Sawara is a historic merchant town in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture, known for its beautifully preserved riverside townscape. Once a prosperous river port connected to Edo via the Tone River water system, the area still retains rows of traditional merchant houses, storehouses, and narrow streets along the Ono River. Designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, Sawara offers visitors the experience of walking through a living historic town where waterways, architecture, and everyday life remain quietly intertwined.