Sakura Castle is classified as a hilltop castle (its layout: Renkakushiki), and is located in Chiba Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Shimōsa Province. It is associated with the Doi, Hotta clans. Dates in use: 1610 - 1873.

Standing in contrast to the castle ruins from other parts of Japan, Sakura Castle is and was bare of stone work. Despite this fact, the castle was regarded as being well-fortified owing to the deep, empty moats and steep earthen embankments.

It's most unfortunate that no buildings have survived. There was a three-layer main-tower but that burnt down in 1813. A pair of gates and the Dō Turret had managed to survive through to the beginning of the Meiji period. Old photographs of these buildings can be seen on signposts around the site.

The Dō Turret was a two-story building located mere meters to the Northeast of Sakura Castle's main tower, and unusually, it had a copper roof (dōkawara buki - 銅瓦葺). This turret was said to have been originally built as a three-layered structure at Edo castle during Ōta Dōkan's lifetime (1432 - 1486). Wow.

Timeline

1610	The Doi clan built the castle over a seven year period over the top of the ruins of former fortifications (Kashima Castle) of the Chiba clan.
1799	The San-no-maru Palace was built.
1813	The main tower burnt down. It was never rebuilt.

Historical recognition

Site	City Historic Site