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Yesterday, on the spur of the moment, we decided to go to Katsuura, to check out their big hinamatsuri.

If you remember, Kat went last year, her adventure is here.

We still missed the morning market because it takes almost 4 hours to get there by train.

FYI: The trains do not run too often in this area, so it was miss a connection to use the restroom then wait an hour for the next train or “keep going” until Katsuura.

We chose the latter and thankfully there was a toilet on the train on the last leg to Katsuura…whew!

Lunch was at Ocean, a tiny shop serving all sorts of things.

Satoshi tried their katsuo zuke don...1400 yen (tax included)

(This area is known for their large catches of katsuo.)

Raw katsuo (bonito) is marinated then placed on top of rice...he said he enjoyed this.

Kat tried the Katsuura Tan Tan men...950 yen (tax included)

This tan tan men is unlike the types with sesame paste in the broth, Katsuura style uses chili oil, large pieces of onion and minced pork.

The onion gets super soft and sweet when simmered in the broth, and amazingly the chili oil was not too spicy.

Mix everything well, so you aren’t just drinking a layer of oil 

Apparently, this dish was created to "warm" up the fishermen and ama (female divers) after a day in the cold ocean.

Loved the thin noodles!

You can find several shops in the area serving their own versions of Katsuura Tan Tan Men.

Unlike the weekday that Kat visited, this was a Sunday, so there was a line to see the hinamatsuri at Tomisaki Shrine.

Kat just took a photo from afar

After a 6 year hiatus, they brought back the large display of dolls at Kuste, the local culture center.

Since I had heard there was a slope/hill to be climbed to get to the center, I kinda didn’t want to see this display, but I’m glad I did, it was amazing to see! 

an auditorium full of dolls!

Many many dolls and many many people too.

500 yen entrance fee at Kuste, but free if you came by train and received one of their free tickets! luckily we received a free ticket.

A small sign that Spring is coming...

I'm glad Satoshi was finally able to experience this event.

Ocean

701-4 Tona

Katsuura, Chiba

Hours: 9:00-20:00 (Mondays-Fridays), 11:00-20:00 (Saturdays & Sundays)