Immerse Yourself in an Edo Period Townscape--Sightseeing Boat Rides in Sawara

"If you want to see Edo, come to Sawara, Sawara's even better than Edo." The lyrics of this old folk song testify to Sawara's notable place in history, an influential commercial town during the Edo period. That legacy remains, as the Sawara district of today is endearingly referred to as “Little Edo.”

One of the best ways to enjoy the townscape is to go on a sightseeing boat ride on the Onogawa River. As you cruise down the river, the view of the riverside streets passing by helps you imagine how the townspeople lived in Sawara's heyday. People used to ship products to the capital city "Edo" by water, giving rise to this backdrop of shops and warehouses lining the river. Most of these structures have been well-preserved, and the district here is designated as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings."
We also welcome you to spend some time at the former residence of Inoh Tadataka, the first surveyor to map all of Japan, as well as the Inoh Tadataka Museum. The house and museum are great places to learn more about history and experience authentic traditional Japanese architecture.

Transportation: 15 minute walk from JR Narita Line Sawara Station
Website: http://japan-chiba-guide.com/sys/data/index/page/id/15136/