Kozaki Town is located in Katori District, Chiba Prefecture, and is part of the wider Narita metropolitan area. Situated along the Tone River, the town developed historically through river transportation and commerce.
During the Edo period, brewing and fermentation industries flourished in Kozaki, leaving behind a number of historic buildings and industrial heritage sites. Today, visitors can discover traditional breweries, historic temples and shrines, beautiful natural scenery, and local festivals that reflect the town’s distinctive culture.
Kozaki Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the center of the town. It has long been a place of worship for local residents and offers visitors an opportunity to experience the history and traditional culture of Kozaki.
Seasonal flowers add color to the shrine grounds, with cherry blossoms in spring being particularly beautiful. Every year on February 3, the shrine hosts a Setsubun Festival featuring traditional ceremonies and bean-throwing rituals to drive away evil and welcome good fortune.
The Great Camphor Tree of Kozaki, locally known as the “Nanjamonja Tree,” is one of the symbols of the town. This enormous camphor tree is designated as a Natural Monument of Japan and is believed to be more than 1,000 years old.
Having stood for centuries, the tree has witnessed the changing history of Kozaki. Its impressive size and mysterious atmosphere make it a memorable place to visit. Visitors can relax in its shade while appreciating the connection between the town’s natural environment and its long history.
Nabeten Kozaki Higashigura offers an opportunity to experience Kozaki’s traditional fermentation industry. Nabeten has a history of more than 300 years and has produced fermented foods and beverages such as sake, miso, and soy sauce.
Depending on the occasion, visitors can learn about traditional production methods and enjoy tastings. During the Hakkou no Sato Kozaki Sake Brewery Festival, local breweries open their facilities to the public, providing a special opportunity to discover Kozaki’s fermentation culture. Visitors can also purchase locally produced products as souvenirs.
Jinguji Temple is a Buddhist temple with a quiet and solemn atmosphere. Every year on April 29, the temple is associated with the Kozaki Riverside Festival, which features the dramatic Buddhist fire-walking ritual known as hiwatari shugyo.
The temple grounds also offer seasonal scenery, with autumn foliage creating a particularly attractive setting. Visitors interested in Japanese Buddhist traditions can experience a peaceful temple environment as well as a traditional religious ceremony.
Kozaki is home to several historic structures connected with the town’s brewing industry, including the former rice storehouse of Fujihan Soy Sauce, the soy sauce brewery, and the former soy sauce shop.
These buildings are recognized as part of Japan’s Heritage of Industrial Modernization. They provide a glimpse into traditional soy sauce production and demonstrate how fermentation industries contributed to the development of the local economy.
Kozaki Amanogawa Park is a pleasant green space along the Tone River. The park features spacious lawns and walking paths where visitors can enjoy a picnic, take a leisurely stroll, or simply relax while looking out over the river.
The scenery changes with the seasons, making the park a pleasant destination for families and couples as well as travelers looking for a quiet place to enjoy the natural surroundings.
Kozaki Town hosts a variety of festivals and community events throughout the year. These occasions provide visitors with opportunities to experience local traditions, food, culture, and the lively atmosphere of the town.
The Hakkou no Sato Kozaki Sake Brewery Festival is one of the town’s best-known annual events and is held every March. Local sake breweries open their facilities to the public, allowing visitors to discover traditional brewing and fermentation culture.
Visitors can sample sake and fermented foods, purchase local specialties, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. The event is particularly appealing to travelers interested in Japanese sake and traditional fermentation culture.
The Kozaki Shrine Setsubun Festival is held every year on February 3. During the festival, participants perform traditional mamemaki, or bean-throwing rituals, to drive away evil spirits and pray for health and safety in the coming year.
Visitors can experience this traditional Japanese seasonal celebration and observe the customs associated with Setsubun.
The Kozaki Riverside Festival takes place every April 29 and includes the dramatic fire-walking ritual known as hiwatari shugyo at Jinguji Temple.
During the ritual, practitioners walk across a bed of burning embers as part of a Buddhist practice associated with spiritual purification and prayer. Visitors can watch the ceremony, while local food stalls and vendors also add to the festival atmosphere.
The Gion Festival is one of Kozaki’s major summer traditions. Floats and musical performances travel through the town, accompanied by traditional ohayashi festival music.
Residents of different generations take part in the celebrations, creating a lively community atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy the festival while experiencing local Japanese traditions firsthand.
The Town Sports Festival is held in October and brings local residents together for a variety of sporting competitions. People of different ages participate in teams, making the event an enjoyable opportunity for community interaction.
The relaxed atmosphere allows visitors to observe local community life and experience a side of Kozaki beyond its traditional tourist attractions.
The Town Cultural Festival takes place from late October through early November. Local artists, craftspeople, schools, and community organizations present artworks, handicrafts, music, theater, and other performances.
The event provides an opportunity to discover the creativity and cultural traditions of the Kozaki community.
The Nanjamonja Iki-Iki Festival is held on November 23 and takes its name from the town’s famous “Nanjamonja Tree,” the Great Camphor Tree of Kozaki.
The festival brings the community together with markets selling local foods, agricultural products, and regional specialties. It is a lively autumn event where visitors can enjoy local traditions and flavors.
During December, Kozaki Station Hall and the surrounding area are decorated with colorful winter illuminations. The lights create a festive atmosphere during the Christmas season and provide a pleasant way to enjoy a winter evening in Kozaki.
Kozaki Town is located in northern Chiba Prefecture, approximately 40 kilometers from Chiba City, the prefectural capital. It is also within approximately 60 to 70 kilometers of central Tokyo, making it accessible as a day-trip destination.
The town is part of the Narita metropolitan area and lies on the southern bank of the Tone River. Much of the surrounding landscape is relatively flat, with extensive rice fields and other agricultural land.
The Tone River is the area’s most important river and has played a major role in the historical development of Kozaki. The Yamagami River system also contributes to the town’s natural environment.
The Tone River was especially important during the Edo period, when river transportation supported commerce and helped local industries develop. Today, the river remains an important feature of the town’s landscape.
The modern history of Kozaki dates back to 1889, when Kozaki Village and Yonezawa Village were established. Kozaki Village became a town the following year, creating the first Kozaki Town.
In 1955, Kozaki Town and Yonezawa Village merged to form the municipality that exists today. The town prospered through brewing and other industries that developed from the Edo period onward, while the Tone River provided an important transportation route for commercial activity.
In 2014, the Kozaki Interchange opened on the Ken-O Expressway, further improving road access to the area.
Shimosa-Kozaki Station, originally opened in 1898, has long served as an important transportation point for the area. The station is located on the JR Narita Line.
Kozaki Bridge, which crosses the Tone River, opened in 1967 and provides an important connection between the town and neighboring areas.
The main industries of Kozaki include agriculture and brewing. The town is known for producing high-quality rice, while groundwater influenced by the Tone River basin provides water suitable for fermentation.
Sake, miso, soy sauce, and other fermented products have been produced in the area for more than 300 years. Traditional brewing remains an important part of Kozaki’s identity and is one of the town’s distinctive attractions for visitors.
Modern agricultural development has also progressed, particularly in rice cultivation. Large-scale improvements to farmland have been carried out with an eye toward the future of agriculture in the 21st century.
In addition to rice, Kozaki produces a variety of vegetables and fruits. The cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants, including roses, also contributes to the local economy.
The Kozaki Industrial Park in the Takeda district has been developed for factories and warehouses. Golf courses are also found around the Furuhara area, while tourism contributes to the diversity of the town’s economic activities.
The JR East Narita Line runs through Kozaki Town, with Shimosa-Kozaki Station serving as the town’s main railway station.
Community buses also operate around the station and through the town, providing transportation for residents and visitors. Highway bus services also connect the area with other parts of Japan.
Kozaki benefits from convenient road access through the Kozaki Interchange on the Ken-O Expressway. Major roads including National Route 356 and Chiba Prefectural Route 107 also serve the town.
These transportation links make Kozaki relatively easy to reach from Tokyo, Narita, and other parts of Chiba Prefecture, making the town suitable for both day trips and longer sightseeing itineraries.
Kozaki offers a combination of historic sites and natural attractions. The Great Camphor Tree of Kozaki, also known as the “Nanjamonja Tree,” is one of the town’s most distinctive natural landmarks, while Kozaki Shrine remains an important center of local religious tradition.
The peaceful surroundings of Kozaki Amanogawa Park provide another opportunity to enjoy the area’s natural landscape along the Tone River.
For travelers interested in Japanese food culture, Kozaki’s brewing heritage is one of its most distinctive features. Nabeten Kozaki Higashigura and the historic Fujihan Soy Sauce buildings offer insights into traditional fermentation and brewing industries.
These sites help visitors understand how sake, soy sauce, miso, and other fermented products became an important part of the local economy and culture.
Throughout the year, Kozaki hosts festivals and community events that showcase its traditions and local character. The Hakkou no Sato Kozaki Sake Brewery Festival in March is particularly closely associated with the town’s fermentation culture.
Other seasonal events include the Kozaki Shrine Setsubun Festival in February, the Kozaki Riverside Festival in April, and the Gion Festival in July. In autumn, visitors can experience the Town Sports Festival, Town Cultural Festival, and Nanjamonja Iki-Iki Festival.
Winter brings the Kozaki Station Hall Illumination, giving visitors another opportunity to enjoy the town in a different season.
Kozaki Town is a distinctive destination in northern Chiba where history, nature, agriculture, and fermentation culture come together. Its historic brewing heritage, riverside scenery, ancient shrines, and traditional festivals provide many ways to discover the character of this small Japanese town.
Located within easy reach of Tokyo and the Narita area, Kozaki can also be visited as a day trip. Exploring its breweries and industrial heritage, walking beneath the ancient Great Camphor Tree, and experiencing local festivals offer travelers a chance to encounter a quieter and more traditional side of Chiba.