What was once the place of a battle scene, now became a quiet city not too far from bustling capital Tokyo. Odawara is not usually on the itinerary of foreign tourists, but if you are interested in Japanese history you might want to make the small detour. The city’s most famous sight is Odawara Castle, but what else is there to see?
Odawara Castle
Odawara city is situated in the southwest of Kanagawa Prefecture, 40 minutes away from Tokyo. Symbolic of the city is Odawara Castle. The castle is where the Hojo family rulers of the Kanto region during the Sengoku Period (late medieval period) resided. During the early years of the Edo Period (1603-1868) Odawara became one of the most important stops on the Tokaido Highway which connected Edo with the former capital Kyoto.
The castle you can visit nowadays is a replica that was built in the 1960s, and inside you can see an exhibition about the history of the castle. Additionally, you can view items used by its former inhabitants such as swords and armor. You can see a nice view of the surroundings of the castle, and it is an especially nice place to visit when the cherry blossoms are in bloom around late March-early April.
Luckily these are not the only flowers that bloom here, so you can see something in bloom almost year-round. The Ninja Museum and Samurai Museum on the castle grounds are also worth a visit. At the Honmaru Hiroba (square) of the castle, you can rent samurai clothes or kimono.
Other Things to Do
If you’re interested in Natural History museums, there is a very good one in Odawara. The Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History displays dinosaur bones, minerals, insects, etc.
If you can’t get enough of pretty flowers, you can check out the Odawara Flower Garden. Do you love nature, architecture, and art that explores mankind’s place in the universe and on earth? Then the Enoura Observatory might be an interesting place to visit. Families with kids should definitely not skip Odawara Wanpaku Land, an outdoor supersized playground full of activities.
Finally, the shinkansen platforms at Odawara Station are also one of the best places to take pictures of the bullet train.
Your Japan Tour
As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Odawara. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!