旅Around Tokyo

Historic Towns

Sakura 佐倉

Samurai houses, a windmill and a great history museum

Prefecture
Chiba
From Tokyo
About 1 hour
Best time
April (tulips and cherry blossoms)

A castle town of the Edo period, Sakura combines preserved samurai residences with one of Japan's best history museums and a Dutch-style windmill surrounded by tulips.

Highlights

Samurai Residences

Three restored bukeyashiki houses on a shady lane.

National Museum of Japanese History

Rekihaku — Japan's history from prehistory to modern times.

Sakura Castle Park

Castle ruins with moats and cherry trees.

Sakura Furusato Square

A Dutch windmill and fields of tulips in spring, sunflowers in summer.

Kawamura Memorial DIC Museum of Art

Modern art set in landscaped gardens.

Getting there

  • Keisei Line from Ueno to Keisei-Sakura (about 1 hour).
  • JR Sobu Line from Tokyo to Sakura (about 1 hour).
  • Close to Narita Airport (about 15–20 minutes).

Tips

  • Rekihaku is closed on Mondays.
  • Sights are spread out — rent a bike or use local buses.

What to eat