Situated in Chiba prefecture, and approximately 110 minutes to 145 minutes from Tokyo is Sawara. To reach Sawara in the fastest from Tokyo, take a train from Shinjuku station for 110 minutes using the Narita Express Line combined with the JR Narita Line. If like many people, you’re staying in nearby Narita before or after a flight from nearby Narita Airport, Sawara is only then a 30 minute train journey from Narita train station. Please note that the trains running to and from Sawara only run once every hour, so please factor this into your day when planning.

Visiting Sawara is a true gem and a perfect addition to your Japan itinerary. Take a day trip from Tokyo and be transported back in time to ’Little Edo’. Sawara is a beautifully preserved historic town filled with history, impressive architecture and authentic experiences. Visiting Sawara enables visitors to expand their Japan horizons and step off the usual tourist trails found in Tokyo. Sawara historical district isn’t vast, and can easily be explored in a few hours.

This small but highly significant area is famous for its beautifully and carefully preserved buildings dating as far back as the Edo period (1603 – 1868). It is extremely picturesque and steeped in history, and is a must when visiting Sawara! The historical district can be likened to its better known sister Kawagoe in Saitama prefecture which retains much of the same Edo period charm and atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy walking around enjoying authentic architecture, visiting local shops and eaters to feel a slower pace and more local flare. Many of the local business here have been going for decades if not a few hundred years, and visitors are welcomed to step inside and admire the stunning historical buildings.

Sawara is also home to the lovely Ono River that runs right through the centre of the historical district. Sawara developed as a key place for trade and commerce during the Edo period, and the tributary river that flows through the town became an important water way for people to travel and take goods up and down the town! Today, visitors can take a traditional boat cruise with a friendly local guide! On the cruise. you will pass under many of Sawara’s pretty bridges and see the historic architecture from a different perspective on the water. Here, many points of interest are showcased in the beautiful town so you can learn more about its past, architecture and residents! The boat cruise port is located right outside of the ’Inoh Tadataka Memorial House’, so search for this and follow directions if you’re unsure of where to find it. The boat cruise costs 1,300 yen per person and reservations for larger groups are recommended especially on weekends or during peak seasons like Spring. However if you’re a solo traveller or a small group you will be able to purchase tickets on the same day. The cruise takes a total of 30 minutes, and timings are changed depending on the time of year with the last cruise in Winter being 3.00pm.

Want to experience Sawara for yourself?

1 Day Tour

Discover Historic Narita and Sawara : Gateway to Japan’s Past
Period	All Year Round
Time	10:15 – 16:20
Meeting Place	Inside of JR Narita Station
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000