Sawara (佐原) is a small town northeast of Narita City that prospered during the Edo Period (1603-1868) as a transport hub for rice shipments into Edo. Sawara's historic center lies along a canal, and is known as "Little Edo" for its small district of preserved and restored traditional residences, merchant shops and warehouses from the Edo Period.

The canal is crossed by a number of bridges, the most interesting of which is the Ja Ja Bridge that spouts a twice hourly waterfall from its span into the canal below. Flat-bottomed boat tours of the canal depart from here.

Also found near the Ja Ja Bridge are the Ino Tadataka Museum and his former residence. Born in Sawara, Ino Tadataka was an Edo Period surveyor who made highly accurate maps of the entire Japanese archipelago for the Tokugawa Shogunate. The museum is dedicated to displaying his work and his techniques with excellent displays and description in English.

The town is also known for its festival, the Sawara Matsuri, where floats topped by giant dolls, representing mythological Japanese warriors and heroes, are wheeled through the streets. The festival is held twice yearly in July and October. A few of the floats and other festival items can be seen year round at the Dashi Kaikan museum a short walk from the canal.

Getting there and around

Sawara is located about 20 kilometers northeast of Narita Airport. It can be reached from Narita Station by train along the JR Narita Line (30 minutes, 510 yen, 1-2 trains per hour). The historic town center is about a 10-15 minute walk from the station.

Alternatively, Sawara can be accessed by car in about 30 minutes from Narita Airport if using the expressway (860 yen expressway tolls one way, get off at Sawara-Katori IC) or about 45 minutes by toll-free roads.

How to get to and around Narita

Hours and Fees

Ino Tadataka Museum

Hours

Closed

Admission

Dashi Kaikan

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Narita

Top rated in Narita
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    • Waqoo Naritasanmonzen
      Luxury
      Featuring a spa and wellness centre, Waqoo Naritasanmonzen is set in Narita in the Chiba region, 41 km from Showanomori Museum and 45 km from Shopping Mall SHOPS. Featuring a restaurant, the 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is located 40 km from Kouinzan Honkouji Temple. Guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Waqoo Naritasanmonzen provides certain rooms with city views, and each room comes with a coffee machine. At the accommodation every room is fitted with bed linen and towels. A continental breakfast is available daily at Waqoo Naritasanmonzen. Languages spoken at the 24-hour front desk include English, French, Japanese and Chinese. Chiba Museum of Science and Industry is 46 km from the hotel, while Nikke Colton Plaza is 46 km away. Narita International Airport is 6 km from the property.
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    • Wakamatsu Honten
      Mid-range
      Just in front of the scenic Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, Wakamatsu Honten is a charming local property featuring large public baths and non-smoking Japanese-style rooms with free WiFi. Free shuttle service is offered to Narita Station (reservation required in advance). The ryokan also has s a souvenir shop and coin-operated laundry facilities. Decorated in a traditional Japanese style, all rooms come with a futon bedding, a seating area and green tea sets. A flat-screen TV and personal safe are also included, as well as yukata robes. Bathrooms are either shared or private, depending on the room type booked. All rooms are non-smoking. Wakamatsu Honten is a 15-minute drive from Narita International Airport and an 8-minute drive from Aeon Mall Narita. The Museum of Aeronautical Sciences is a 20-minute drive away. It is a 50-minute drive from Tokyo Disney Resort. For breakfast, the property offers a Japanese set menu. A Kaiseki dinner (Japanese special set) is available with advance reservation, and can be enjoyed in the shared dining room or in guests' private room. Guests can relax at the indoor public baths, which are gender-separated and operate from 15:00 - 10:00 daily. Luggage can be stored at the front office. Free WiFi is available at the lobby, as well as in the rooms.
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    • Hotel Nikko Narita
      Luxury
      Just 10 minutes from Narita International Airport on the free 2-way shuttle, Hotel Nikko Narita features a seasonal outdoor pool, a 24-hour convenience store and 4 dining options. All rooms come with free WiFi. The air-conditioned rooms at the Nikko Narita feature relaxing colours and light wood furnishings, including a desk. A quadruple room is available for family stays. Guestrooms are fitted with a satellite TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea. The en suite bathroom comes with a shower, bathtub and toiletries. Guests can relax with a massage in their room, and the front desk offers currency exchange, dry cleaning and luggage storage. Restaurant Serena looks out on a garden and serves a breakfast buffet with local and Western dishes. A Chinese menu is available for lunch and dinner at Touri, while Hokake serves authentic Edo-era sushi. Sunset Lounge pairs cocktails with night views of the airport. Hotel Nikko Narita is situated 20 minutes drive to Narita City and Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. An hourly shuttle service is available to and from Narita City. Hotel Nikko Narita also operates the shuttle service to and from Aeon Shopping Mall on designated hours.
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    • Narita Sando Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      Narita Sando Guesthouse provides accommodation in Narita near Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and Naritasan Park. Narita Station and Keisei Narita Station is just a 5-minute walk. Free WiFi is provided. Free luggage storage is available on the ground floor. A shared lounge with a TV, microwave, complimentary water and tea is available. Tokyo Narita International Airport is 13 minutes by train from the property.
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    • Karin doo Hotel
      Budget-friendly
      Set within 12 km of Shisui Premium Outlets and 2.1 km of Naritasan Park, Karin doo Hotel offers rooms in Narita. With a shared lounge, the 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. At the hotel, all rooms are fitted with a desk and a flat-screen TV. Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is 2.5 km from Karin doo Hotel, while Narita International Culture Hall is 3.1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Narita International Airport, 9 km from the accommodation.
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    • International Garden Hotel Narita
      Luxury
      A 15-minute drive from Narita Airport, Garden Hotel offers a 24-hour fitness centre and modern rooms with a flat-screen TV. Guests can make free use of the rooftop hot tub. Within a 30-minute walk from International Garden Hotel Narita are AEON Narita Shopping Centre and Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple. JR Narita Train Station is located 2 km away. Rooms at Hotel International Garden are simply furnished and feature a traditional Shoji paper screen. They come with a private bathroom stocked with toiletries and a hairdryer. A breakfast buffet is offered at AVANTI, featuring a selection of both Japanese and Western dishes. An Italian menu is available during lunch and dinner. Facilities offered at International Garden include a laundry room.
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    • Richmond Hotel Narita
      Mid-range
      A 5-minute walk from Keisei-Narita Station and a 10-minute train ride from Narita Airport, the modern Richmond Hotel offers rooms with free Wi-Fi, an LCD satellite TV and video-on-demand movies. Free shuttles to the airport are available at a first-come-first-served bases. The shuttle service cannot be reserved.※From Airport to the hotel shuttlebus is out of servise. The air-conditioned rooms at Richmond Hotel Narita have calm colours. A fridge and electric kettle are provided, and the en suite bathroom has a bath and amenities. Room service is available. JR Narita Train Station is 500 metres from the hotel, and Shinsho-ji Temple is a 15-minute walk. The front desk is open 24/7, and has luggage storage and rental laptops. Free-use PCs are available. Featuring a red-and-black decor and modern lighting, Stella Restaurant serves Japanese/Western dishes. It offers a buffet breakfast, lunch sets and a-la-carte dishes for dinner.
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    • Narita Tobu Hotel Airport
      Luxury
      Narita Tobu Hotel Airport is 10 minutes from Narita Airport via the hotel’s free shuttle. It features a fitness centre with a swimming pool, and offers rooms with free Wi-Fi. Guests can also unwind in the sauna and hot tub. The air-conditioned rooms at Narita Tobu Hotel Airport feature contemporary furnishings and include a flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle. Each room is fitted with comfortable double beds. The attached bathroom comes with a hairdryer and free toiletries. The hotel is a 10-minute bus ride away from AEON Shopping Mall and a 15-minute bus ride from Shinsho-ji Temple. JR Narita Train Station is 20 minutes away on the hotel’s free shuttle. Guests of Narita Tobu Hotel Airport can enjoy a buffet and a la carte meals including Chinese dishes at bright Oasis Restaurant, or sip an elegant drink at Compass Rose Tea & Bar Lounge.
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    • Toyoko Inn Narita Airport Shinkan
      Mid-range
      Located within 49 km of Shopping Mall SHOPS and 50 km of Chiba Museum of Science and Industry, Toyoko Inn Narita Airport Shinkan provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Narita. This 3-star hotel offers free shuttle service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, rooms are equipped with a wardrobe. Every room is fitted with a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At Toyoko Inn Narita Airport Shinkan rooms include a desk and a flat-screen TV. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The nearest airport is Narita International Airport, a few steps from Toyoko Inn Narita Airport Shinkan.
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    • HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Narita
      Luxury
      HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Narita provides a fitness centre with an indoor pool, outdoor tennis, sauna and public bath. The property offers free airport shuttle to and from Narita International Airport, 10 minutes away. On-site restaurants and a bar offers panoramic views of the city at night. Another free shuttle service is available between Narita International Airport and JR Narita Station. All soundproofed guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. Each room has a private bathroom with free toiletries and a hair dryer. All units at HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Narita include air conditioning and a desk. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast featuring Western- and Japanese-style dishes. Guests can dine at Restaurant Gardenia overlooking a garden and serves breakfast buffet, Western-style lunch and dinner. Hourai serves Chinese cuisine, while Azuma serves authentic Japanese cuisine. The reception can provide advice on the area in order to help guests plan their day.
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