[TRAVEL] Top 8 Things to Do in Boso-no-Mura Open-Air Museum, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

Konnichiwa from Chiba Prefecture Open-Air Museum, Boso-no-Mura! ❤

I must admit that something magical in Japan that keeps me coming back is the strong cultural footprint from the Edo Period which I'd love to discover more. And during this Chiba trip, I found it in Boso-no-Mura.

Unlike all the museums I've been, the entire village of Boso-no-Mura is an open-air 'museum' specially built to tell the tale of Japanese history, culture and heritage. With fleets of shophouses in traditional Edo architecture, interesting paraphernalias from prehistoric times, and a beautiful natural surrounding with vast lands for farming, this is probably the largest museum I've ever been. How amazing!

Boso-no-Mura (房総のむら)

Chiba Prefecture Open-Air Museum 

1028 Ryukakuji, Sakae Town, 

Imba County, Chiba Prefecture 270-1506.

Tel: 0476-95-3333

Fax: 0476-95-3330

Email: mura@chiba-muse.or.jp

Website: www.chiba-muse.or.jp/MURA

Opening hours: 9am - 4.30pm, Tuesday - Sunday

(*subject to change for special events)

Parking lot: Free of charge
Recommended time spent: 3-4 hours

Entrance fee:
300 yen per adult (20 pax or more: 240 yen per adult)
High school and college students: 150 yen

*Free entry for junior high school students and younger, seniors 65 years of age and older, and disabled visitors and one accompanying caregiver.

How to get there:

❤1. From Nishiguchi, JR Narita Station
Take the Chiba Kotsu bus “Ryukakujidai Shako" from Narita Station (JR Narita Line) West Exit to the Ryukakujidai 2-chome bus stop (20 minutes), then walk for 10 minutes from there.

❤2. From JR Ajiki Station
Take the Chiba Kotsu bus “Ryukakujidai Shako”from Ajiki Station (JR Narita Line) to the Boso-no-Mura bus stop (10 minutes), then walk for 3 minutes from there.

❤3. From Narita International Airport
25 minutes drive by car

In Boso-no-Mura complex, there are so many activities that you probably can't find elsewhere!

Here are among the top 8 things you can do in Boso-no-Mura:

1. Rent a Kimono

For a complete experience, I'd strongly recommend you to explore the village in a traditional kimono / samurai outfit. You can rent according to your style at Cosplay no Yakata, located right next to Boso-no-Mura.

Cosplay no Yakata

Call: 0476-85-8155

Rentals are available from 10am to 3pm

(latest time to return: 4pm) 

Adult rental fee: From 2,000 yen onwards (for 3 hours) 

Kids rental fee: From 1,000 yen to 2,000 yen (for 3 hours)

As I prefer something more elaborated and elegant, I choose the "Samurai's Daughter" kimono (Rental fee: 5,000 yen for 3 hours) in red and gold silks, one of the most popular items from the premium range. Perfect for photoshooting!

2. Enjoy the architectural charms in the village

The Boso-no-Mura complex features the “Fudoki-no-Oka Area”, where you can learn about Japanese history from the exhibited archaeological artifacts.

Whereas “Furusato-no-Waza Arts and Crafts Area” features the reproduction of the houses of farmers and merchants from late Edo Period to the beginning of Meiji Period. Believe it or not, walking around here is already a unique experience on its own.

3. Learn about Japanese tea ceremony

Let's do it the traditional Japanese way! As it is my first time learning the proper etiquette of preparing and drinking matcha (powdered green tea), I find it pretty interesting and the whole process, although only 15-20 minutes long, is very detailed. Highly recommended for first timers.

4. Chiyogami Rosoku

It means “decorating a conical candle with patterned paper”. Interestingly, there is a shop which teaches how to DIY your own design on cone-shaped candles, subject to small charges. Get your creativity juice flowing!

5. Painting with papier-mâché

Another popular activity there is to create your own artistic papier-mâché masterpiece, be it a mask or an animal decorative sculpture. Alternatively, there are plenty of ready-made options for you to bring home as souvenir!

6. Bake your own Senbei rice crackers

Ever get hooked on rice crackers? How about baking your own rice crackers over a charcoal fire, then adding flavours to them with soy sauce? Yes, you can DIY them here too. Unfortunately, it is not available during my visit, otherwise I am sure it'd be a good experience.

7. Experience rice harvesting and crop cultivation

(Image source: HERE)

Boso-no-Mura is not just a 'museum', but also a farm! I don't mind getting my hands dirty to experience the process of rice planting, harvesting and threshing. During certain seasons, you can even harvest crops such as the local specialty peanuts and sweet potatoes here!

8. Enjoy a meal in the farm

After the hour-long series of activities, remember to complete the visit with a good meal. Most of us order the Executive Set Lunch which comes in a rice bento set or cold soba set. Fresh, well-portioned and beautifully flavoured. Love it!

Verdict:

If you wanna experience the traditional lifestyle from prehistoric times and learn about the evolution in terms of clothing, food, architecture and handcrafts over the ages, Boso-no-Mura is a great place to immerse into Japanese culture and history.