Nice to meet you! This is the Tateyama City Tourism Association. Tateyama City sits at the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula, blessed with rich nature and a mild climate. On the Cool Japan Video account, we share plenty of information on Tateyama’s attractive sightseeing spots and recommendations. Please follow us! With a population of about 43,000, Tateyama enjoys a mild annual average temperature of 16°C. The city’s west faces the southern end of Tokyo Bay, and its south faces the Pacific Ocean (Sotobo), offering marine sports like scuba diving and seaside bathing. Prefectural Tateyama Wild Bird Forest in the city is selected as one of the 100 best forests for forest bathing, and areas near Hirasunaura Beach are chosen for the 100 best white sand and green pine trees and Japan’s 100 Best Roads. ■ Seven recommended sightseeing spots in Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture! [ Tateyama Castle and Shiroyama Park ] This park was created by restoring the former castle grounds of the Satomi Clan, a Sengoku-period feudal family in the Boso region. At the top of Shiroyama Park stands Tateyama Castle (Hakkenden Museum), which exhibits materials related to Eight Dogs of Satomi. Seasonal flowers such as plum, camellia, cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom throughout the park. [ Minato Oasis Nagisa no Eki Tateyama ] The site includes Umi no Marche Tateyama, where you can buy fresh seafood and local specialties, a large aquarium, the Seaside Plaza and an observation deck—facilities enjoyable for children and adults alike. [ Awa Shrine ] Awa Shrine, the ichinomiya of Awa Province, has a sacred tree over 500 years old, and the sea-eroded cave ruins on its grounds are designated as a prefectural historic site. In spring, the Somei Yoshino cherry trees form a “cherry blossom tunnel” that welcomes hanami visitors. [ Daifukuji Temple (Gake Kannon) ] Called “Gake Kannon” because a Kannon hall stands on the cliffside midway up MtFunagata. A 1.5-meter-tall Kannon statue is designated as a tangible cultural property of Tateyama City. [ Sumisaki Lighthouse ] An observation platform near the lighthouse offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. On clear days you can see Mount Fuji. [ Boso Flower Line – Rapeseed Blossoms ] The roughly 46-km Boso Flower Line along the coast features rapeseed flowers and marigolds, offering seasonal scenery year-round. The approximately 6-km stretch from Ito to Aihama is also selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Roads. ■ Tateyama City events and festivals [ Yawatanmachi ] In 2004, Awa Yawatanmachi was designated a Chiba Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property. As the largest festival in the Awa region in southeastern Chiba Prefecture, floats and portable shrines parade through Tateyama’s streets. [ Tateyama Kanko Festival Tateyama Bay Fireworks Display ] Every August about 10,000 fireworks are launched near Hojo Beach. Underwater fireworks and massive star mines light up Tateyama’s summer night sky. ■ Local specialties of Tateyama City [ Boshu Fans ] Boshu Fans, one of Japan’s three major uchiwa alongside Kyo-uchiwa from Kyoto and Marugame Fans from Shikoku, were designated a traditional craft by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2003—the first such designation in Chiba Prefecture. This tradition, passed down since the Meiji era, continues to the present day. ■ Enjoy sightseeing in Tateyama City The rapeseed fields stretching along Tateyama’s beautiful coastline, the tranquil atmosphere of historic shrines and temples, and local specialties together keep captivating visitors. The scenery changes with each season, so you can discover new delights and moving moments any time of year. Cool Japan Video brings you recommended information about Tateyama City—please look forward to it!