Review of Chiba prefecture, anyone?

[Kazuto Kirigaya]

When I go to Japan, I want to be away from the metros and experience the true culture, nature and history of Japan; though I will be a gaijin living in Japan so, as a traveler that hopes to visit every country and tourist location in the world while still exploring the not-so-tourist side of things, I feel compelled to visit Tokyo and Osaka though it will be a lot harder if I'm in Shikoku or Hokkaido .
Chiba prefecture is near enough to Tokyo that I can spend a day there if I leave early and could take the bullet train to Osaka and other major cities too. Though I have a few questions that will somewhat decide whether I would like to live here:
Are there enough mountains, forests, lakes, and other natural beauty around to explore?
Are there enough historical and cultural things to do and see?
Are there any special foods only found there?

 

[thomas]

So are you enquiring about a day trip to Chiba from Tokyo or about living in Chiba?

While the area close to Tokyo is your usual urban sprawl (narrow roads, lots of traffic and nothing particular to see), the Boso Peninsula is nothing short of spectacular. Kamogawa is famous for its acquarium (orcas), Tateyama is a picturesque fishing town (had my first whale sashimi there), there's the Flower Line, and Choshi at the very eastern tip of Chiba.

Another famous spot is Nokogiriyama close to Futtsu with its Buddha statues. Be advised that most destinations are difficult to reach by public transportation.

For a day trip from Tokyo, you could visit the famous Narita-san Shingon temple in Narita City.

 

[Kazuto Kirigaya]

Yeah, I wasn't clear on that. I plan to live away from the metros and because I still want to see the big city, I plan to live in Chiba; so I was asking what there is to do/see in Chiba. Thanks!