Why is Minamiboso Warm in Winter? The Charm of "Kotatsu Glamping" in Futtsu, Chiba

Approximately 70 to 90 minutes by car or highway bus from Tokyo.

The Minamiboso area in Chiba Prefecture is known as a region where you can spend relatively warm days even in winter, and its popularity as a destination for "winter trips to avoid the cold" is increasing.

The satoyama of Takamizo, Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, where Washinmura is located, also features the mild winters typical of Minamiboso.

During the season when the air is clearest, more and more people are visiting seeking an accommodation experience complete with kotatsu (heated tables), mandarin oranges, cats, hot pots, and a sauna.

In this article, we introduce

**"Why is Minamiboso warm in winter?"**

**"How to warm your five senses in winter at Washinmura"** in an easy-to-understand way from a traveler's perspective.

## 1. Reasons Why Minamiboso is Warm Even in Winter

## 1-1. The Kuroshio Warm Current Makes Winter Coldness Mild

Minamiboso is strongly influenced by the Kuroshio, a warm ocean current flowing north through the Pacific Ocean.

Thanks to the warm air brought by the Kuroshio,

**"There are many sunny and warm days even during winter"**

This is a key characteristic.

## 1-2. The Topography of the Boso Peninsula Surrounded by the Sea on Three Sides

Because the Boso Peninsula has an open topography to the sea, cold air does not easily stagnate,

making it an environment where temperatures tend to be stable even in winter.

## 1-3. A Warm Region Where Citrus and Flowers Grow Even in Winter

Minamiboso is an area where crops grow from winter through early spring.

Canola flowers, kumquats, and Boshu mandarin oranges bear fruit even in winter,

and it is known as **"the place where spring comes earliest"**.

#### 2. "Boshu Mandarin Oranges" Symbolizing the Minamiboso Winter

The taste that represents Minamiboso in winter is **Boshu mandarin oranges**.

At Washinmura during the winter season, we offer Boshu mandarin oranges purchased directly from farmers in Minamiboso.

### Characteristics of Boshu Mandarin Oranges

* Golden ratio of sweetness and acidity
* Rich flavor nurtured by sea breezes and sunlight
* Small size, thin skin, and highly aromatic

The time spent savoring seasonal mandarin oranges while sitting under a kotatsu is

nostalgic for anyone and a special moment that evokes the "desire to return to winter".

Winter often has the image of being a "cold season where it's hard to move around",

but the warmth of Minamiboso combined with Washinmura's facilities

realize a **"winter camping experience you can enjoy without worrying about the cold"**.

The "Five Warmths" Symbolizing Winter at Washinmura

Winter at Washinmura is not just about "temperature",

you can experience **"warming the five senses that relaxes your heart"**.

#### 3-1. Kotatsu in All Guest Rooms

At Washinmura,

* Old folk house type
* Nordic tent
* Jyubako (snow peak hinoki trailer house)

We provide kotatsu in all guest rooms.

Even if it is cold outside,

you can enjoy **"the ultimate winter time eating mandarin oranges in a kotatsu"**

in any room.

Protected cats live leisurely in the satoyama of the facility.

Seeing them curled up in the sun or near the kotatsu futon is a winter tradition at Washinmura.

The combination of **Kotatsu x Cats x Mandarin oranges**

is a popular winter travel keyword on SNS,

and is highly engaging content for photo and video posts.

#### 3-3. Winter Limited "Homemade Yakuzen Hot Pot Plan"

We also offer a hot pot plan perfect for the cold season.

It is a winter gourmet meal that warms you to the core, finishing with a well-balanced mix of seasonal vegetables and three types of meat: beef, pork, and chicken.

The hot pot plan utilizing the bounties of the sea and land of Minamiboso is also a winter specialty.

## 3-4. Authentic "Sauna Experience" Beyond the Kotatsu

At Washinmura, we have a **Sauna** that is highly recommended especially in winter.

The cold open-air bath in the satoyama is truly the best part of a winter sauna.

The Charm of the Washinmura Sauna Experience

* Soft steam utilizing natural materials
* Calm lighting and the scent of wood
* Time to "totonou" (reorganize/refresh) in the quietness of the satoyama
* **The one-of-a-kind route going straight to the kotatsu** after the sauna

The flow of **"Sauna -> Open-air bath -> Kotatsu -> Mandarin oranges"**

is the "ultimate warming loop" that can only be experienced at Washinmura in winter.