Sakai Castle Ruins

Overview

Sakai Castle is a castle ruin from the Sengoku period located in Bandō City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Built by the Sakai clan during the Muromachi period, it fell to the Hojo clan. The Hojo clan then extensively rebuilt it, incorporating the latest technology of the time. Following the Odawara Campaign of 1590 (Tensho 18), which saw the Hojo clan's demise, Sakai Castle was abandoned. Today, Sakai Castle ruins are a well-maintained park. Based on archaeological research, structures like yagura (turrets), earthen walls, yagura-mon (turret gates), and wooden bridges have been restored, recreating the appearance of a medieval castle as faithfully as possible. There's also a pond called Kane-bori-ike (Bell-digging Pond), associated with a legend from the time of the castle's fall. Legend says that after the fall of Sakai Castle, Chihime, the wife (or daughter) of the castle lord Sakai Tsunefusa, threw herself into this pond wearing an ancestral bell. The pond was reportedly dug up many times afterwards in an attempt to recover the bell. Sakai Castle ruins are a valuable historical site where you can feel the history of the Sengoku period. The park also features well-maintained walking paths, perfect for a stroll. Admission is free, and ample parking is available, making it enjoyable for families.