Relax and unwind at soothing spots and savor local delicacies on this trip to Funabashi and Tsudanuma—you might even encounter the mascot character Funassyi!

A poetic park recreating the scenery found in the hometown of Andersen

This park is named for Hans Christian Andersen, a well-known fairy-tale author from Funabashi's sister city Odense, Denmark. The 38.3-hectare site is home to five zones where visitors can experience a variety of activities in the park’s rich natural environment, including playgrounds and a petting zoo.

The Fairy Tale Hill Zone is an exotic area built to resemble Andersen's fairy tales. The Community Center, with its eye-catching red exterior, was built to resemble the administration building at the open-air Funen Village in Denmark.

Surrounded by green trees and flowers, the windmill is the symbol of the park. This windmill was assembled by Danish artisans based on the windmill built in the 1800s that still stands in the Funen Village.

See the colorful flower beds—including a flower maze—full of various flowers found from the Fairy Tale Hill Zone to the Nature Experience Zone. The park features 150 varieties of plants and flowers, some 100,000 in total, and these can be enjoyed throughout the year.

There is a heart-shaped arch topiary in the Castle of Flowers Zone; this is the best spot for taking commemorative photos.

If you find yourself tired from walking, take a break at Cafe Hyldemoer next to the West Gate. The terrace seats look out on a green lawn.

The cafe's top recommendation is the elderflower soft serve ice cream for 395 yen. A syrup made from elderflower is mixed into the ice cream, letting you enjoy the light, floral fragrance within the rich milk and chocolate flavors.

Discover Scandinavian sundries and original goods to commemorate your visit!

The shop at the Community Center offers a variety of items imported from Denmark, such as hanging mobiles and Nisse dolls based on Danish fairy designs.

The park's original memo pad (330 yen), mini towel (880 yen), and mug (1,650 yen) feature designs by Nina Hirano, a watercolor artist from Copenhagen, Denmark.

The baumkuchen (756 yen) is a popular souvenir and is available in two varieties, chocolate and white chocolate. Both feature vanilla-flavored cream inside.

We visited exotic areas associated with Hans Christian Andersen, but there are also many other facilities for families with children to enjoy such as the Wanpaku Kingdom Park with its playgrounds and the Children’s Art Museum Zone where children can experience a wide range of creative activities.

A rose theme park where story-filled events excite visitors

One of the largest rose theme parks in the Kanto region, Keisei Rose Garden boasts 1,600 varieties and 10,000 individual rose plants blooming across its 30,000 m2 site. Spring roses are at their best from early/mid-May to early/mid-June. And visitors can enjoy fall roses from mid-October to late November.

In the Formal Garden, heirloom and the newest rose varieties alike are planted in symmetrical arrangements. There are numerous charming spots to take photos, such as the Fountain of Eden, a fountain located in the center of the rose garden, and “The Rose of Versailles” terrace overlooking the garden.

We took a photo with the central Fountain of Eden behind us. Also noteworthy is the Floating Flowers event, only visible for a limited period during the seasonal events in spring and fall.

Since its establishment in 1959, the Keisei Rose Garden has produced numerous new varieties of roses and is highly regarded both in Japan and abroad. At the garden, visitors can see varieties that have won awards at various contests as well as rare varieties of roses. Pictured is the Kibo (Hope) variety.

The yellow and red gradation of the Asagumo (Morning Clouds) variety reminds us of clouds aglow with the morning light.

The Rose Garden, also a great spot for those in love to visit together, has a Rose Gazebo donated by Yumi Katsura, known as the mother of bridal fashion. This has become a symbol of the park.

The permanent Light and Roses Installation installed in the greenhouse features a mirror ball in the center of the dome. This reflects light and surrounds visitors in a shimmering glow. The Brilliant Tree carousel is also definitely worth checking out.

After enjoying the roses, stop by the Rose Shop. The Alice's Vial for 2,000 yen features an Alice in Wonderland design and is filled with rose-shaped meringue and playing card cookies. The cute wrapping includes a key-shaped charm!

Rose Jewel Rose & Fruit Herbal Tea, the shop’s original tea for 1,200 yen, is a blend of rose petals, apple, and strawberry. Its gentle, fragrant rose aroma and sweet and sour flavor make for an enjoyable cup. And because it is caffeine-free, it is a great choice before bedtime.

Don't miss the Strawberry Hunt in the Land of Oz, a strawberry-picking event held during the winter.

*However, there is a holiday in June for taking inventory

Beginners, too, can enjoy themselves at this skating rink, where it is always cool and refreshing, even on extremely hot days!

This skating rink is a 10-minute walk from JR Minami-Funabashi Station. Equipped with two rinks—the A Rink, a 60 x 30 m rink conforming to the International Skating Union standards, and the B Rink, which serves as a practice space—Mitsui Fudosan Ice Park Funabashi is used by a wide range of individuals, from beginners to professional athletes.

Clothing that is easy to move in is a must at the skating rink. A wide selection of figure skates and hockey skates are available. Helmets and pads can also be rented free of charge, so there’s no need for visitors to come with their own gear.

Beginners can take advantage of push sleds, which are available for 300 yen for 30 minutes, and start by taking a few laps around the rink. By using the sled as a support, you can develop a sense of your body's center of gravity and gradually get the hang of skating.

When you get used to it, try skating while holding on to the handrail. Bend your knees and lower your center of gravity.

The hotel staff, who were skating for the first time, were able to skate reasonably well in about 30 minutes.

Here, we tried taking some slightly unusual photos in Ice Park Funabashi-style. Placing skates in the foreground lets you take a surprising photo only possible here.

There was a stylish spot for photos in one corner of the B Rink. The staff look like they are athletes awaiting their score.

Advanced skaters were practicing on the A Rink. Availability for both the A and B rinks changes on a daily basis due to competitions and private use. We recommend checking the business hours in advance before visiting.

There are only two locations for ice skating in Chiba Prefecture that are open year-round. In addition to skating, there are Ice Board kickboards that glides on the ice and more. Come and enjoy the ice in comfort regardless of the weather.

Fresh seafood bowls piled high that have customers lining up inside the wholesale market!

The Funabashi Market handles fresh local, domestic, and international seafood, as well as processed marine products and vegetables and fruits. Inside the Related Shops Building found on the premises are 14 eateries, all of which are open to the public.
Sushi Dokoro Hishinoki is one of the most popular of these, with a long line of customers waiting at lunchtime. The famous Funabashi Ichiba-Don is 2,000 yen and filled with the day's catches, such as beautiful medium fatty tuna, red and white fish, salmon roe, scallops, and salmon, all on a bed of vinegared rice! At 1,870 yen before tax, this offers great bang for your buck.

This is the restaurant's recommended Shin-Funabashi Ichiba-Don for 3,000 yen. The Funabashi Ichiba-Don is luxurious enough, but the Shin-Funabashi Ichiba-Don further adds abalone and sea urchin to make it really special. All rice bowls come with a small side and soup.

The fatty tuna melts in your mouth. Each piece of seafood has a satisfying flavor and texture. Both counter and table seating make this a welcoming space for even female customers.

The walls are lined with the day's recommended seafood menu. À la carte dishes such as stewed conger eel (1,000 yen) and Japanese-style omelet (500 yen) are also available.

A sign reading “We are sold out for the day” posted at the storefront in the early afternoon speaks to the popularity of the restaurant.
The Funabashi Market welcomes the general public, as well. After your meal, enjoy shopping for fresh seafood and processed products in the spacious market.

Stop by this cafe and pâtisserie to enjoy fresh fruit

Located on the first floor of Shapo Funabashi, this cafe and restaurant is popular with women in the area. Fruit tarts prepared with seasonal fruits carefully selected by the pâtissier as well as Southern European cuisine.
The most popular confection is the Tarte Première, topped with 10 kinds of fruits, for 1,180 yen. Enjoy this with aromatic blend coffee for 860 yen (the photo shows the drink set for 2,030 yen).

The shop's name in French means “a house with a warm dining table bathed in sunshine.” The warm space with its white design and natural, plane wooden tables invites you to relax as if you are at home.

The Caramel Banana Baked Cheese Tart for 980 yen per slice is a combination of a rich baked cheese tart, bananas, and caramelized nuts. The bittersweet caramel sauce is a lingering taste sensation.

This is the Strawberry and Chocolate Ganache Tart for 1,080 yen per slice. The brownie tart, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate ganache, and strawberries for decoration is a must for fans of chocolate.

In addition to the standard fruit tarts, the shop offers seasonal tarts such as Strawberry in December, Mango in May, and Peach in July. Customers can experience the seasons with these seasonal fruit tarts.

Madeleines, cookies, and other baked goods sold in the store, as well as jellies made from domestic fruits, are also recommended as gifts. Enjoy wonderful confections made from carefully selected ingredients at home, as well.

High expectations right off the bat with the appetizer platter at this Italian restaurant, the talk of the town in Funabashi!

Like a hideaway tucked away in a quiet location, this Italian restaurant has a reputation for serving Italian fare at reasonable prices. Dishes are prepared using vegetables and seafood from the local Funabashi Market, as well as carefully selected ingredients from all over Japan.
The B Course lunch for 2,750 yen includes the day’s appetizer platter, pasta, a main dish, and an after-lunch beverage. Even the appetizers come in huge portions!　Enjoy plenty of vegetables with the Yellow Tomato Bruschetta, Horse Mackerel Carpaccio, and more.

There are three types of pasta to choose from. On our visit, we chose the Cacio e Pepe, a pasta from Rome. This is a dish for cheese fans. The thick, fresh homemade pasta is topped with grated pecorino and grana cheese.

The B Set Lunch with Upgraded Appetizers for 3,410 yen comes with even more extravagant appetizers. The set includes a variety of appetizers such as prosciutto and melon and roast beef, pasta, a main dish, and an after-lunch beverage.

For this course, we ordered the Pasta Pomodoro with Fresh Tomatoes and Grilled Eggplant. Grilled eggplant and zucchini are added to the dish; taste the texture and sweetness of the vegetables.

A full lineup of beverages awaits, including Italian beer and cocktails

A dolce can be added for an additional 440 yen. The dolce of the day was tiramisu with pineapple.

Alcoholic beverages are also available, such as the Italian PERONI draft beer starting at 730 yen and homemade limoncello with soda for 700 yen. It is nice change to enjoy an elegant lunch while sipping on a tasty beverage.

This popular restaurant fills up quickly with reservations on weekends. Before visiting, we recommend checking the reservations on their website or by phone in advance.
*Dishes, including appetizers and pasta, change daily.

Enjoy an authentic Sichuan lunch at this famous restaurant and come away satisfied for under 1000 yen!

After training under the late Chen Kenmin and the late Ko Shosen, two figures known as the gods of Chinese cuisine, and working as the head chef at a Sichuan-style restaurant, chef Makoto Minoshima opened Kawanami in Funabashi in 1999. The restaurant is operated together with Ms. Fukaya, the female head chef.
The signature Mapo Tofu is a favorite with Japanese customers, a spicy dish with the flavors of various ingredients shining through. Lunch comes with soup, rice, salad, and pickles, making it a bargain at 990 yen.

In addition to the Weekly Lunch for 990 yen, which features à la carte dishes as the main dish, you can also enjoy noodle dishes and rice bowls for lunch. The Dandan Noodles for 950 yen is the noodle dish the restaurant recommends most.

The hotel staff do not enjoy spicy food, so they chose the Shrimp with Salty Noodles for 950 yen. The thick soup is chock full of shrimp, bamboo shoots, and more, and the firm texture of the ingredients makes this an enjoyable menu choice.

There is also a wide variety of à la carte dishes available. The Shrimp in Chili Sauce for 2,420 yen, maintaining the tradition of Chen Kenmin's recipe, is not only spicy; it also has the sweetness and flavor of ketchup.

The Kawanami Special Fried Rice for 1,100 yen is made with a variety of ingredients such as shrimp, eggs, and bacon. The homemade chili bean sauce is the key to its flavor.

There are 10 different items available for lunch, with these changing by the week. It is a joy to taste authentic Chinese cuisine for less than 1,000 yen.

The homemade secret recipe chili oil—the secret ingredient in all of the dishes—is also available for 570 yen. With dried fava beans, mandarin orange peel, and more, it has a spicy yet deep flavor. Just add this to give the fried rice and mapo tofu you make at home an authentic flavor.

This Chinese restaurant has been in Funabashi for over 20 years. Enjoy the rich flavors of traditional Sichuan cuisine in the relaxed, cozy atmosphere.

Marine-colored guest rooms that focus on comfort and quality of sleep

Located on the 6th to 10th floors of the Shapo Funabashi South Building, a shopping center connected directly to the south exit of JR Funabashi Station, this hotel offers outstanding access and convenience.
Funabashi prospered as port town and is closely associated with boats. The interior design of the hotel is therefore inspired by boats and the waterfront. Guest rooms are decorated with wood and marine colors, creating the sense of a boat on the water.

The reception desk on the 6th floor welcomes guests 24 hours a day. Self check-in terminals allow guests to smoothly find their reservation and make their payment.

The bright lobby with its open layout is furnished with sofas and stools reminiscent of boats and barrels. Guests are welcome to relax here with a cup of coffee on the house.

The hotel’s guest room areas are equipped with card key security and are for the exclusive use of guests. A total of 161 simple and functional guest rooms incorporate marine colors as an accent. Focusing on comfort and quality of sleep, the hotel offers specially made bedding with an adjusted down ratio to provide the optimum temperature for sleeping, as well as two types of pillows with different textures.

Enjoy a semi-buffet-style breakfast with a choice of four main dishes

The venue for the next morning's breakfast is Japanese Restaurant and Cafe chawan on the second floor of the hotel. Choose from scrambled eggs & bacon, fried eggs & bacon, grilled fish, and marinated salmon with rice in a dashi broth. You can also enjoy a semi-buffet of Japanese and Western dishes featuring ingredients from Chiba Prefecture.

Enjoy the grilled fish with freshly cooked rice and miso soup. A wide variety of Japanese side dishes, simmered dishes, dressed dishes, pickles, and soft-boiled eggs are available. Soy sauce from Chiba Prefecture is also available on the buffet table.

Wood textures and greenery create a natural space.

In addition to connecting directly to JR Funabashi Station, it is a 3-minute walk to Keisei Funabashi Station and a 2-minute walk to Funabashi Station on the Tobu Urban Park Line. Offering easy access to Makuhari Messe, the Maihama area, and Narita Airport, this hotel is great for short holidays and business trips.

Promising guests a comfortable stay in a relaxed space like a calm sea

Directly connected to the south exit of JR Tsudanuma Station, this hotel is in an ideal location, allowing guests to exit the ticket gates and check in without getting lost. The guest rooms are based on the concept of calm seas, with wood-grained interiors and wave-patterned carpets, creating a relaxing and soothing atmosphere.

There are three types of guest rooms available: single, twin, and deluxe twin. The deluxe twin room in the photo is 23 m2 and comes with two 120 cm-wide beds. The desk is found along a large window. In order to provide guests with a comfortable night’s sleep, two types of pillows are provided: an original pillow, and a pipe & marshmallow pillow.

There is a sofa bed and table in the space next to the bathroom, and using this bed allows the room to accommodate up to three guests.

A relaxing space featuring a sofa bed in chic colors with bright cushions. Guests can use the table to sit together or enjoy a light meal or refreshments.

The front desk is located on the 6th floor, and guests can check in and out at their convenience using the self check-in terminals. Afterwards, guests can take a breather and sit on the sofa in the lobby with a cup of coffee on the house. A wide variety of amenities such as face wash, body milk lotion, and bath salts are also available here.

Breakfast is served at Denny's on the third floor of the hotel. Guests have a choice of Japanese and Western breakfast sets. The breakfast ticket can also be used at the Burger King on the first floor of the hotel.

A bakery loved by the community that focuses on freshly baked, freshly fried, and freshly prepared items

With 10 stores in Chiba Prefecture, this bakery is popular with customers of all ages. The bakery’s concept—food culture with a little luxury and a little style—means it offers a wide variety of items that are not only delicious but that also feed the soul.

With its wood accents, the interior is a warm, friendly space. The Kanade no Mori location (Tsudanuma) has a brick oven, and the far-infrared rays allow customers to enjoy bread baked crispy on the outside and fluffy and sticky on the inside.

Check out the lineup of freshly baked bread. Each type of bread is labeled with comments such as “100% Hokkaido wheat” or “Includes whole wheat flour” so that customers can understand the characteristics of the ingredients at a glance.

The Melon Bread (right) for 194 yen is popular for its crunchy cookie dough and moderate sweetness. A world record was made after 9,749 sold in a single day. The Bacon Cheese Epi for 302 yen features the delicious flavor of bacon and a mild cheese cream made from four kinds of cheese.

The specialty curry bread is a Gold Medal winner six years running and a must-try!

This bakery’s signature item, the Kokuuma Curry Bread for 216 yen has won the Gold Medal in the East Japan Fried Curry Bread Category at the Japan Curry Bread Grand Prix for six consecutive years. Filled with a slightly sweet curry that brings out the flavors of beef, carrots, onions, and other vegetables, the fragrant bread with its crispy texture is also wonderful.

The Salted Butter Roll for 194 yen features lake salt from the Tibetan Plateau. The butter is melted into the dough, giving this item an exquisite salty, addictive flavor.

Tables and benches are available on the terrace in front of the bakery, so you can enjoy your bread on the spot. Free coffee is also available, making this a great place for a snack during your walk around town.

The bakery also sells buns filled with a filling of your choice, such as whipped cream, sweet bean paste, or butter. Enjoy the freshly baked, freshly fried, and freshly prepared items only found at Peaterpan. Discover bread you are sure to crave every day.

Offering 70 different products including fragrant, freshly roasted peanuts

Chiba Peanuts stocks carefully selected peanuts from Chiba Prefecture and produces and sells freshly roasted peanuts using techniques handed down from generation to generation. The Funabashi FACE shop offers a wide range of products, including processed products and other related products.

The Peanut Creamy Premium (left) for 756 yen, which has been creating buzz even on TV, is made from 100% Chiba peanuts. Enjoy its fragrant, rich flavor on toast. A wide variety of in-shell peanuts are also available, such as Chiba Handachi—a well-known premium variety from Chiba Prefecture—at 1,190 yen for 160 g.

Merchandise featuring the local mascot character Piinyattu are also something unique to pick up. Check out the cute paw prints on the Piinyattu Mascot for 605 yen (left). And try the Piinyattu Ningyoyaki (right) for 130 yen, which is made of fluffy batter and filled with custard cream.

You may think they are all just peanuts, but with different varieties like Chiba Handachi and Nakate Yutaka and various types such as in-shell, seasoned, and buttered peanuts, you are sure to have a tough time choosing what to get.

In addition to peanuts, the shop also carries a wide range of goods, from famous confections and processed products from Chiba Prefecture, as well as merchandise featuring the Chiba Prefecture Mascot CHI-BA-KUN. We were told canned sardines from Choshi Port are another popular choice.

Located a 1-minute walk from JR Funabashi Station, this souvenir store is a great spot to quickly shop while waiting for the train. Try authentic Chiba peanuts as a gift or souvenir. Once you start, you won’t be able to put them down.

Go meet Funabashi's unofficial mascot character Funassyi!

Funassyi, a pear fairy from Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, is a local mascot character (unofficially representing Funabashi) beloved by the locals. The inside of this official Funassyiland shop, decorated to look like a pear orchard, is filled with plush toys, sundries, stationery, and other merchandise featuring Funassyi.

The Funassyi Canvas Tote for 5,500 yen is only available at the Funabashi Main Shop. This large tote is handy for going to school or shopping, and the refreshing colors are sure to be great in summer.

The Funassyi Cheering Fan for 660 yen is a must-have for stanning. The Mascot Key Chain for 1,320 yen comes in three handy versions: No. 2 Measuring Tape, No. 3 Mini Mini Pouch, and No. 4 Key Cover.

The Funassyi Park Maple Pie contains 12 pieces for 1,080 yen. Enjoy the authentic pie crust with its addictive crunchy texture.

Try the capsule toy Funassyi Family Yukaina Pin-Back Button (300 yen per capsule toy). Each try is awarded with one of ten types at random, including Funagoro and Funyassyi.

There is an area in the store where you can take a picture with Funassyi. Be sure to take a commemorative photo together. There is also a message box, and letters placed in the box are said to go to Funassyi.

The Funabashi Main Shop, which was built to fulfill Funassyi’s dreams, holds events several times a month. These include photo sessions and instax sessions. Funassyi fans come here from all over Japan. Visit this spot and rediscover why Funassyi is so popular.