I’m always searching for unique places to visit in Japan that are easily accessible from the main areas I typically stay in, like Tokyo.
Today, we will take a quick trip to Chiba, an area just outside of Tokyo, to learn more about Japan’s history, visit a colorful tulip field, and explore an area that has remained largely unchanged since the Edo period.
Let’s head over to Sakura City, Chiba!
Chiba Prefecture Overview
Chiba Prefecture, located just east of Tokyo, is known for its natural beauty and several distinct cultural sites and attractions. Most notably, Narita Airport, Tokyo Disneyland, and DisneySea.
Depending on where in Chiba you plan to travel, you can get to Chiba from Tokyo in 40 minutes to an hour and a half.
Either way, its close proximity to Tokyo makes it an excellent day trip, especially if you’re looking to escape the crowds there.
Sakura, Chiba is an area located relatively close to Narita airport, making it a convenient destination for travelers wanting to explore Japanese cultural sites shortly after arriving or before leaving Japan.
This video will provide places to visit in Sakura and a full one-day itinerary you can follow.
1-Day Sakura City (Chiba) Travel Itinerary
Sakura Furasato Square
Sakura City first came to my attention when I saw a photo of these colorful tulip fields near Tokyo.
Sakura Furasato Square is best known for its expansive flower fields and a Dutch windmill. It’s a popular destination for its seasonal festivals, which celebrate the blooming tulips in the spring and the cosmos in the fall.
The windmill at the square was built as a symbol of friendship and cultural exchange between sister cities in Japan and the Netherlands.
It was built using traditional Dutch techniques and materials, and it highlights the shared appreciation for horticulture and flowers like tulips.
The peak bloom period for tulips at Sakura Furasato Square in Chiba is early to mid-April, and for the cosmos, it is early to mid-October.
I also loved that you can pick your own flowers for a small fee.
I think visiting the flower fields is worth a visit if you do so in combination with the rest of this itinerary.
Information:
- Official Website
- Free entry; Open 24 hours a day
National Museum of Japanese History
The Rekihaku, or the National Museum of Japanese History in Sakura, Chiba, is one of the best and most comprehensive Japanese history museums I’ve visited. I learned so much during my time there.
All the exhibits were so well done and built out with incredible detail. Most of the descriptions near the displays are in Japanese, with some labels available in English.
However, even without reading the descriptions, the elaborate displays give a good gist of what each era in history was like.
If you’d like to enhance your experience, you can download their app for a free English audio tour guide.
The museum was opened in 1983 to promote research and exhibits on Japanese history, archaeology, and folklore.
The research institution behind the museum works to ensure that the exhibits are as comprehensive and detailed as possible for public consumption.
Out of all the history museums I saw during this trip to Japan, this one was one of my favorites. The displays were impressive, detailed, and easy to understand.
After walking through all the main exhibits, we decided to grab lunch at the museum cafe before taking off to our next destination.
Information:
- Official Website
- General Admission: 600 yen
Hiyodori-zaka Slope & Old Samurai Residences
After lunch, we decided to walk to our next destination, although if needed, you could also hail a cab or take the bus to it.
The Hiyodori-zaka is a slope lined with bamboo that holds historical significance due to its connection with the samurai culture during the Edo period.
Sakura City was an important castle town during this period, and the area around Hiyodori-zaka was part of the samurai district.
In short, the slope itself was beautiful and very quiet when we visited during the week.
The slope was a key pathway connecting the district at the time. Today, the site allows visitors to experience a piece of the Edo-period townscape and get a sense of what life was like for samurai and other residents in the area.
The slope is located near a collection of preserved traditional samurai houses from the Edo period.
These residences offer a glimpse into the lifestyle of samurai warriors and provide an authentic feel of Japan’s feudal past.
The houses are open to the public as museums for an entrance fee of 250 yen.
These cultural heritage sites are often included in walking tours available in the area. There’s even a tour available that provides an opportunity to wear a samurai costume and wield a sword if that’s something you’re interested in.
Information:
- Official Website
- Admission price:
- Free to walk the slope
- 250 yen to visit the houses
Final Thoughts
My biggest tip for venturing to areas like Sakura is to leave room to wander around and explore. Check out the local shops and cafes, stop, and take photos of the beautiful landscape.
After exploring the samurai area, we took our time walking down towards the station and popped our heads into a quiet local coffee shop for an afternoon pick me up.
I hope this video helped you find some new places to visit during your trip to Japan.
Until next time!
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