Job Discussion Forums

_bYrdI3_ · Joined: 11 Sep 2006 Posts: 1

Hi -

I just found out that I will be living in Funabashi-Shi, in the Chiba
Prefecture. Anybody familiar with that area? It looks like it has
about 550,000 residents, and is pretty close to Tokyo. I leave on
September 26th, arriving the 27th. Any info on the locale, etc would
be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I live in Kashiwa, 40 minutes north of Funabashi, and I lived in Chiba, just south of Funa.

Thereare quite a few good points about Funabashi. The Sobu train lines, local and express, and the Tobu Noda line pass through there, along with the Keisei line, I believe. It's convenient to Tokyo, the open ocean side of the Boso Peninsula, the airport. The shopping is good - Costco at Makuhari is not so far away, and Ikea and Lalaport are right there in the city. Oh, and near Nishi Funabashi station is a multi-storey Daiso Y100 shop. For entertainment, there's the race track. There are a few kitschy restaurants and bars in Funabashi, and then a few fun places to drink and hang out in Tsudanuma. You'll find them or they'll find you Wink

The only thing is, it's dense, urban and concretey. But so is most of Tokyo until you get way out west towards picturesque Tamagawa, or way east where there is lots of green and rice paddies. Relief can be found in Andersen Park, a theme park based on the children's author, and in Chiba City, a good day trip is Showa no Mori Park.

Check out -
http://www.city.funabashi.chiba.jp/koho/eng/home/home-e.htm
http://www.mcic.or.jp/e-japanese.html

Ai · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 154 Location: Chile

I think Liz covered most of the basics about Funabashi. I live near there but I haven't spent much time in Funabashi. Only to visit the 6 floor Daiso (hundred yen store) and go to Lalaport (the biggest shopping mall in Japan). There's a good kaitenzushi place right by the keise Funabashi station. Oh and there's a good Indian restaurant that has a location in Funabashi and Tsudanuma. It seems like it would be a convenient place to live.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Believe there is an indoor ski park that you can see from the train or highway on your way to Costco.

Jon Taylor · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 238 Location: Tokyo

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Whoops....that doesn't surprise me. Suppose I should know, but what is an IKEA anyway John?

Jon Taylor · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 238 Location: Tokyo

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

I see, very nice. We live in a virtual shopping mecca here, don't we John? A far cry from when I first came here, that's for sure!

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I love the tent bar. Funabashi will fail to impress.

bassnyc1 · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 7 Location: NYC

I liked Sala/Tent. I lived in Japan 2 years and I had some great times there. Of course there's a lot of newbies who go there and a lot of them are jerks but the tent can be a cool spot. Also, Yuko is cool and she knows how to take care of her regulars.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Ooh, you two spilled the beans about Sala/the Tent Smile

Oh, while we're spilling things...Narita, The Barge Inn.