Chiba is a big prefecture, and I would say this place is located in the middle of it, sort of. The story goes back to the 16th Century. The Hojo family was defeated by Hideyoshi Toyotomi at Odawara, then the first shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa entered Edo (currently Tokyo), starting Edo Era. Ieayasu appointed Tadakatsu Honda at this castle, Otaki-jo, so that he could overpower the local Satomi family.
When you arrive at your ryokan, take off your shoes at the entrance and put on the slippers provided. The slippers are used for walking around inside the ryokan. Your shoes will be placed in the entrance when you want to go outside. If you want to take a short walk near the ryokan, you may wear the ryokan’s sandals or geta (wooden clogs) provided.
AloJapan.com