12 Recommended Sightseeing Spots Around Noda, the Town of Soy Sauce, and Sekiyado, the Castle Town at the Northern Tip of Chiba Prefecture!

Located at the northwestern tip of Chiba Prefecture, Noda City is surrounded by the Tone River, Edo River, and the Tone Canal. In the past, it thrived as a key hub for waterway transportation, but today, the Tobu Noda Line connecting Funabashi in Chiba and Omiya in Saitama serves as its main artery.

When it comes to Noda’s industry, soy sauce brewing stands above all else! Kikkoman, which originated from Noda Shoyu Co., Ltd., is now recognized as a global brand. Noda’s soy sauce industry flourished during the Edo period, and even today, there are numerous historical tourist attractions related to the brewers of that time.

Also, at the northernmost part of the city lies Sekiyado, an important strategic location in the Kanto region where Sekiyado Castle once stood. From the lineage of the Sekiyado domain’s samurai came Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki.

Let the fragrant aroma of soy sauce invite you on a casual sightseeing trip around Noda. Here are 12 recommended tourist spots to explore!

1. Kikkoman Soy Sauce Museum

When talking about Noda City, famous for its soy sauce, the company that immediately comes to mind is “Kikkoman”! Kikkoman originated from Noda Shoyu Co., Ltd., which was established through a joint investment by eight brewing families in Noda. Today, the Kikkoman logo featuring the "hexagon with the character for 'ten thousand'" is a globally recognized trademark.

Located inside Kikkoman’s Noda factory is the "Kikkoman Soy Sauce Museum". This is a tourist facility where you can learn everything about soy sauce, including its history and how it is made. Visitors can also tour the factory to see the production process up close. It's not just a great educational trip for kids but also an informative experience for adults. After the tour, you’ll receive a souvenir, and you can also purchase original goods available only at the Noda factory.

Since soy sauce is synonymous with Noda City, the fact that the museum is conveniently located right in front of Noda City Station on the Tobu Noda Line makes it perfect for sightseeing.

2. Megmilk Snow Brand Noda Factory

Noda’s food industry isn’t just about soy sauce brewing! At the "Megmilk Snow Brand Noda Factory" in the southern part of Noda City, they produce familiar dairy products such as "Megmilk", one of Snow Brand's main products, as well as "Mainichi Honebuto" (Bone Strength Milk) and various yogurts. Many families likely enjoy these products daily.

Have you ever wondered how those dairy products you see every day are made? At the Megmilk Snow Brand Noda Factory, you can take a tour and watch how milk, juice, yogurt, and more are produced. Guides will explain in detail about the control rooms, where large robots work tirelessly, and the sterilization process that is essential to dairy product manufacturing. It’s a perfect sightseeing spot to visit with children!

Note that factory tours are by reservation only and you must apply at least 7 days in advance, so be sure to plan ahead.

3. Birthplace of Noda Soy Sauce

The history of soy sauce in Noda is said to have begun during the Eiroku era of the Sengoku period (1558–1570), when Ichirobei Iida succeeded in brewing tamari soy sauce. It’s believed that soy sauce production flourished in Noda because soybeans, the primary ingredient, could be easily procured from the neighboring Hitachi Province.

At the site of the Iida family’s former brewery now stands a monument marking the “Birthplace of Noda Soy Sauce.” It’s considered one of Noda’s historical landmarks that signifies the origin of the city.

4. Mogi Honke Museum of Art

Out of the eight brewing families who helped establish Noda Shoyu Co., Ltd., seven were from the Mogi clan. At the Mogi Honke Museum of Art, you can view the art collection of the 12th head of the Mogi Shichizaemon family, the principal line of the seven Mogi families. This new sightseeing spot in Noda houses many works by renowned Japanese painters such as Chinami Nakajima, Taikan Yokoyama, Ryuzaburo Umehara, and Tamako Kataoka.

The museum has extended closure periods during the summer and winter seasons, and visits are generally by reservation. This is to ensure that visitors can take their time and enjoy the exhibits at a leisurely pace. However, depending on availability, same-day visits may also be possible—so if you’re touring Noda, it’s worth stopping by.

5. Noda City Local Museum

For gathering information about sightseeing in Noda, the first stop should be the Noda City Local Museum. It features a variety of exhibits showcasing Noda’s history and folklore.

Another highlight of the museum is the Noda City Civic Hall, which is also designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. Although the name “Civic Hall” might not sound like a tourist spot, it was originally built in 1924 (Taisho 13) as the residence of the Sahei Mogi family, one of the seven Mogi families. It’s a historic residence built in the traditional Japanese sukiya style.

As the home of a brewer who contributed to Noda’s development, the garden and architecture exude elegance. The rooms inside are available for rent by reservation, making it a perfect spot to relax between sightseeing activities.

6. Former Noda Soyuyu Bank

The Noda Soyuyu Bank has a rather unusual name. That’s because “Soyuyu” is a playful twist on the word “shoyu” (soy sauce)! The bank was established in 1900 (Meiji 33) by Noda’s soy sauce brewers, and most of its clients were involved in the brewing industry.

The stone building, completed in 1926 (Taisho 15), still stands today and serves as one of Noda’s architectural tourist attractions. While the interior is not open to the public, the stately Taisho-era modern design makes for a wonderful sightseeing highlight.

7. Sekiyado Castle Museum

Sekiyado, which appears in the song "Itako-gasa" by singer Yukio Hashi, is located at the confluence of the Tone and Edo rivers. It flourished as an important hub for waterway transport since ancient times. Sekiyado Castle, which once stood here, was so strategically important that Hojo Ujiyasu, a powerful warlord during the Sengoku period, described it as "a castle worth an entire province." However, most of the original castle site was lost due to repeated river improvement works after the Meiji period. In remembrance of those days, the Sekiyado Castle Museum was built on a super levee overlooking the Kanto Plain.

The exterior faithfully reconstructs the original Sekiyado Castle keep based on surviving historical records! Inside, you’ll find exhibits explaining Sekiyado’s development as a river port, using panels, dioramas, and videos. As the northernmost tourist attraction in Chiba Prefecture, it’s definitely worth a visit.

8. Kantaro Suzuki Memorial Museum

Kantaro Suzuki was a naval officer who served as Prime Minister at the end of World War II and led Japan to accept surrender, despite opposition from the army. He spent his childhood in Sekiyado and spent his later years there after retiring from politics.

The museum exhibits many of his personal belongings, such as ceremonial dress uniforms and mementos, commemorating his legacy. One of the highlights is the oil painting "The Last Imperial Conference" by Ichiro Shirakawa. This museum honors the achievements of this military leader from Sekiyado while offering visitors an opportunity to reflect on Japan’s history and World War II.

9. Shimizu Park

If you’re looking for a fun place to enjoy an entire day with your family, Shimizu Park is a must! It’s a comprehensive leisure park with an enormous area of 280,000 square meters. Interestingly, it’s one of Japan’s oldest parks, opened in 1894 (Meiji 27), when a local soy sauce brewer opened his land to the public. Even better—admission is free!

The park offers plenty of attractions kids will love, including a field athletic course and "Aqua Adventure," the world’s first fountain maze. There’s also a pony farm where you can ride ponies or feed rabbits.

At the "Flower Fantasia" garden, you can enjoy a wide variety of Japanese and Western seasonal flowers from spring through fall. There’s even a campground on the premises—making outdoor activities in Noda a great option.

10. Mori no Yuenchi (Forest Amusement Park)

Another great spot for family fun is "Mori no Yuenchi," just a 15-minute walk from Noda City Station. It’s a small, charming amusement park located within Noda’s urban area. While not large, it has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.

The main attraction is the "Giant Wheel," one of the largest Ferris wheels in Chiba Prefecture! The ride takes about 13 minutes to complete, and on clear days, you can even see Mount Fuji from the top.
Other rides include classic thrill attractions, antique cars that children can drive through the forest, and a cycle monorail. There are plenty of rides to keep you entertained all day, making it tough to choose between here and Shimizu Park!

11. Stork Sanctuary (Kounotori no Sato)

Located near the southeastern edge of Noda City, "Kounotori no Sato" is a facility focused on environmental conservation and restoration, symbolized by its stork breeding program. Since the first two storks were introduced in 2012, several have been released into the wild.

Admission is free, and you can watch the storks stretching their wings and living freely. Observing these symbols of happiness in Noda, situated between the Tone and Edo rivers, is a peaceful and uplifting experience.

12. Takanashi Honke Kamihanawa Historical Museum and Garden

The Takanashi family was a prominent soy sauce brewing family and village headman in Kamihanawa Village, close to Noda’s city center. You can sense their prosperity just from the magnificent nagaya-mon (longhouse gate) at the entrance. Not only the buildings but also the garden are stunning, with the entire site designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

The residence is open to the public as the Kamihanawa Historical Museum. There are many exhibits about the Takanashi family and other brewing families from the Noda area. It’s a great place to get a feel for the lifestyle of merchants who made fortunes in soy sauce brewing.

◎ Summary

When you think of Noda, you think of soy sauce—and when you think of soy sauce, you think of Noda. However, Noda City has many other tourist spots where you can experience nature and history. Once a city deeply connected to Edo through its waterways, Noda is now entering a new phase as a day-trip destination within easy reach from central Tokyo.

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12 Recommended Sightseeing Spots Around Noda, the Town of Soy Sauce, and Sekiyado, the Castle Town at the Northern Tip of Chiba Prefecture!