Damp Senbei Saves Vintage Electric Railway: Heartwarming Chiba Attractions Revealed

Versatile Tokyo is not only the most coveted Japanese travel destination for Taiwanese tourists, but many also visit it repeatedly. Beyond popular urban spots like Shinjuku, Ginza, and Asakusa, the Tokyo Disney Resort and the surrounding hot springs and suburban destinations extending from Tokyo into Chiba Prefecture are also hugely popular. The “Active Chiba Tourism & Food Sharing Event,” hosted by Chiba Prefecture, will take place this Sunday (Nov. 4). Visitors can sample three of Chiba’s famous local foods: damp senbei, loquat jelly, and sweets from the historic Narita Mountain confectionery shop “Sakaeya Wagashi.”

The “Active Chiba Tourism & Food Sharing Event” will be held this Sunday from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Bonjour Café Nanjing No. 1 (located at the intersection of Nanjing East Road and Jianguo North Road in Taipei). In addition to revealing fun and delicious tourist spots and food around Tokyo’s suburbs, the event will also feature university students who qualified as experience officers this summer and traveled to the area to share their travel diaries. There will also be exclusive insights into popular attractions such as the world-renowned Tokyo Disney Resort, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple—which attracts 13 million visitors for New Year’s prayers every year—and the Edo-style village of Fonchō, among others.

The much-anticipated tasting session will allow attendees to try Chiba’s famous damp senbei, loquat jelly, and sweets from “Sakaeya Wagashi.” Additionally, the recent “damp senbei + Chōshi Electric Railway” trend that has taken Japan by storm originates in Chiba Prefecture. Damp senbei, which is grilled senbei dipped in soy sauce, has a unique texture. Paired with the heartwarming story of saving an antique railway from being scrapped, it tastes even better.

Surrounded by sea on three sides, Chiba Prefecture enjoys a relatively warm climate year-round, with numerous hot springs and abundant seafood. It has long been a top choice for Tokyo residents seeking weekend getaways. Families can opt for the “Tokyo Disney Resort,” just a 15-minute train ride from Tokyo Station, or the “Mother Farm,” which boasts vast fields of flowers and animals. The Edo-style “Fonchō Village” and “Sawara Water Town” are also highly recommended attractions.

● Read more: Stray Cats as Stationmasters: The Cat Train That Turned Around a Railway’s Fortunes

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