Did the vibrant cherry blossoms whisper tales of Sakura Higashi Junior High School’s founding? Probably not, but here at Sakura Higashi Junior High, nestled in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, stories bloom as brightly as those famous cherry blossoms. Sakura City itself is a fascinating place. It’s steeped in history, dating back to the Kofun period, with samurai houses and the ruins of Sakura Castle dotting the landscape. Sakura Higashi Junior High is part of this rich tapestry. While the school’s own history might not stretch back centuries, it plays a vital role in the modern narrative of Sakura. It’s one of eleven public middle schools operated by the city, nurturing young minds in a city brimming with educational institutions, from elementary schools to universities. Imagine the halls bustling with students, the classrooms alive with learning, against the backdrop of a city that has always valued education. This legacy extends back to the Edo period, when Sakura was a center for rangaku studies, a period of great intellectual ferment. Even then, Sakura’s educational institutions, like the Juntendō school, contributed to the Meiji Restoration. That spirit of progress, that drive for knowledge, continues to this day within the walls of Sakura Higashi Junior High. The school contributes to Sakura’s present just as Sakura’s past informs its present. From the National Museum of Japanese History to the De Liefde windmill, reminders of Sakura’s journey through time are everywhere. Sakura Higashi Junior High is a part of that ongoing journey.
Yamakura Dam
Here, before us, lies the Yamakura Dam. Did you know it is home to Japan’s largest floating solar power plant?