Sakura Castle

Sakura Castle (佐倉城, Sakura-jō) was a 17th-century castle, now in ruins, in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture. It was designated one of Japan's Top 100 Castles by the Japanese Castle Foundation.

Sakura Castle fell to Honda Tadakatsu and Sakai Ietsugu of the Tokugawa army during the Siege of Odawara (1590). Chiba Shigetane, daimyō of the Chiba clan, surrendered the castle to the besieging forces on the condition that his clan would not be abolished.

Under the orders of his Lord, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Doi Toshikatsu started construction of this castle in 1610. It was completed in 1617. It was based on the foundations and unfinished work of the Chiba clan, who had started building Kashima Castle on the same site, in the earlier Sengoku period.

During the Edo era, it was ruled by powerful lords, all loyal to the Tokugawa rule. Sakura Castle was considered a location of strategic importance, in particular as it protected the eastern flank of Edo. At its peak it was a large complex; however, it was noted for having no stone walls. The defensive lines were reinforced by deep, dry moats, and earthen embankments (ramparts) demarcated the baileys. The main keep was actually a yagura relocated from Edo Castle. The park was used as an army barracks during World War II.

There is little left of the original castle, except for the moats, earthen walls, and some stone stairs. The National Museum of Japanese History stands on the site of the castle.

Text adapted from “Sakura Castle” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sakura Castle ranks #2,162 of 8,133 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #131 of the 297 mapped in Japan. Founded 1610, it is older than 31% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 626 atlas entries founded in the 17th century. Its Wikipedia articles were opened 3,745 times in the last 60 days, more than 80% of the atlas. 1 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Chiba, 16 km away. See how Japan compares in the castle statistics.

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