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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Choshi
銚子
One day covers Inubōsaki Lighthouse, Port Tower, and a ride on the Choshi Electric Railway; arrive by Shiosai train (≈1 h 40 min, ¥3,500).
Choshi is a small coastal city in Chiba Prefecture, known for its fishing port, lighthouse, and the quirky Choshi Electric Railway. A single day lets you see the main sights and sample fresh seafood, while longer stays are only needed for deeper exploration of surrounding beaches.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 銚子
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov (check)
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, humid)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · High ¥12,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bicycle rental (all day) | ¥735 |
| Inubōsaki Lighthouse entry | ¥300 (children free) |
| Port Tower observation deck | ¥420 adult, ¥360 senior, ¥200 student |
| Choshi Electric Railway day pass | ¥700 |
| Nure senbei (pack) | ¥300–¥500 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NRT · Narita International Airport
- ≈1 h 15 min by limited express Shiosai (¥2,210) or bus (¥2,210, 2 h 20 min).
- HND · Haneda Airport
- ≈1 h 30 min by limited express Shiosai (¥2,500) or bus (≈2 h).
Typical fares
- Shiosai train Tokyo → Choshi (unreserved)
- ¥3,510, about 1 h 40 min (check)
- Choshi Electric Railway day pass
- ¥700
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
JR Sōbu Main Line to Choshi Station, then Choshi Electric Railway (hourly, ¥180–¥350, day pass ¥700). Bicycle rental ¥735 all day. Free parking at Inubō and Tokawa stations.
See and do
Known for
- Inubōsaki Lighthouse
- Choshi Port Tower
- Choshi Electric Railway
- Nure senbei rice crackers
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Narita | Shiosai limited express or local JR trains via Narutō, about 1 h 15 min | About 1.5 h |
| Katori | JR Narita Line from Choshi, about 40 min | About 1 h |
| Asahi | JR Sōbu Main Line, about 20 min | About 30 min |
Sleep
- Aeon Mall Choshi area
- Convenient for shops, restaurants and easy access to the port; suitable for a night if needed.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Last Shiosai train leaves Choshi at 18:40 and terminates in Shinjuku; missing it requires local transfers.
- Suica and PASMO cards are not accepted on the Choshi Electric Railway; buy tickets on site.
- Port Tower hours vary by season; check before visiting.
Low‑crime town; keep usual vigilance, especially at night near the port.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Choshi yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Inubōsaki Lighthouse
- Choshi Port Tower
- Choshi Electric Railway
- Nure senbei rice crackers
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Choshi City Tourism Association: www.choshikanko.com/
- Wikidata – Choshi: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Choshi, revision 5123830 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5123830
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/choshi). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.