Sakura
Introduction
Sakura is a city in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It covers a total area of just over 103 square kilometres.
Before you go
Before you go, it helps to know that Sakura's name is not connected to cherry blossoms — the kanji used to write it are unrelated to the flowers — though the association lingers anyway. The city is a modest one, home to well over a hundred thousand residents. For planning, the city government runs an official guide site in Japanese only, with Google Translate built in, and the local tourist association also maintains a Japanese-only guide site. Expect to lean on machine translation for both.Getting there
Sakura is served by two train stations, Keisei-Sakura Station and Sakura Station, which together make the city easy to reach by rail. Trains connect Sakura with Tokyo, Ueno, Chiba, Sanmu, and Narita, including Narita International Airport, so you can arrive directly from the airport or from any of these cities without leaving the rail network.Getting around
Sakura is a small, compact town, and much of what you will want to see can be reached on foot. Many visitors simply set out from the station and cover the central sights without needing any other form of transport. Walking is also how you follow the Kashima River down toward the tulip and windmill area, a route that pairs naturally with a visit during the tulip festival.
- On foot: the town is small enough to walk, including the route along the Kashima River to the tulip and windmill area.
- By train: two stations serve the town, Keisei-Sakura Station and Sakura Station, with connections to Tokyo, Ueno, Chiba, Sanmu, and Narita.
- By bus: during the Tulip festival, cheap local buses run from the stations to Furusato Square, where the tulips and windmills are located.
- From the airport: Narita International Airport is directly connected to Sakura by train, so you can travel from a flight into the town by rail without arranging any other kind of transfer.
Public transport within Sakura is otherwise limited, and no details are given on taxis, ride-hailing, or a metro or tram network, so plan around the train, the festival buses, and your own two feet.
Where to stay
Sleep options within the city itself are limited, so you will most likely base yourself in either Narita or Chiba and travel in from there.
Food & drink
For food and drink in Sakura, the source material is thin. One option worth noting is Sadaf, an Iranian restaurant located at 602-32 Yoshimi, west of Sakura. Beyond that, no other specific places to eat or drink are listed here.What to see and do
Start at either train station, where the tourism offices can point you toward what is currently open and sometimes hand out free tickets and discounts. The city's history is the main draw: the National Museum of Japanese History covers the history, archaeology and folk culture of Japan across a very large site, and you should set aside several hours to do it properly. Nearby, the ruins of Sakura Castle sit in a pleasant park with a good view over the city, and the Former Residence of Lord Hotta, the last lord of the Sakura Domain, survives in well-preserved condition. You can also visit a group of original samurai houses, among the few such buildings left in Japan. For a change of pace, Furusato Square is a park built around a Dutch windmill, hosting a tulip festival each April along with special events in July and October. The Kawamura Memorial DIC Museum of Art, founded around the collection of a Japanese resin and ink manufacturer, holds a substantial and world-class assembly of works. Note that several of the historic houses and the art museum keep limited days, so check ahead before planning your day around them.Three days in Sakura
Day one: Start in Sakura, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is easy to reach before you branch out further. Expect Keisei trains and Sakura Station as your base. Trains run from Tokyo, Ueno, Chiba, Sanmu and Narita, and Narita International Airport is nearby. Many signs are in Japanese, so Google Translate helps. Walking along the Kashima River gives you a feel for the city. On the way, the National Museum of Japanese History is worth your time. By evening, return to Sakura Station for food and sleep.
- Keisei trains via Sakura Station
- Kashima River walk
- National Museum of Japanese History
Day two: Go beyond Sakura. From Sakura Station, public transport connects you to Tulip Furusato Square and Yoshimi. For a slower day, visit Sakura Castle and the Former Residence. One option for dinner is Sadaf, an Iranian restaurant. Before you go, check train times, as services are limited.
- Tulip Furusato Square
- Yoshimi
- Sakura Castle
- Former Residence
- Sadaf
Day three: Use Sakura as a base for Narita and Narita International Airport. Trains from Sakura Station also reach Chiba and Sanmu. If you have time, walk again along the Kashima River. Expect a quiet, easy day before you leave.
- Narita
- Narita International Airport
- Chiba
- Sanmu
- Kashima River