The Sakura Highway was an important secondary road during Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868), connecting the Edo area with Sakura Castle in present-day Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture. Historically, there were two major routes leading toward Sakura, each with a different background and purpose.
Historical documents from the Edo period often distinguished these routes as the Mito-Sakura Road and the Chiba-Sakura Road. Over time, parts of these routes also became closely associated with pilgrimages to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and came to be known as the Narita Highway.
The Mito-Sakura Road was officially designated as the “Sakura Highway” by the Edo shogunate. It branched from the Shinjuku Fork of the Mito Highway and continued to Sakura Castle.
The road was used by the lords of the Sakura domain and their retainers when traveling between their domain and Edo as part of the sankin-kotai system. At the same time, it was also used by ordinary people traveling to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple for religious pilgrimages.
From around the Bunka era (1804–1818), faith in Naritasan became increasingly widespread among the people of Edo. As the number of pilgrims increased, the road became popularly known as the Narita Road or Narita Highway. The name “Narita Highway” is still used today as an official road nickname in Chiba Prefecture and originally referred to part of this historic Sakura Highway.
The Mito-Sakura Road began at the Shinjuku Fork of the Mito Highway in present-day Tokyo. From there, it crossed the Nakagawa River at the former Sakai-no-watashi Ferry before continuing toward Sakura Castle.
Today, parts of the historic route intersect with or run near modern transportation routes, including the Keisei Kanamachi Line, the Hokuso Line, and Shibamata Highway. These modern roads and railway lines offer glimpses of how the historic transportation network developed over time.
After entering Chiba Prefecture, much of the route roughly follows the paths of National Routes 14 and 296. Important post towns along the way included Ichikawa-juku, Funabashi-juku, Owada-juku in present-day Yachiyo City, and Usui-juku in Sakura City. Beyond Usui-juku, travelers continued toward the castle town of Sakura.
Several historic roads continued beyond the Sakura Highway toward important destinations such as Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, the Kuju-kuri Coast, and Sawara in present-day Katori City.
In Shisui Town, the Narita Road branched off toward Naritasan, creating an important route for pilgrims. These connected roads formed part of the wider historic transportation network surrounding Sakura.
• Katsushika Ward, Tokyo
• Edogawa Ward, Tokyo
• Ichikawa City, Chiba
• Funabashi City, Chiba
• Narashino City, Chiba
• Yachiyo City, Chiba
• Sakura City, Chiba
The Chiba-Sakura Road refers to the route running from the Hirokoji Intersection in Honcho 1-chome, Chuo Ward, Chiba City, through the Kamado Intersection in Sakura City and onward to the Kairinji Intersection.
The origins of this road can be traced back to the medieval period, when the powerful Chiba clan used routes connecting Inohana Castle in present-day Chiba City with Motosakura Castle in present-day Shisui Town.
During the Edo period, the Sakura domain improved and maintained the road, which became an important connection between Sakura Castle and Samukawa Port, an area corresponding to today’s Port of Chiba.
Because it was used to transport rice collected as land taxes to warehouses at Samukawa Port, the route was also known as the “Southern Tax Rice Road.” It was also used by pilgrims traveling to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple via Chiba Myoken Shrine and Chibadera Temple. As a result, it became known by names such as the Narita Road and Narita-Chibadera Road.
Parts of the historic Chiba-Sakura Road correspond to present-day National Route 51 and Chiba Prefectural Route 22. The route remained an important transportation corridor from medieval times and was further developed during the Edo period.
Today, the route passes through the urban area of Chiba before continuing toward Sakura. Traveling along these modern roads provides an opportunity to follow a route that has connected the two areas for centuries.
• Chuo Ward, Chiba City
• Wakaba Ward, Chiba City
• Yotsukaido City
• Sakura City
Before the Mito-Sakura Road became established, another route was used as a major road to Sakura. It ran from Ryogoku Bridge toward the Arakawa River, generally south of the route followed by present-day National Route 14.
East of the Arakawa River, the route continued along roads corresponding roughly to Gobuichi-dori and National Route 14. This earlier route was also known as the Sakura Highway.
After the Mito-Sakura Road was developed, the older route became known as the “Former Sakura Road.” During the Meiji period, it was renamed the Chiba Highway. Parts of the old route are still known today as the Former Chiba Highway.
Another historic route branches from the Chiba-Sakura Road and is now associated with Chiba Prefectural Route 64, the Chiba-Usui-Inzai Line.
The road branches to the right at Monoi in Yotsukaido City and continues toward the former Usui-juku. Its origins can be traced to a medieval route connecting Usui Castle and Inohana Castle.
During the Edo period, it was also known as the “Northern Tax Rice Road,” reflecting its role in transporting agricultural taxes.
The Narita Highway branched from the Mito Highway at Shinjuku in present-day Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, and continued through Funabashi and Sakura before reaching Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita City.
The route became established during the Edo period and developed into an important pilgrimage road as increasing numbers of people traveled from Edo to worship at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple.
Historically, the Narita Highway was essentially part of the Sakura Highway, or Mito-Sakura Road. As Naritasan pilgrimages became increasingly popular, the name “Narita Highway” became widely used. The name remains in use today as an official road nickname in Chiba Prefecture.
• Funabashi City, Chiba
• Yachiyo City, Chiba
• Sakura City, Chiba
• Shisui Town, Chiba
• Narita City, Chiba
The Narita Highway developed a series of post towns where travelers could rest, stay overnight, and obtain supplies. These settlements played an important role in supporting travel during the Edo period.
Ichikawa-juku: Ichikawa City
Yahata-juku: Ichikawa City
Funabashi-juku: Funabashi City
Owada-juku: Yachiyo City
Usui-juku: Sakura City
Shisui-juku: Shisui Town
Teradai-juku: Narita City
The Sakura Highway and Narita Highway are more than just old roads. They are historic routes that connected Edo, Sakura, and Narita and supported travel by samurai, merchants, farmers, and religious pilgrims for centuries.
Following these routes today offers visitors a different way to discover the history of Chiba. Modern streets often follow or cross the paths of the old highways, while historic post towns, temples, shrines, and remnants of the former castle-town landscape provide clues to the journeys of people who traveled these roads during the Edo period.
For travelers interested in Japanese history, traditional pilgrimage routes, and the development of old castle towns, exploring the historic roads around Sakura can be a rewarding addition to a visit to Chiba Prefecture.