Sakura Castle Ruins Park Center 佐倉城址公園センター

Massive castle site, seasonal blooms

Sakura Castle is listed as one of Japan's 100 great castles, but don't expect to see a keep or gates. Everything was lost to fire and the castle destruction that occurred after the Meiji Restoration. But it's still worth a visit. The center has a model of the castle keep and a commemorative stamp for the 100 famous castle sites. Within the park is a tea house that conducts Urasenke tea ceremony. What you can see of the castle's foundations is impressive and relatively undisturbed. Locations of castle structures are well signposted with photos from the Meiji era. If you're castle-bagging, this place is on your list for the meijo stamps. For casual visitors, I recommend coordinating your visit with cherry blossom, water lily, and ginkgo seasons.