| Located in the Tokyo Bay, the Port of Chiba is Japan's busiest port. Eighty-two miles of coastline make it the largest port in Japan. Ruled by feudal families for centuries, the area we know as the Port of Chiba was founded in January 1921 by government designation. It is on a peninsula jutting into the Pacific Ocean with a varied coastline. Except for the hills on the southern peninsula, the flat land is the lowest in Japan, averaging 140 feet above sea level. The Port of Chiba has a large marine industry and high concentrations of industries within its coastal industrial zone. The Port of Chiba is surrounded on three sides by the ocean. It has a mild climate, being warm in winter and cool in summer. The warm current prevents winter frosts. Port Commerce The Port of Chiba has over 38 thousand feet of public mooring wharves with 94 berths. It operates 15 storage sheds, cargo-handling areas, and open storage. In 2006, the Port of Chiba welcomed about 4500 foreign trade vessels carrying 87 thousand tons of cargo and over 60 thousand domestic vessels carrying 56 thousand tons. Until the 1950s, the Port of Chiba's main industry was brewing -- soy sauce, sake, and mirin. Today, the main industries are the production of petroleum and coal, chemicals, and steel. In 2005, those industries accounted for 53% of the shipment value of manufactured goods. Commercial businesses in the Port of Chiba support an affluent life for 6 million residents and the regional economy. In 2004, almost 43,000 retail establishments employed over 330 thousand people and had annual sales of almost $5.5 billion yen. Cruising and Travel The Port of Chiba is dismissed by travel guides as Tokyo's suburb, and it's regarded by many to be the most boring city near Tokyo. |
