Sakura Castle

Sakura Castle, located in Jōnai-chō, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, is an early modern Japanese castle that once served as the administrative seat of the Sakura Domain during the Edo period. Today, the castle site has been developed into Sakura Castle Park, designated as a historic site by Sakura City, and is also listed as No. 20 in the “Top 100 Japanese Castles” selected by the Japan Castle Foundation.

The castle was constructed on the western edge of Mount Kashima at an elevation of approximately 30 meters, making excellent use of the area's natural terrain. The Kashima River and Takasaki River flow along its western and southern borders, while the northern side faces low marshlands leading to Lake Inbanuma, providing natural defensive advantages. The earliest record of construction dates back to the Sengoku period, initiated by Kashima Mototane under the orders of Chiba Chikatane, lord of Moto-Sakura Castle. However, the project was abandoned after Chikatane’s assassination. A subsequent attempt by Chiba Kunitane also ended in failure after his death. This gave rise to the area's name, “Kashimadai”.

In 1610 (Keichō 15), Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered Doi Toshikatsu to resume construction, leading to the formal completion of Sakura Castle, which became the political center of the Sakura Domain. Several domain lords who held high positions in the shogunate resided there. Initially, lords were frequently replaced, but stability came when Hotta Masasuke (grandson of Hotta Masanobu’s younger brother) became lord, allowing the domain's administration to develop steadily.

The architecture of Sakura Castle is notable for not using stone walls. Instead, it skillfully leveraged the natural terrain and water systems, incorporating Lake Inbanuma as part of the outer moat. The three-story yagura (watchtower) functioned as a substitute for a main keep. After the Meiji Restoration, the castle structures were mostly demolished due to the Castle Abolition Edict, and the site later served as a base for the Imperial Japanese Army (Sakura Regiment).

In 1962, the castle ruins were designated a municipal historic site and opened as Sakura Castle Park. The park preserves key earthworks and moats, including the honmaru (main bailey), ninomaru, sannomaru, demaru, umadashi dry moat, tenshudai (main keep base), and bronze turret base. Remnants of Meiji-era military facilities are also visible. The Sakura Castle Park Center within the park showcases excavated artifacts, historical photographs, and models, providing visitors with deeper insight into the castle’s rich history.