Chōshi, Coastal port city in Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Chōshi is a coastal town at the northeast tip of Chiba Prefecture, where the Tone flows into the Pacific Ocean and fishing harbor and residential neighborhoods spread along the shoreline. The area combines low-lying sections near the river mouth with higher ground above the sea, extending for several kilometers along the water.
The settlement grew into a major fishing port during the Tokugawa period and officially gained city status on February 11, 1933. Its location at the mouth of a large river made it a natural trading point between inland shipping and Pacific fishing fleets.
The local breweries throughout town offer tours showing the traditional soy sauce making process, a craft practiced here since the early 17th century. The scent of fermenting beans drifts through several streets and reminds visitors of the centuries-old connection between the community and this staple condiment.
The best starting point is Chōshi station, from where a small railway line reaches different spots along the coast, including the lighthouse and several viewing points overlooking the sea. The trains run multiple times each day and move slowly, allowing passengers to take in the scenery along the way.
The steep cliffs along the southern shore consist of layered sedimentary bands that formed over millions of years and are now eroding from wave action. Fossilized remains become visible at low tide in some sections, offering clues about the history of the rock layers.
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