10 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Sodegaura – The Perfect Family Leisure Destination!

Sodegaura City in Chiba Prefecture is nestled between Ichihara and Kisarazu. You may have seen vehicles with “Sodegaura” plates, but if you’ve ever wondered what Sodegaura has to offer, here’s the answer! Sodegaura boasts plenty of attractions that you’ll want to visit for a day of fun. Bring your family along for a day of leisure.

It’s also a great destination for a drive with friends or a romantic outing. Without further ado, here are 10 tourist attractions in Sodegaura that you might want to explore on your next holiday.

1. Tokyo German Village

When it comes to attractions that represent Sodegaura, Tokyo German Village is a must-see. This destination makes you wonder whether you’re in Tokyo, Chiba, or Germany! Located less than an hour’s drive from Haneda Airport, it gives you the feel of being in a foreign land with ease.

As its name suggests, Tokyo German Village is a leisure facility themed around Germany. The European-style buildings, expansive lawns, and beautiful seasonal flowers transform the park into a German paradise. Enjoy rides on the Ferris wheel or try out the grassy slopes, and challenge your family to a game of mini-golf.

Don’t miss the unforgettable barbecue experience at one of the restaurants, where you can savor German specialties like beer and sausages indoors.

♦ If you visit during winter, the illumination display is a must-see!

Tokyo German Village hosts a dazzling illumination display in winter! So many tourists flock here to witness the stunning light show, which is recognized as one of the three major illuminations in the Kanto region. The fairytale-like buildings and flower fields are brilliantly lit up, creating an even more enchanting atmosphere. If you're touring Sodegaura in winter, make sure to visit Tokyo German Village.

2. Sodegaura Seaside Park

Facing Tokyo Bay, Sodegaura Seaside Park is a coastal park where you can picnic on the lawn while enjoying the sea breeze. It also features an athletic course and a cycling path, perfect for outdoor activities.

The park is also famous for hosting rock festivals every year, organized by the Chiba-based band “Kishidan.” In summer, the park comes alive with music!

3. Ostrich Kingdom Sodegaura Farm

Ostrich Kingdom Sodegaura Farm is an attraction where ostriches take center stage. On this expansive farm, adorable ostriches roam freely and are very accustomed to humans, so they’ll approach you when you offer food.

But ostriches aren’t the only stars—alpacas and goats also make appearances, offering plenty of fun sights. You can even enter the alpaca enclosure and pet their soft fur.

A unique highlight is the ostrich meat barbecue; taste the lean, low-calorie ostrich meat for a culinary adventure. You can also try scrambled ostrich eggs—these giant eggs are truly a sight to behold!

4. Kazusa Nature School

Located in one of the more nature-rich areas of Sodegaura, Kazusa Nature School is run by a Zen temple called Shinkōji, which is involved in nature conservation activities.
This school offers events where you can experience life in a satoyama (rural landscape), which is increasingly recognized for its cultural value. These events are open to everyone, making them a great educational and fun experience for children as part of a school project or just a different kind of learning experience.

5. Domoki Park

Domoki Park is a sports-friendly attraction. Originally created on the riverbed of the Kobiki River, the park features not only a simple lawn but also multipurpose fields for sports like baseball and ground golf, as well as tennis courts. On a fine day, families gather here to enjoy outdoor activities. There’s even an athletic playground with a giant slide that’s sure to delight young children!

Another highlight of Domoki Park is its pool—open during the summer with a slide and fountain features, it’s perfect for making summer memories.

6. Sotto Shrine

Located near Sodegaura Station in the Kanou area, Sotto Shrine is an ancient shrine. Legend has it that this shrine was built by the people of Sodegaura to honor the queen from the ancient Makata Kingdom in India who escaped to Japan during the Nara period.

Every October, Sotto Shrine hosts a lion dance performance called “Shishikagura,” a tradition that dates back to the Edo period. Watching the sword dance and bell dance provides a wonderful opportunity to learn about Sodegaura’s long-held cultural traditions.

7. Mori no Makiba Auto Campground

Mori no Makiba Auto Campground is a spacious campground with a wide lawn perfect for free camping. Bring a ball or frisbee and enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. There’s even a designated area for a dog run so you can let your pet run free.

For overnight stays, check-in is available from 10:00 to 16:00, with check-out by 17:00 the following day, giving you plenty of time to relax. In the summer, you can enjoy river play and blueberry picking.

8. Akitomi Shrine

Akitomi Shrine was built during the reign of Emperor Suishin, the second emperor of Japan, and is mentioned in Heian period historical records. It has long been a site of local worship in Sodegaura. The current shrine building was constructed in the early Edo period, featuring a Gongen-style structure with the main hall and worship hall connected.

One of the traditional New Year’s ceremonies at Akitomi Shrine is called “Tsutsugayu.” During this event, a tube made of reed is placed into rice porridge, and the amount of porridge inside the tube is used to predict the harvest for the coming year. This ceremony is recognized as an intangible folk cultural property of Chiba Prefecture, reflecting the region’s agricultural heritage.

9. Sodegaura Park

Sodegaura Park, known for its large pond, is famous for its beautiful scenery with flowers and greenery along the water’s edge. In the park, you can enjoy seasonal blooms like plums, rapeseed flowers, cherry blossoms, and iris.

Moreover, the park also has cultural attractions! Visit the local museum or an Edo-period daikan residence to learn about Sodegaura’s history and culture. In the “Manyo no Sato” area, you can even see the flowers and traditional homes featured in the Manyoshu. This is a place where you can enjoy nature and culture at the same time—truly a win-win experience.

10. Strawberry Picking

Sodegaura is home to many farms where you can experience strawberry picking, a popular activity during the peak of the spring holiday season. It’s a quintessential event for day trips!

♦ Ishibashi Farm

Located near Domoki Park and only about 3 minutes by car from Kisarazu East IC, Ishibashi Farm is a popular destination for strawberry picking. The variety grown here is “Akihime,” known for its large size and intense sweetness.

The strawberries at Ishibashi Farm are cultivated using IPM (Integrated Pest Management) techniques, which minimize pesticide use—ensuring that the strawberries you eat are safe.

◆ Sacchan Family’s Happy Strawberries Farm

At Sacchan Family’s Happy Strawberries Farm, the strawberries are said to be nurtured to the tune of country music. Enjoy eating these hip strawberries, and take advantage of the direct sales where you can purchase high-quality, affordable strawberries as souvenirs from Sodegaura. They are grown using low-pesticide methods employing natural predatory insects, making them safe even for young children.

◆ Gaular Berry Kaneko Farm

Near the Tokyo Bay Country Club, Gaular Berry Kaneko Farm offers you a chance to enjoy delicious strawberries to your heart’s content. Like many Sodegaura strawberry farms, they use elevated growing systems, so you can pick strawberries without bending over. Plus, they use hydroponic methods, keeping your feet clean as you enjoy strawberry picking! They also sell handmade crafts like sandals and hats, adding a touch of artisanal charm.

◎ Summary

How about it? Do you feel like spending a fun day out in Sodegaura? Beyond Tokyo German Village, Sodegaura offers numerous attractions for families and friends to enjoy. With quick access via the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line, Sodegaura is a highly recommended sightseeing area.

Make your next holiday a Sodegaura adventure—not only to see its famous spots but also to taste local specialties like “White Gaula Ramen,” made with Sodegaura milk.

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10 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Sodegaura – The Perfect Family Leisure Destination!