Sakuragawa City Makabe Traditional Buildings Preservation District

Overview

The Sakuragawa City Makabe Traditional Buildings Preservation District, located in Makabe-machi, Makabe, Sakuragawa City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is an area where many historical buildings from the late Edo period to the early Showa period remain. Designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, it offers a charming streetscape perfect for a leisurely stroll. Makabe's town layout was established during the late Sengoku period by the Makabe clan and completed during the early Edo period under the Asano clan. Existing intersections, known as 'masugata' (枡形), are characteristic of castle towns, and within this grid pattern, historical buildings such as storehouses and gates still stand. The district boasts numerous well-preserved buildings, vividly reflecting the past, including wooden machiya (townhouses), clay storehouses (dozo), authentic gates, and a stone former post office. The area also features many historical sites such as the Makabe Castle ruins and the Goso Koma-taki Shrine. The Makabe Castle ruins are the remains of the castle built by the Makabe clan. Today, the remains of the main keep and moats allow visitors to imagine the castle's former grandeur. Goso Koma-taki Shrine, a long-venerated guardian shrine of Makabe, features centuries-old cedar trees, creating a sacred and serene atmosphere. The Sakuragawa City Makabe Traditional Buildings Preservation District is a captivating tourist spot where you can immerse yourself in history and culture. Visit and savor the nostalgic Japanese landscape.