Combine Chiba monorail with…?

I really want to ride the Chiba monorail, but i have no other plans for Chiba or the area around. I wouldnt want to spend a day just for a 15 min train ride. Any recommendations for what i can do in and around Chiba? Im into more traditional stuff and food. Ive read about Sawara being great, but looking at google maps there is like 1 good street and the rest seems not that special. Any experiences there? Anyway anything is appreciated. If i dont find something fun i guess ill skip on the monorail :/. (I know there is also one from Haneda to Tokyo but that doesnt fit my schedule).