Sakura Shrine

Sakura Shrine is a Shinto temple in Tsuyama situated on expansive grounds featuring simple wooden structures, maintained pathways, and carefully arranged trees and stones throughout. The site includes several smaller buildings, stone guardian lions, and lanterns along the paths that create spaces for visitors to pause and reflect.

The shrine was founded in 1869 by Matsudaira Yoshinori, the final leader of Tsuyama Domain, on the site of a former fortress dating to the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. It received official status in 1877 and has since served as a memorial to Emperor Go-Daigo and samurai Kojima Takanori.

The shrine honors Emperor Go-Daigo and samurai Kojima Takanori, figures whose stories of loyalty and courage still resonate with visitors today. Locals view this place as a space to remember these historical figures and their connection to the region's identity.

The shrine sits approximately 15 minutes walking distance from Innoshō Station on the Kishin Line through pleasant neighborhoods with small shops and homes. The approach is clearly marked by a large torii gate at the entrance, making navigation straightforward for visitors of all abilities.

According to legend, samurai Kojima Takanori carved a message of loyalty into a cherry tree at the shrine before attempting to aid the exiled emperor, which inspired the shrine's name. This carved story connects the site to a tale of courage and devotion preserved in ancient Japanese texts.