RENT & RIDE JAPANInland Boso: Ichihara & the Kominato Railway Line
Kominato Tsukizaki Satoyama Culture Ride
A half-day culture ride tracing Kominato Railway's rustic stations and the Ichihara satoyama hills, taking in the Chibanian geological site and a charming old-house cafe—a quieter side of inland Boso away from the Yoro Valley crowds.
- DISTANCE
- 210 km
- DURATION
- 6 h
- LEVEL
- Beginner
Starting from TASHILOG GARAGE in Hachioji, this half-day culture ride crosses the Aqua-Line into the inland hills of the Boso Peninsula. The goal is the Ichihara hill country, where the original satoyama countryside still lingers—the quiet roads around Tsukizaki and Tabuchi, a world apart from the busy Yoro Valley.
Highlights
- Itabu Station (Kominato Railway): A picturesque unstaffed station, famous for the "water mirror" reflection of the train in the flooded rice paddies.
- Tsukizaki Station (Kominato Railway): A wooden station restored in 2019 to its original appearance, offering hard-stock tickets and the art piece "Mori Radio Station."
- Chibanian (geomagnetic reversal strata): A globally significant rock layer—the first geological age ever named after a place in Japan. Stop by the visitor center to learn before you view it.
In autumn, golden rice fields and scattered ancient temples create the gentle, timeless mood unique to inland Boso. Enjoy the freedom of exploring the sparsely served Kominato Railway line at your own pace on two wheels.
- 1START
Tashilog Garage
Start point. Head from Hachioji to inland Boso via the Ken-O Expressway and Aqua-Line.
TIPSAn early start is recommended. Fill up before departure as the expressway leg is long.
- 2VIEW~30 min
Itabu Station (Kominato Railway)
A tiny unstaffed station on the Kominato Railway, read "Itabu," surrounded by rice fields.
HISTORYThe Kominato Railway has 22 structures—bridges and station buildings—registered as national Tangible Cultural Properties, and Itabu is one of these historic stops. Its cherry blossoms, rapeseed flowers, and post-planting "water mirror" make it one of the line's finest photo spots.
TIPSOnly a few parking spaces. Trains are infrequent—check the timetable to catch a train for photos.
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Photo: No machine-readable author provided. っ assumed (based on copyright claims). (Tsu) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 - 3SPOT~30 min
Tsukizaki Station (Kominato Railway)
A wooden station roughly midway between Goi and Awa-Kominato, also a stop for the Satoyama Torokko sightseeing train.
HISTORYThe station building was restored in 2019 to something close to its original opening-era form. The Y-Shop Asahiya opposite sells hard-stock tickets and Kominato Railway goods, and the art piece "Mori Radio Station" out front reuses a hut once used by track maintenance crews.
TIPSThe nearest station to Chibanian. Getting a date stamped on a hard-stock ticket by the "dating machine" is a local favorite.
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Photo: DAJF / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 - 4SPOT~40 min
Chibanian Visitor Center (Geomagnetic Reversal Strata)
In Tabuchi, Ichihara: the rock layer that gave rise to the geological age "Chibanian," with an interpretive center.
HISTORY"Chibanian" (the age of Chiba) was internationally recognized as a layer clearly recording the most recent geomagnetic reversal—the first time a place in Japan lent its name to a geological age. On site it's simply strata along a river, so learning at the visitor center first is recommended.
TIPSAddress: 1157 Tabuchi, Ichihara. A few minutes by vehicle from Tsukizaki Station. The riverbank can be slippery underfoot.
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Image - 5FOOD~60 min
KONOI CAFE
An old-house cafe nestled in the Tsukizaki satoyama along the Kominato Railway, loved for handmade curry and sweets.
TIPSSignatures include a rich handmade curry and homemade sweets, served on grounds with natural spring water. Open days are limited, so please confirm the latest hours before visiting.
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Image - 6SPOT~30 min
Takataki Shrine
One of Ichihara's leading ancient shrines, near Lake Takataki dam and conveniently placed on the way back.
HISTORYTakataki Shrine is one of Ichihara's popular ancient shrines for goshuin seal collectors, long revered as a deity of safe childbirth, child-rearing, and matchmaking. Its hall, quiet amid the satoyama, conveys the gentle faith culture of inland Boso.
TIPSCombine your visit with a stroll by Lake Takataki. After worship, return to Hachioji via the Ken-O Expressway and Aqua-Line.
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Photo: Abasaa / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain - 7GOAL
Tashilog Garage
Return. Back to Hachioji via the Ken-O Expressway and Aqua-Line.