Right now, it’s cherry blossom season in Japan, and it honestly feels like the entire world is here to soak in spring’s natural beauty. As someone who can’t stand crowds, though, the swarms of international visitors that descend on the country this time of year are kind of a buzzkill. Thankfully, while the area around Naka-meguro has become almost unbearable, there are still plenty of other great spots in and around Tokyo that mainly attract local cherry blossom chasers. Today, we’ll be checking out one of those hidden gems — the former castle town of Sakura.
Now, before I go confusing any Japanese speakers out there, let me clarify that the kanji for the topic of this post is different from the one used for the iconic cherry blossoms. While I’ll admit I titled this piece as a bit of a pun — since both the blossoms (桜) and this hidden gem (佐倉) share the same pronunciation — the characters are actually different. Still, I can’t help but find it kind of funny that one of the best spots in Chiba Prefecture shares its name with the very reason you’d want to visit this time of year.
Anyway, before I get too sidetracked, let me just say that a day trip out to Sakura City is ideal for anyone looking to enjoy cherry blossom season somewhere in greater Tokyo — without having to brave the crowds at more mainstream spots like Yoyogi Park. Honestly, it hits that perfect “Goldilocks” middle ground: off the beaten path enough to feel like a hidden gem, but still popular with local residents. Best of all, it attracts few of the ill-mannered foreign tourists you’re bound to encounter elsewhere.
Also, as you’ll see in a second, there’s plenty more to see and do in Sakura beyond just catching the cherry blossoms at full bloom. A visit to this part of Chiba Prefecture doesn’t have to be all about hanami — though you could easily skip the other attractions and simply enjoy a picnic under the sakura with friends. That said, Sakura is also a place where you can dive deep into the Edo period (1603–1868) history of what was once the largest castle town in this region of Japan.
How to Get There
Let’s pause for a second to cover how to get to Sakura City from Tokyo. Confusingly, as anyone who has flown into Narita International Airport already knows, there are actually two ways to make the trek down to this section of Chiba Prefecture. You can either opt to take the Keisei Line down to Keisei-Sakura Station, or you can instead go to JR Sakura Station. In either case, you’re looking at around an hour and change in travel time.
As always, just refer to a service like Jorudan and let it do the rest of the work for you. Ultimately, whether you go to Keisei-Sakura Station or JR Sakura Station will come down to where you’re starting your journey from. Just note that if you opt to take JR’s Sobu Line down, you might need to make a transfer at Chiba Station along the way, as not all trains go as far as Narita International Airport, which serves as the terminus for this line.
After arriving, you’re going to want to make your way over to Sakura Castle Ruins Park. Located between the two aforementioned stations, this is where most of the action in the city is to be had. The space is home to hundreds of cherry blossom trees, as well as a few other points of interest. If you’re coming via JR to milk your rail pass, you’ll want to take the north exit and walk your way over. If you’re coming from Keisei-Sakura Station, you’ll take the south instead.
The National Museum of Japanese History
Seeing as the cherry blossoms’ appeal largely speaks for itself, allow me to focus more on Sakura’s other points of interest. As noted, you could just go to Sakura Castle Ruins Park and enjoy the marvels of Mother Nature during April. However, if you’re going to pick Sakura over another cherry blossom alternative around Tokyo, you should make the most of it and check out some of the other spots in this part of Chiba Prefecture. Otherwise, there are just easier-to-get-to options closer to the city center.
By far, the easiest addition to any standard cherry blossom viewing session in Sakura is the National Museum of Japanese History. As the name might suggest, this facility chronicles the history of Japan from the early mists of time all the way up until the modern era. Spanning six galleries, the National Museum of Japanese History is truly one of the best facilities in all of the nation when it comes to telling the story of Japan from ancient times through the Edo period (1603–1868) and into modernity.
What’s more, the National Museum of Japanese History is located right in Sakura Castle Ruins Park, meaning that you don’t need to go out of your way to explore its top-tier exhibits on the history of Japan. Thanks to this logistical convenience, the museum is the perfect midday break when viewing the cherry blossoms in Sakura. Entry will run you a few hundred yen, but it’s more than worth the price of admission — and that’s saying something coming from me.
The Hiyodori-zaka Slope
One other must-visit while enjoying the cherry blossoms in Sakura Castle Ruins Park is the Hiyodori-zaka. Found on the outskirts of the former castle’s central areas, the pathway runs through a small bamboo forest, as seen in the shot above that I took back in 2020 for the Host Town Relay in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics. Though indeed smaller in scale than somewhere like Arashiyama, the fact that fewer people know about this spot means you’ll likely have it all to yourself.
At the top of the Hiyodori-zaka slope, there are also a few old samurai residences that give visitors an added taste of history in addition to the springtime vibes. These three historic homes have been painstakingly preserved, and while the largest of the three will run you a few hundred yen to explore, the remaining pair are entirely free. Though located a bit farther out, there’s also the gorgeous house and garden of the final feudal lord, Count Hotta — a stately property well worth the extra effort if you’re a fan of traditional Japanese architecture and landscape design.
For most able-bodied visitors, the Hiyodori-zaka and the trio of old samurai residences are about a 10-minute walk from Sakura Castle Ruins Park. Personally, I suggest taking the route that passes by the Jonan Embankment Cherry Blossom Trees, as these flowers make for a pleasant stroll over to the Hiyodori-zaka — especially if you find yourself showered in pink petals as they drift down from the trees above. Just be careful of cars, as there isn’t much space for pedestrians.
Other Nearby Attractions
In addition to what I’ve listed thus far, there are also a few more spots worth checking out within the Sakura city limits, such as the De Liefde Windmill. Located in Sakura Furusato Square, this structure was constructed in 1994 to commemorate the city’s 40th anniversary and symbolizes the enduring friendship between the Japanese and the Dutch. Surrounded by vibrant tulip fields in spring, the windmill offers visitors a picturesque setting reminiscent of the Netherlands. During April’s Sakura Tulip Festa, you can enjoy over 70 varieties of tulips in full bloom.
If you’re looking to make the most out of your trip to Sakura City and have time after seeing the samurai stuff, you could also consider venturing onward to Narita. Though this area is best known for its airport, the location has long been a famous pilgrimage site thanks to the presence of the Narita-san temple complex. Located at the end of a long approach lined with vendors selling food and drinks, this compound is a great addition to any trek out to Sakura City.
While you’re in the Narita area, be sure to treat yourself to some unagi (freshwater eel). This regional meibutsu or local specialty has been beloved for centuries, and the restaurants lining the temple approach to Narita-san are famous for serving up some of the best in Japan. Grilled over charcoal and glazed with a sweet-savory sauce, the unagi here is absolutely to die for — tender, flavorful, and the perfect way to refuel after a day of sightseeing. Don’t leave without trying it!
Until next time travelers…
