime culture and historic houses

Urayasu brings together maritime culture, historic houses, shrines, and a traditional coffee shop. When planning your trip, you can focus on local history, the Urayasu Sanja Festival, or continuing your journey by train and road. This way, you can tailor your search for a hotel in Urayasu to what you would like to do during your stay.

Maritime history and craftsmanship

The 郷土博物館 (Urayasu Folk Museum) focuses on the city’s historical relationship with the sea: its outdoor exhibition recreates the period when people lived alongside the sea. A boat exhibition displays the “浦安の船大工道具” (boatbuilding tools from Urayasu), which are designated as a tangible cultural property of Chiba Prefecture. Visitors can take part in woodworking and similar activities in the workshop area.

Historic houses and architecture

The 旧宇田川家住宅 (Old Udagawa House) was built in 1869 and is the oldest house in Urayasu for which the construction year is clearly known. It offers a glimpse of the form of a suburban Edo-period townhouse from the end of the Edo period through the Meiji period and has been open to the public since 1984. The 旧大塚家住宅 (Old Otsuka House) dates from a different period: it is believed to have been built at the end of the Edo period. This thatched-roof house is considered a typical remnant of a fishing household and was designated a cultural property of Chiba Prefecture in 2002. The building known as “旧医院” (Old Clinic) offers a later point of reference: built in 1929, it is considered the oldest Western-style building in Urayasu.

Shrines and festivals

The 豊受神社 (Toyouke Shrine) is said to have been founded in 1157 and is considered the oldest shrine in Urayasu. On its grounds stands a sacred ginkgo tree about 300 years old, which the City of Urayasu has designated a natural monument. This site thus brings together a traditional account of its founding and a designated natural monument.

The Urayasu Sanja Festival takes place every four years. During the festival, the mikoshi of the 清龍神社 (Seiryū Shrine), 豊受神社 (Toyouke Shrine), and 稲荷神社 (Inari Shrine) follow designated routes. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the date and program in advance. A traditional group yakatabune boat experience has been established as a regular service for groups of at least two people. As the dates are seasonal, you should check the relevant dates before your trip as well.

Transport and choosing a hotel

Urayasu is served by the Tokyo Metro Tōzai Line, the JR Keiyō Line, and the Shuto Expressway. The rail lines and expressway provide access to central Tokyo and other areas. If you are planning to continue your journey from there, check the current routes and conditions for your specific trip. This complements planning a stay focused on the historic sites or the festival.

A long-established coffee shop

The traditional coffee shop 喫茶さくら (Kissa Sakura) was established in 1979 and is about a one-minute walk from Urayasu Station. Classic coffee shop food and drinks include coffee, sandwiches, cake, ice cream, and parfaits filled with ice cream. The menu also features “Double Cream Soda,” with two kinds of soda in one glass. Opening information and menu offerings may change; check them before planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Narashino, Sakura, Mobara, Shibayama, Isumi, Yokoshibahikari, Nagareyama, Chiba.

Back to the main travel overview: Chiba Prefecture.