Sakura, Chiba, Japan with a mini trip to Inagekaigan Seaside Park (19 June 2024)

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Contents

1. Introduction

2. Plan to explore Sakura

3. Exploring Sakura

Introduction (By ChatGPT.)

Sakura, located in Chiba Prefecture, is a city rich in history and culture. Notable attractions include:

  • Sakura Castle Park: Ruins of Sakura Castle with scenic gardens and cherry blossoms.
  • National Museum of Japanese History: Comprehensive exhibits on Japan’s history and culture.
  • Sakura Juntendo Memorial Hall: Historic site of Japan’s first Western-style medical school.
  • Sakura Samurai Houses: Preserved samurai residences offering a glimpse into Edo-period life.
  • Sakura Kusabue-no-Oka: Family-friendly park with flowers, playgrounds, and farm animals.
  • Sakura Furusato Square: Famous for tulip fields and Dutch windmill, especially vibrant in spring.

Sakura’s blend of historical sites and natural beauty makes it a captivating destination.

2. Plan to explore Sakura

  • Visit the Hotta’s Former Residence (旧堀田邸(さくら庭園, 350yen/adult)
  • Visit old samurai houses. (Google maps:Bukeyashiki (Samurai Residences, Former Kawahara-San House, 250yen/adult)
  • Visit the samurai forest, which is just beside the old samurai houses (free)
  • Walk pass bamboo forest (Google maps: Hiyodori-Zaka, free)
  • Visit Sakura Castle Ruins (free)
  • Sidetrip to Inagekaigan Seaside Park in Mihama Ward in Chiba City.

3. Exploring Sakura

A river is always nice to have.

Heading towards Hotto’s Former Residence.

Walked about 25 mins to Hotto’s Former Residence. Entry fee was 350yen.

If combined with the Old Samurai Residences of 250yen and the old Memorial Hospital of 100yen, there is a package of 600yen. Since I was already planning to see Hotto’s Former Residence and the Old Samurai Residences, which already costs 600yen, I bought this package.

But in the end, I did not visit the old memorial hospital (Google maps: 佐倉順天堂記念館)

Hotto’s Former Residence has been used in shows and film to feature Edo themed homes.

Hotto’s Former Residence
Hotto’s Former Residence
Package for the 3 sites.
Hotto’s Former Residence
Hotto’s Former Residence
Hotto’s Former Residence

Headed towards the old samurai residences.

Walked past a bamboo forest along the way.
Watched anime where the characters would stay in such homes.
Map to visit the 3 old samurai residences.
Inside old samurai residences. Interesting how they collaborate with games to put up characters suitable for the place.
Inside old samurai residences.
Inside old samurai residences.

There is a free “Samurai forest” to visit beside the old samurai residences.

Samurai forest.
Samurai forest.
Samurai forest.

Along the way to Sakura Castle ruins is a nice small bamboo forest.

Into the Bamboo forest.
Nice small bamboo forest.
Map of Sakura Castle Ruins
Emergency food when you are in the middle of nowhere but hungry. I love the beef curry buns.
Wooden building for toilet.
Toilet with a view.
Errr. This is the Sakura Castle Ruins. But there is nothing. There is supposed to be the old Sakura Castle gate, but after seeing this, I decide to skip see that gate.
The view from somewhere in the Sakura Castle Ruins park.
Visited Makata Shrine along the way back to the train station.
800year old Gingko tree in Makata Shrine grounds.
The bamboo hanging over the road.
The view beyond the bamboo forest.

After visiting Sakura, did a quick trip to see Inagekaigan Seaside Park, in Mihama ward in Chiba City.

Inagekaigan Seaside Park with food trucks.
The huge beach at Inagekaigan Seaside Park. The pavilion at the left side is a bar selling drinks and you can sit there to enjoy the view.
There is also a big beautiful park nearby. I didn’t explore the whole park.

A Haiku a day

Title: Sakura City

Castle, can’t be seen.

Old samurai houses, past.

Homes, for present.

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Published by sgwilltravel

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