Tateyama Travel Guide｜Best Things to Do: Daifukuji, Okinoshima & More

Tateyama Travel Guide highlights Daifukuji Temple, Okinoshima Island, and Nagisa no Eki. Discover the best things to do, local seafood, and coastal views just south of Tokyo.

Tateyama Travel Guide｜Why This Coastal City in Chiba Is a Must-Visit

Just about two hours from Tokyo by train or express bus, Tateyama in Chiba Prefecture is a warm coastal resort town surrounded by the sea. Visitors can enjoy hot springs with ocean views and freshly caught seafood from local fishing ports. Among its many attractions, two spots stand out: Daifukuji Temple (Gake Kannon), where history meets breathtaking scenery, and Okinoshima Island, a place of untouched natural beauty. 

Tateyama Travel Guide｜Daifukuji Temple & Its Stunning Cliffside Kannon

History of Daifukuji Temple

Founded in the Nara period (8th century) by the Buddhist monk Gyoki, Daifukuji Temple is one of Tateyama’s most iconic historic sites. Its highlight is the vermilion-lacquered Kannon Hall, dramatically built into the side of a cliff overlooking Tateyama Bay. Known as “Gake Kannon” (“Cliff Kannon”), the hall’s position wedged into exposed rock layers is so striking that visitors can’t help but wonder, “Why here? How long did it take to build?” 

There are two ways to reach the hall: a steep, straight staircase or a gentler, curved one—choose based on your pace. The temple’s main buildings have been rebuilt many times due to fires, landslides, earthquakes, and sea winds, with the current structure dating from 2015. In some places, the gap between the cliff and the hall is only a few centimeters—worth noticing when you visit. 

Why the Cliffside Kannon View Is Unforgettable

Inside the cliff’s cave stands an Eleven-Faced Kannon statue, long worshipped by fishermen and travelers for safe voyages. This magaibutsu (Buddha carved directly into rock) is believed to date back to 717. The dimly lit figure, emerging from the rock face, exudes a mysterious and sacred aura. From the hall and the path leading up, you can enjoy panoramic views of Tateyama Bay; on clear days, Mount Fuji appears in the distance. Sunset here, when the sea and sky turn gold, is an unforgettable sight—making Gake Kannon a must-see photogenic spot in Tateyama. 

Daifukuji Temple (Gake Kannon) – Visitor Information 

Item	Details
Name	Daifukuji Temple (Fumon-in, Funagatayama Daifukuji) – Commonly known as “Gake Kannon”
Location	835 Funakata, Tateyama City, Chiba, Japan
Access	By Public Transport:  – About 15 min on foot from JR Uchibo Line Nako-Funakata Station.  – About 20 min by bus from JR Tateyama Station (Tateyama Nitto Bus, bound for Kohama/Namuya), get off at “Gake Kannon Mae” stop.  By Car:  – Approx. 5 min drive from Tomiura IC on the Futtsu–Tateyama Road.
Business Hours	Temple grounds: 8:00–16:30  Office/Temple reception: 8:30–16:30
regular closing day	Open year-round (may close during severe weather such as strong winds or heavy rain).
admission fee	Free (free in the precincts)
Approximate time required	30 minutes to 1 hour
Official Site	http://www.gakekannon.jp
Phone number	+81-470-27-2247
Note	Parking available, including space for large buses.

Tateyama Travel Guide｜Okinoshima Island’s Nature, Beaches & Snorkeling

Located at the southern end of Tateyama Bay, Okinoshima was once 500 meters offshore but is now connected to the mainland by a sandbar. This uninhabited island, about 1 km in circumference, is perfect for a short nature walk. In summer, its crystal-clear waters make it a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling. The island also preserves a primeval forest and contains Jomon-era (over 8,000 years old) shell mounds, offering both natural and historical appeal. 

At the far end of the island lies Uga Myojin Shrine, known as a love-power spot. Visitors tie a red thread—found on a sardine net in front of the shrine—for happiness, with heart-shaped knots said to bring extra luck. A cave on the island frames a stunning “window view” of the ocean, a favorite for photography. Facilities are minimal—toilets might be out of order—so come prepared and take all trash with you to preserve the beautiful nature. Depending on the season, Okinoshima feels completely different: peaceful in May, lively with beachgoers in summer. 

Okinoshima Island – Visitor Information 

Item	Details
Name	Okinoshima Island (also known as Okinoshima Park)
Location	Off the coast of Fujimi, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan (within Minami-Boso Quasi-National Park)
Access	By Public Transport:  – About 20–25 min walk from the final stop “Tateyama Air Base” (bus from JR Tateyama Station, west exit).  – About 10 min by taxi from Tateyama Station (approx. ¥1,500).  By Car:  – About 20–25 min drive from Tomiura IC on the Futtsu–Tateyama Road.  By Bicycle:  – About 20–25 min ride from Tateyama Station (rental bicycles available).
Business Hours	Open year-round, 24 hours a day
regular closing day	None (caution advised during bad weather)
Admission/Cooperation fee	Free entry. During summer beach season, an optional “environmental preservation contribution” may be requested (approx. ¥500 per person / ¥1,000 per car).
Approximate time required	Around 30 minutes to walk around the island
Official Site	https://tateyamacity.com/archives/215 Information page in Tateyama City Tourism Association
Phone number	+81-470-22-2000 (Tateyama Tourism Association)
Notes	– Contains Jomon-era (over 8,000 years old) submerged archaeological remains, with eco-tours and guided walks occasionally available.  –　Parking available

Tateyama Travel Guide｜Nagisa no Eki for Seafood, Aquarium & Local Culture

Just 8 minutes by car or 12 minutes by bicycle from Okinoshima, Nagisa-no-Eki Tateyama offers shops selling fresh local produce, a restaurant serving seasonal flavors of the Boso Peninsula, and attractions like a 500-meter-long sunset pier and an observation deck with views of Mount Fuji on clear days. The highlight is the free gallery of Sakana-kun—a celebrity marine biologist, illustrator, and TV personality in Japan—whose playful yet detailed fish illustrations are beloved by visitors of all ages. 

“Nagisa no Eki Tateyama” – Visitor Information 

Item	Details
Name	15641 Tateyama, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Location	1564-1 Tateyama, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture
Access	By Train: Approximately 15-minute walk from JR Uchibo Line Tateyama Station (West Exit)   By Car: About 6 km / 15–20 minutes from Tomiura IC on the Futtsu–Tateyama Road
Business Hours	– Nagisa Museum, Sakana-kun Gallery, Seaside Plaza: 9:00–16:45   – Umi no Marche (market): 9:00–17:00   – Tateyama Nagisa Restaurant: Lunch 11:00–15:00 (LO 14:30); Café 15:00–17:00 (LO 16:30); Dinner by reservation
regular closing day	– Museum: Last Monday of each month (or next weekday if it’s a holiday) and December 31–January 1   – Seaside Plaza: Every Monday (or next weekday if it’s a holiday) and December 31–January 1  – Market and Restaurant: Generally open year-round (may close temporarily)
admission fee	Free
Approximate time required	About 1–2 hours to enjoy exhibits and facilities, with variation based on activities
Official Site	https://tateyamacity.com/en/spots/nagisa-no-eki-tateyama/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Tateyama City Tourist Assoiation page
Phone number	+81-470-22-3606 (Tateyama City Tourism Office)
remarks	– “Seaside Plaza” includes aquariums and fish feeding experiences   – Other activities include a VR experience (¥200 adult / ¥100 child) and rental bicycles (¥500 half-day / ¥1,000 full-day)    – Free parking for about 91 cars, plus barrier-free facilities (ramps, accessible restrooms, elevators)

Other Tateyama Highlights 

• Tateyama Castle (Shiroyama Park) – Famous for cherry blossoms and panoramic bay views. 
• Tateyama Family Park – A flower park showcasing seasonal blooms unique to the southern Boso area. 
• Sunosaki Lighthouse – A scenic lighthouse perfect for a coastal drive. 
• Akeyama Underground Bunker Site – WWII-era tunnels offering a glimpse into Japan’s wartime history. 

Please check the Tateyama City Tourist Association official site for more information. https://tateyamacity.com/en/ 

Tateyama Travel Guide｜Best Things to Do for a Coastal Getaway

Spend the morning at Daifukuji Temple (Gake Kannon) enjoying history and views, then explore Okinoshima in the afternoon. End your day at a seaside café or restaurant sampling local seafood, especially fresh sashimi and seafood rice bowls from Tateyama Bay. From Tokyo, an express bus to Tateyama Station is convenient, and renting a bicycle locally makes sightseeing easy. 

With its blend of history, stunning scenery, untouched nature, and fresh seafood, Tateyama offers new surprises even for travelers who have visited Japan multiple times.