First sunrise 2027 in Kanto outside Tokyo
- Thirteen spots are compared across Chiba's coasts, capes, observation decks and summit, along with Oarai and Mt. Tsukuba in Ibaraki.
- On January 1, 2026, sunrise at Cape Inubosaki was at about 6:46.
- Costs range from free beaches and capes to ¥420 for observatories, ¥1,400 for the ferry cruise, and ¥1,860 for the round-trip cable car.
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This page compares 13 places to see the first sunrise of the year in the Kanto region outside Tokyo: coasts, capes, observation decks and a summit in Chiba, plus Oarai and Mt. Tsukuba in Ibaraki. They are compared by New Year’s Day opening times, fees and access. The sunrise comes earliest on the outer coast of Chiba and along the Ibaraki shore. On January 1, 2026 it was about 6:46 at Cape Inubosaki in Choshi. Special openings and extra trains for January 1, 2027 have not been announced yet, so the 2026 results are shown. For observation decks in Tokyo, see the Tokyo first sunrise article (Japanese).
In short
- Earliest sunrise: Cape Inubosaki (about 6:46 on January 1, 2026; about 10 minutes on foot from Inubo Station).
- To wait indoors: the Chikyu-no-Marukumieru-Oka Observatory or Choshi Port Tower (tickets ¥420 for adults; numbered tickets were handed out in 2026).
- By train only: the three places in Choshi near Inubo Station, or Oarai (special train and bus in 2026).
- From the sea: the Tokyo Bay Ferry (¥1,400 round trip with no landing). From a mountain: Mt. Nokogiri ropeway or Mt. Tsukuba.
- All times are from 2026; the 2027 schedules are not yet announced.
Checked with official pages on October 31, 2026 (Japan time). Prices and hours may change.
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1. Times and fees on January 1 at the 13 places
Tap a place name to jump to its section. The times on January 1 are from 2026 (2027 not yet announced).
| Place | Nearest station / access | Time on Jan 1 (2026) | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Inubosaki | About 10 min on foot from Inubo | Sunrise about 6:46 | Free |
| Chikyu-no-Marukumieru-Oka Observatory | 15 min on foot from Inubo | Opened 5:30; numbered tickets from about 5:00 | Adults ¥420 |
| Choshi Port Tower | Kawaguchi-cho, Choshi | 6:00–7:00, first 200 people | Adults ¥420 |
| Taito-zaki Lighthouse | About 50 min on foot from Taito | Said to be the next earliest after Inubosaki | Free |
| Motosuka Beach | By car (Sammu) | New Year festival (planned in past years) | Free |
| Katakai Central Beach | By car (Kujukuri) | Near the middle of Kujukuri Beach | Free |
| Seichoji Temple, Asahigamori | 15 min by bus from Awa-Amatsu | New Year temple visit possible | Free |
| Michi-no-Eki Kamogawa Ocean Park | About 20 min on foot from Emi | Opened at 6:00 (planned) | Free |
| Mt. Nokogiri Ropeway | 8 min on foot from Hamakanaya | Special service usually from 5:30 | Ropeway fare |
| Tokyo Bay Ferry | 8 min on foot from Hamakanaya / Kurihama | Kanaya 6:30, Kurihama 6:40 | Cruise ¥1,400 |
| Umihotaru Parking Area | Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line | In the middle of Tokyo Bay | Toll only |
| Oarai, Kamiiso no Torii | First-sunrise bus from Oarai Station | Sunrise about 6:48 | Free |
| Mt. Tsukuba | Shuttle bus from Tsukuba Station | Early service usually from 4:30 | Cable car round trip ¥1,860 |
2. What to know about first sunrises in Kanto
According to the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association, on the flat ground of Chiba the sun begins to rise between 6:45 and 6:50 on January 1, in the south-east. The more a place faces east over the sea, the more directly you see the sun come up from the horizon.
On the morning of January 1, many facilities open at hours when they are normally closed, and some limit the number of visitors or hand out numbered tickets. The Chikyu-no-Marukumieru-Oka Observatory handed out tickets from about 5:00 and Choshi Port Tower from about 5:30 (2026).
Few places can be reached by train. In Choshi you can walk from Inubo Station on the Choshi Electric Railway, but the Kujukuri beaches and Taito-zaki Lighthouse assume a car. For Oarai, the Kashima Rinkai Railway ran a special train in 2026, and the Mt. Tsukuba cable car and ropeway usually run from 4:30 on January 1.
Announcements of special openings and extra trains for January 1, 2027 usually come in December. For January 1, 2026, the Kashima Rinkai Railway announced its special train on December 9, 2025.
3. Choshi (Chiba)
Cape Inubosaki
Apart from mountain tops and remote islands, this is the place in Japan where the first sunrise can be seen earliest. On January 1, 2026 it was about 6:46. It is about 10 minutes on foot from Inubo Station on the Choshi Electric Railway.
Checked against the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association page “First sunrise spots in Chiba 2026” (Japanese).
Photo credit: 犬吠埼灯台20190613-IMG 5011.jpg (photo by Kurofune, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 4.0
| Name | Cape Inubosaki |
|---|---|
| Address | Inubosaki, Choshi City, Chiba |
| Phone | 0479-22-1544 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Chikyu-no-Marukumieru-Oka Observatory
On January 1, 2026 it opened at 5:30, and numbered entry tickets were handed out from about 5:00. A first drumming performance by Choshi Hane Daiko was held before sunrise (announced as planned). From January 2 it returns to normal hours, opening at 9:00. Admission is ¥420 for adults, ¥200 for children and ¥360 for people aged 65 and over. It is 15 minutes on foot from Inubo Station.
Checked against the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association page “First sunrise spots in Chiba 2026” (Japanese).
Photo credit: 地球の丸く見える丘展望館20190613-IMG 4874.jpg (photo by Kurofune, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 4.0
| Name | Chikyu-no-Marukumieru-Oka Observatory |
|---|---|
| Address | 1421-1 Tennodai, Choshi City, Chiba |
| Hours / Closed | Normally opens at 9:00 (opens at 5:30 on January 1, 2026) |
| Phone | 0479-25-0930 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Choshi Port Tower
On January 1, 2026, entry to the observation room between 6:00 and 7:00 was limited to the first 200 people, with numbered tickets handed out from about 5:30. A New Year first drumming performance began around 7:00 (announced as planned). Admission is ¥420 for adults, ¥200 for elementary and junior high school students, and ¥360 for people aged 65 and over.
Checked against the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association page “First sunrise spots in Chiba 2026” (Japanese).
| Name | Choshi Port Tower |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-6385-267 Kawaguchi-cho, Choshi City, Chiba |
| Hours / Closed | Normally opens at 9:00 (first 200 people 6:00–7:00 on January 1, 2026) |
| Phone | 0479-24-9500 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
4. Kujukuri and Isumi (Chiba)
Taito-zaki Lighthouse
This lighthouse stands on a cliff facing the Pacific Ocean, and its first sunrise is said to come next after Inubosaki. Parking around the lighthouse is limited and the road up from the national highway is narrow and steep, so Isumi City recommends going on foot. It is about 50 minutes on foot from Taito Station on the JR Sotobo Line.
Checked against the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association page “First sunrise spots in Chiba 2026” (Japanese).
| Name | Taito-zaki Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| Address | 3508 Izumi, Misaki-cho, Isumi City, Chiba |
| Phone | 0470-62-1243 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Motosuka Beach
A beach in Sammu City. In past years a New Year festival was held on January 1, with free sweet sake, kite flying and food trucks planned (2026 announcement; subject to cancellation or change).
Checked against the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association page “First sunrise spots in Chiba 2026” (Japanese).
| Name | Motosuka Beach |
|---|---|
| Address | Motosuka, Sammu City, Chiba |
| Phone | 0475-80-1202 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Katakai Central Beach
This beach is near the middle of Kujukuri Beach, which is about 66 km long. You can watch the sun rise from the horizon and color the sea and sky.
Checked against the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association page “First sunrise spots in Chiba 2026” (Japanese).
| Name | Katakai Central Beach |
|---|---|
| Address | Katakai, Kujukuri Town, Sammu District, Chiba |
| Phone | 0475-70-3175 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
5. Kamogawa (Chiba)
Seichoji Temple, Asahigamori
The morning sun seen from Asahigamori is chosen as one of the “100 Best Morning Suns of Japan”. Seichoji is said to be where the priest Nichiren took his vows and founded his school, and you can also make a New Year temple visit. From Awa-Amatsu Station on the JR Sotobo Line, take the Kamogawa community bus bound for Kiyosumi (15 minutes).
Checked against the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association page “First sunrise spots in Chiba 2026” (Japanese).
| Name | Seichoji Temple, Asahigamori |
|---|---|
| Address | 322-1 Kiyosumi, Kamogawa City, Chiba |
| Phone | 04-7094-0525 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Michi-no-Eki Kamogawa Ocean Park
On January 1, 2026 it opened at 6:00, with sales of special lucky bags and a mochi-throwing event planned. It is about 20 minutes on foot from Emi Station on the JR Uchibo Line.
Checked against the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association page “First sunrise spots in Chiba 2026” (Japanese).
| Name | Michi-no-Eki Kamogawa Ocean Park |
|---|---|
| Address | 22 Emi Tayusaki, Kamogawa City, Chiba |
| Phone | 04-7096-1911 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
6. Futtsu and Kisarazu (Chiba) and Tokyo Bay
Mt. Nokogiri Ropeway
So that people can greet the first sunrise at the summit, a special service usually starts at 5:30 on January 1 (according to the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association). The latest New Year early-morning notice on the ropeway’s official site is for January 1, 2024, when cars ran every 5 minutes from 5:30 and the car park opened at 4:30. It is 8 minutes on foot from Hamakanaya Station on the JR Uchibo Line, and about 5 minutes by car from Futtsu-Kanaya IC.
Checked against the notice list on the Mt. Nokogiri Ropeway official site and the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association page “First sunrise spots in Chiba 2026” (Japanese).
| Name | Mt. Nokogiri Ropeway |
|---|---|
| Address | 4052-1 Kanaya, Futtsu City, Chiba |
| Phone | 0439-69-2314 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Tokyo Bay Ferry
On January 1, 2026 you could watch the first sunrise from the deck on the 6:40 sailing from Kurihama Port and the 6:30 sailing from Kanaya Port. A sightseeing ticket for the round trip without getting off at the other port was ¥1,400 for adults and ¥700 for elementary school children. Capacity is 680 and no reservation is needed.
For people walking to Kurihama Port, numbered tickets were handed out after the terminal opened, and the 6:40 sailing closed when they ran out. Parking is ¥600 at Kanaya Port and ¥1,000 at Kurihama Port. If you board at Kurihama, the sun is hidden by Mt. Nokogiri as you arrive at Kanaya Port, and you see the sunrise a second time as you leave.
Checked against the Tokyo Bay Ferry official page “2026 first ride: the finest first sunrise from the deck” (Japanese).
| Name | Tokyo Bay Ferry (Kanaya Port) |
|---|---|
| Address | 4303 Kanaya, Futtsu City, Chiba |
| Phone | 0439-69-2111 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Umihotaru Parking Area
This parking area is halfway along the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line, which links Kisarazu and Kawasaki, so you can see the first sunrise from the middle of Tokyo Bay. You go there by car.
Checked against the Chiba Prefecture Tourism and Products Association page “First sunrise spots in Chiba 2026” (Japanese).
| Name | Umihotaru Parking Area |
|---|---|
| Address | Nakajima-chisaki, Kisarazu City, Chiba |
| Phone | 0438-41-7401 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
7. Ibaraki
Oarai, Kamiiso no Torii (Oarai Isosaki Shrine)
On January 1, 2026 a special train, the “Oarai First Sunrise Train”, left Mito Station at 5:22 and connected to a “First Sunrise Bus” from Oarai Station to the shrine. The train reached Oarai Station at 5:40, the buses left Oarai Station at 5:45 and 6:20, and sunrise was expected at about 6:48.
Every New Year’s Day the chief priest goes down to the Kamiiso rock to worship the sun rising from the sea. The Oarai Tourist Association asks visitors to come on another day, because traffic is very heavy on January 1.
Checked against the Kashima Rinkai Railway announcement of December 9, 2025, “Oarai First Sunrise Train” (PDF) and the Oarai Tourist Association feature on New Year visits and first sunrise (Japanese).
| Name | Kamiiso no Torii (Oarai Isosaki Shrine) |
|---|---|
| Address | 6890 Isohama-cho, Oarai Town, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki |
| Hours / Closed | Gates open September–March 6:00–17:00 |
| Phone | 029-267-2637 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Mt. Tsukuba
The Mt. Tsukuba cable car and ropeway usually run an early New Year service on January 1, with the first departure at 4:30. The cable car fare is ¥1,860 round trip for adults and ¥930 one way.
The municipal car park on the cable car side (499 standard cars, ¥500 a day) is open 5:00–20:00, but December 31 and January 1 are handled differently. From Tsukuba Station on the Tsukuba Express, a shuttle bus to Mt. Tsukuba runs every day.
Checked against the timetable, fare page and access page on the Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car official site (Japanese).
Photo credit: Mt Tsukuba Cable Car.jpg (photo by Nyao148, edited by Kzaral, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 3.0
| Name | Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki |
| Hours / Closed | December–February 9:20–16:40 (early morning service from 4:30 on January 1 in typical years) |
| Phone | 029-866-0611 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
8. Choosing by purpose
For the earliest first sunrise, go to Cape Inubosaki. To wait indoors, choose the nearby Chikyu-no-Marukumieru-Oka Observatory or Choshi Port Tower.
To go by train alone, choose the three places in Choshi within walking distance of Inubo Station, or Oarai, which had a special train and bus.
To watch from the sea, take the Tokyo Bay Ferry; to watch from a mountain, take the Mt. Nokogiri Ropeway or go to Mt. Tsukuba.
If you drive to the Kujukuri or Sotobo beaches, look for a nearby car park beforehand so you do not circle in the dark looking for a space.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is the sunrise time for January 1, 2027 known?
A. The 2027 announcements from each facility are not out yet. On January 1, 2026 the sunrise was about 6:46 at Inubosaki and about 6:48 on the Oarai coast.
Q. Are there no first sunrise spots in Kanagawa?
A. Enoshima and Yokohama are not listed because no special January 1 notice could be confirmed on official pages as of October 31, 2026. From Kanagawa you can use the Tokyo Bay Ferry from Kurihama Port.
Q. How can I see it from an observation deck in Tokyo?
A. Skytree and other Tokyo observation decks are in the Tokyo first sunrise article (Japanese).
Sources
10 pages we checked
Checked with official pages on October 31, 2026 (Japan time).
