Sakasai Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Bando, Japan
Sakasai Castle is a medieval fortress complex in Bando with reconstructed two-story towers, gates, and a main residence built on a gentle rise. The buildings sit amid former wetlands that once surrounded the original stronghold.
The fortress arose around 1450 under Tsunemune Sakai and came under Hojo clan control in 1536. It remained an active stronghold until its fall in 1590.
The restored main hall shows traditional Japanese architecture with tatami floors, sliding doors, and a rock garden that reflect medieval design. You can walk through these rooms and see how craftspeople built and arranged them.
The castle grounds function as a public park with parking available, and you can explore inside the reconstructed buildings. The paths are easy to walk and there are shaded areas and benches where you can rest.
Within the castle grounds sits a pond linked to a legend about a lord's daughter who drowned herself during the fortress's fall. Local visitors know this tale and have long regarded the spot with mixed feelings.
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