Chido Museum

In 1950, the former Shonai Domain lord, Sakai Family, donated their family cultural assets and buildings for the local cultural education. Sakai Family began with Sakai Tadatsugu, one of the four generals serving Tokugawa Ieyasu. The family governed Shonai from the Edo Period until the Meiji Revolution and made efforts to develop the area.

The grounds correspond to the outer area of Tsurugaoka Castle where Sakai Family’s residence for official business used to be. Today, some remains of the Former Shonai Domain Lords’ Retirement Residence stand there. From its back room, you can have the most beautiful view on the national great scenic place, Sakai’s Old-style Japanese Garden, which is a rare shoin (study) garden in Tohoku Region.

Inside the Museum, there are important cultural properties - Former Nishidagawa District Office built in mock western style, Former Tsuruoka Police Station, a home at the foot of Mt. Yudono in Tamugimata built in the Edo Period, and Former Shibuya Family residence. These were transferred here, which are preserved and used for permanent exhibitions of archaeological, historical and ethnological information.