[1] Sakura Castle fell to Honda Tadakatsu and Sakai Ietsugu of the Tokugawa army during the Siege of Odawara (1590).

Under the orders of his Lord, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Doi Toshikatsu started construction of this castle in 1610.

It was based on the foundations and unfinished work of the Chiba clan, who had started building Kashima Castle on the same site, in the earlier Sengoku period.

Sakura Castle was considered a location of strategic importance, in particular as it protected the eastern flank of Edo.

The defensive lines were reinforced by deep, dry moats, and earthen embankments (ramparts) demarcated the baileys.