Kashiwa Winter Travelogue

I take advantage of sunny but chilly winter days to go on day trips to places near my home in northern Chiba Prefecture. Antique and historical spots often beckon, and recently, an old but new destination caught my attention - a restored country manor in Kashiwa City.

Today, Kashiwa City neighbors nine cities in Chiba and Ibaraki Prefectures. The municipal area covers many rural areas, including the former Washimiya village on the bluff above Teganuma, one of the Kanto region’s biggest marshes. On this sunny Sunday, I rented a bicycle and ventured out on the cycling road along the marsh, slipping back in time.

Along the way, I made a pit stop at Shonan Michi no Eki. The new “Tento” building, so named for its ability to connect the dots, draws visitors to the lawns, marsh vistas, and farm stands. On my visit, a choral group performed, their voices echoing off the eaves. Ranged around were food trucks. The michi no eki has some restaurants, a bakery, and a shop featuring a specialty of Chiba, peanuts. It’s worth a visit by bicycle or car as you pass through the region.

I headed for the former Washimiya village. My first stop was Masakado Shrine, also referred to as Masakado Myojin.

The upstart noble who attempted to overthrow the imperial order. The tl;dr version is that he raised an army, mounted an attack on imperial forces, and lost when he took an arrow to the head. The lore of the region says he was born and raised in the region around Teganuma Marsh, once controlled by the Soma clan. To placate the spirit of her vanquished father, Taira no Masakado’s daughter raised a shrine for him in the village. It’s remarkable for its ornate wood carvings.

Near the shrine are many classic farmhouses displaying traditional architectural features. It’s a time warp with Edo-era farm storehouses.

The former village is on high ground between Teganuma Marsh and is remembered as Washimiya, the eagle’s valley. Bellow are rice paddies bordered by a long avenue of cherry trees, a spectacle in spring. I was aiming for the newly restored Someya Family Residence, a manor with eight restored buildings.

It’s a glimpse into the rural lifestyle of the Edo era. The manor was recently designated as a nationally important cultural property and is open on Sundays.

Social media pumps famous bamboo thickets but they can’t match the tranquility of this village’s Katori Shrine. You can approach the shady lane in front of the Someya manor or the torii gate at the main road.

This Katori Shrine is wrapped in a shelter but visitors can still see the elaborate carvings of wildlife and dragons adorning the pillars.

And I was the only visitor there. The knocking of the bamboo stocks in the breeze, sunlight filtering through the leaves was enchanting. And I was the sole visitor.

Have you ventured into rural Chiba Prefecture cities? Have I enticed you to see a slow tourism spot? I’m happy to fill you in on highlights of the region.