Bōsō Peninsula

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Bōsō Peninsula

The Bōsō Peninsula is a large piece of land on Honshu, Japan, forming the entire Chiba Prefecture. It’s part of the Greater Tokyo Area and lies along the eastern edge of Tokyo Bay, separating Tokyo Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The peninsula covers about 5,034 square kilometers.

Geography and landscape
The peninsula is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east and south, Tokyo Bay to the west, and the Edo and Tone rivers to the north. The southern part is dominated by the Bōsō Hill Range and is quite hilly. The highest point is Mount Atago in Minamibōsō and Kamogawa, at 408.2 meters. From south to north, the hills give way to the Shimōsa Plateau, which covers much of northern Chiba and slopes down toward the Tone River.

How people use the land
The northern and western areas are highly urbanized. The Shimōsa Plateau and river valleys are used mainly for rice farming. The western coast hosts the Keiyō Industrial Zone, stretching from Urayasu near Tokyo to Futtsu. The Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line bridge-tunnel connects Kisarazu with Kawasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture, enabling quicker travel across Tokyo Bay.

Parks and nature
The northeast includes Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park, which spans Ibaraki and Chiba. Much of the eastern coast is part of Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park, preserving coastal areas and wildlife.

Etymology
The name comes from the old provinces that lay there: Awa, Kazusa, and Shimōsa. The Japan Meteorological Agency uses Uchibō for the west coast and Sotobō for the east coast.

Quick facts
- Location: Kantō region, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
- Area: about 5,034 km²
- Highest point: Mount Atago, 408.2 m
- Major rivers: Tone, Edo, Obitsu, Yōrō, Koito

The Bōsō Peninsula is a mix of hills, farmland, urban areas, and protected parks, making it a key part of the region around Tokyo Bay.