Tại sao Sakura được gọi là ‘Kyoto thu nhỏ’? Lịch sử của một thị trấn lâu đài 110.000 Koku
The Eastern Fortress of Edo
During the Edo period, Sakura was not just a provincial town; it was the most vital strategic stronghold defending the eastern side of Edo (modern-day Tokyo). The Sakura domain held a prestigious status of ‘110,000 koku’, producing many top-ranking government officials (Roju).
Consequently, Sakura Castle was built with robust defenses, surrounded by magnificent residences of high-ranking samurai.
Miraculously Preserved ‘Traces of Edo’
While many Japanese castle towns lost their original landscapes to modernization and war, Sakura miraculously preserved its historical streetscapes to this day.
The earthworks, dry moats, and winding paths surrounded by deep greenery (like Hiyodorizaka) remain exactly as they were designed centuries ago to thwart enemy invasions. This serene and elegant scenery is exactly why it is called the ‘Little Kyoto’ of the Kanto region.
A Deep, Serene Japanese Cultural Experience
Unlike massive tourist destinations like Kyoto, Sakura City possesses a tranquility that feels completely disconnected from the modern hustle and bustle.
If you sit on the veranda of a real samurai house, listen to the sound of the bamboo forest swaying in the wind, and close your eyes, you can almost feel the presence of the samurai from hundreds of years ago.
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