Chiba north · SakuraNo.111★Open in map →
Hiyodori-zaka
— the samurai's bamboo slope in Sakura
A curving lane about 160 metres long, walled on both sides by tall bamboo, running beside the old samurai quarter of the former Sakura castle town in Chiba — under an hour from Tokyo Station.
Hiyodori-zaka is a short, gently curving slope that runs along the edge of Sakura's old samurai-residence street. Tall bamboo lines both sides, and the city tourism site describes the scene as little changed since the Edo period (1603–1868). Traditional woven bamboo fences of several styles edge the path, and a bench partway down lets you pause in the green quiet. The city nicknames the lane the 'samurai's old path' (Samurai no komichi), and it is one of the most photographed spots in the castle town.
Why it stays quiet
It sits east of Tokyo in Chiba, off the main tourist route through Kyoto and Kamakura, and there is little English information about it, so most day-trippers never make the trip.
Background & history
Sakura was the seat of the Sakura Domain, and its retainers lived in the residence quarter beside this slope. Three former samurai houses nearby are preserved and open to the public: the Kawara, Tajima and Takei residences, all built in the late Edo period. The Kawara house is designated a Chiba Prefectural Cultural Property and is regarded as the oldest surviving samurai house in the city; the Tajima house is designated by Sakura City.
What to look for — in walking order
- The bamboo lane
- about 160 metres of curving path walled on both sides by tall bamboo
- Traditional fences
- yotsume-gaki, misu-gaki and teppo-gaki woven bamboo fence styles running along the slope
- Three samurai houses
- the preserved Kawara, Tajima and Takei residences, a short walk from the slope
- Kawara residence
- a Chiba Prefectural Cultural Property, considered the city's oldest surviving samurai home
How to enjoy it
Go early in the day, when low light filters through the bamboo stalks and the lane is at its quietest. The slope is about 15 minutes on foot from JR Sakura Station, or 20 minutes from Keisei-Sakura Station, and pairs naturally with the three preserved samurai residences nearby. In cooler months, the advance-bookable 'Samurai Sanpo' walk lets you try on period costume.
How to actually get there
- Tokyo Station → JR Sakura Station (JR Sobu Line Rapid, direct, ~40 min)
- JR Sakura Station → the samurai-residence row (on foot, ~15 min)
- The residence row → down the bamboo slope (on foot, a few min)
- JR Sobu Line Rapid to JR Sakura
- Tokyo Station →(JR Sobu Line Rapid, direct, ~40 min)→ JR Sakura Station →(on foot, ~15 min)→ the slope. Total about 55 min. From Keisei-Ueno you can also take the Keisei Main Line limited express to Keisei-Sakura Station (~60 min), then walk ~20 min. Trains on both lines run through the day, so no need to rush the last one.
- trains run through the day
- JR and Keisei trains back toward Tokyo run frequently through the day and into the evening, so there is no early cut-off. There are no scheduled buses to time on this route; the whole trip is train plus a short walk.
Before you go
- Cash
- The slope is outdoors and free to walk. The three samurai houses charge a small entry fee; carry some cash in case cards are not accepted.
- Closing days
- The slope is open air with no gate or hours. The samurai houses keep daytime hours and close in the evening; check the Sakura City site for the current times before you go.
- Another way
- JR Sakura Station is the shorter walk (~15 min); Keisei-Sakura Station is a little farther (~20 min). Either works.
- After you get off
- From JR Sakura Station it is about a 15-minute walk on paved streets, past the samurai-residence row, to the top of the slope.