Hi everyone, we are from Chiba Train Depot (千葉運輸区 Chiba unyuku) from JR East. Thank you for voting for us in the Let’s vote! 7 virtual tours led by JR East’s train crew campaign. Even though we were not selected to host a virtual tour this year, we hope to introduce our area by means of this article!
Chiba Train Depot is responsible for the main railways around Chiba Prefecture (千葉県). As one of the largest train depots within the JR East Chiba Branch Office, we have over 300 employees including administrators, drivers, and conductors at our workplace.
The crew that was going to bring you on this tour are actually on duty for the Joyful Train, B.B.BASE, which we have featured previously in our teaser clip. When you come to take our trains, we will definitely bring you to your destination safely.
Now, we would like to show you the B.B.BASE running around Chiba and Katsuura City (勝浦市), where our favourite town is. Let’s go!
Katsuura City
To Katsuura, it takes about 90 minutes by the Limited Express Wakashio train from Tokyo Station (東京駅). It is a peaceful town between the beautiful sea and mountains. The morning market, which is about a 10-minute walk from Katsuura Station (勝浦駅), has a long history of 430 years. Fresh vegetables, fish, freshly brewed coffee, handmade vans, and miscellaneous goods are on display.
How about Katsuura Tantanmen (坦々麺) for lunch? Often eaten by fishermen and women divers called Ama-san (海女) to warm their bodies after working at sea, Katsuura Tantanmen quickly became a popular local food. It typically features plenty of onions and minced meat as toppings, but the taste differs greatly from each shop! When you have the time, do try out a few to find your favourite shop.
When it gets dark, lanterns are lit at Tomisaki Shrine (遠見岬神社), which is near the morning market. During the Katsuura Big Hinamatsuri Festival (かつうらビッグひな祭り), as many as 1,800 hina dolls are lined up on the stairs of Tomisaki Shrine. At the top of the stairs is a spectacular spot with a panoramic view of Katsura City and the gorgeous sea.
B.B.BASE
B.B.BASE, which stands for Boso Bicycle Base, is one of JR East’s Joyful Trains. It’s a rare train which allows you to travel with your bicycle around Chiba in a cool way.
It is designed to be elegant, stylish, and comfortable for cyclists. It has bicycle racks behind all seats to mount your bicycle without the need to fold it. This is truly a unique feature not seen in any other trains in Japan.
There is a free space in car No.4 to hold some events and be used for a place where cyclists can freely interact with each other. Accompanying you on your trip are our friendly staff known as B.B.Crew. So, we promise that it will definitely be a pleasant ride for you!
Cycling
The seaside of Katsuura has a gentle landscape and the cycling paths are well-maintained. Cycling while feeling the sea breeze surrounding you is great! If you do not have your own bicycle, rental bicycles are also available.
As you ride along on a bicycle, you’ll find many spots that will excite you—you should see the sea peeking through the railroad crossing, the torii gate by the beach, a hand-dug tunnel, and an unexpected shrine in your journey.
There’s much to see and experience depending on the season and time of the day. Even though it is your first time here, you may feel a sense of nostalgia. We hope that you will enjoy it as much as we do.
SUP
You may be familiar with Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding, how about experiencing it in the beautiful sea of Katsuura? The crystal clear emerald sea and wonderful scenery may remind you of the sparkling seas of the Maldives.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try SUP Yoga for exercise, or even SUP Fishing. SUP is a great way to refresh your body and soul, and we hope you’ll have a great time!
Archery
You can experience a variety of martial arts in Japan. In Katsuura, you can try kyudo (弓道 archery)! Kyudo is one of the Japanese traditional martial arts that uses a bow and arrow to shoot a target.
When you actually draw the bow, it may be heavier than you think. In order to hit the target accurately, you’ll need to practice. In other words, kyudo is a type of training to face oneself.
Closing
Are you interested in visiting Katsuura someday? When that time comes, we are sure to welcome you onboard the B.B.Base! We’re confident that you will discover something new and that it will be a wonderful trip in any season.
We are looking forward to seeing you someday.
Header image credit: JR East Chiba Branch Office
Writer’s profile: We are from Chiba Train Depot, and this team consists of 13 young and passionate members. We love Katsuura, learning English, and being curious!
