Become a Samurai Warrior in the Bamboo Groves Neighboring Narita Airport

Located between Narita Airport and the city of Chiba, Sakura was once the prosperous Sakura Domain (佐倉藩), and the samurai of the Hotta clan ruled over the area, protecting both the people and precious cultural sites like Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. Today, visitors to Sakura can still explore the ruins of Sakura Castle, along with a handful of beautifully-preserved houses that once belonged to local samurai, called "bukeyashiki" (武家屋敷).

Sakura offers samurai cosplay options for visitors exploring the samurai houses, but no warrior is content staying home all day! Down the street from the three bukeyashiki is a path that curves down Hiyodorizaka Slope (ひよどり坂), right through the center of a thick grove of bamboo. The tall stalks of bamboo create an atmosphere that blows the more popular bamboo grove in Kyoto's Arashiyama right out of the water. Slipping softly down the many steps along the path, with the quiet rustling of bamboo in the wind and the feel of a katana at your hip, it's hard to feel like anything other than an Edo-era samurai.