Odawara Castle

Odawara Castle is a majestic historical fortress located in the city of Odawara, near the popular resort of Hakone in Japan. It is considered one of the most significant and famous castles in the eastern part of the country, largely due to its key role in the history of the Kanto region. Today, it is not just a monument of the past, but an entire complex attracting travelers with its beauty and rich heritage.

The main pride of the castle is its tall main tower, or tenshu. It reaches a height of 27.2 meters, making it the tallest castle tower in all of eastern Japan. After a large-scale restoration completed in 2016, the fortress appeared in a refreshed state: its snow-white walls and new roof tiles shine brightly in the sun, highlighting its architectural power and elegance.

Modern Odawara Castle is not just a historical structure but a multifunctional space that houses a museum, a picturesque park, and various cultural venues. Inside the tower, there is an exhibition dedicated to the castle's history, where you can see armor, swords, and ancient documents. The park around the castle is famous for its seasonal flowers, especially cherry blossoms, making it a wonderful place for a walk at any time of year.

To plan your visit, check opening hours, or learn about current exhibitions, we recommend using the official contacts of the castle complex. The most up-to-date information is always available on the website.

A visit to Odawara Castle offers plenty of activities for any tourist. One of the main highlights is climbing the main tower, which offers a wonderful view of the surroundings from the top. Inside the tower is a history museum where you can dive into the region's past. The exhibition tells the story of samurai life, displays their weapons and armor, and recounts the dramatic history of the Hojo clan and other castle rulers. Additionally, the castle complex features separate pavilions such as the SAMURAI-kan with its armor exhibition and the NINJA-kan, where you can learn about the Fuma ninja clan in an interactive way.

The area around the castle is just as attractive. Odawara Castle Park is a magnificent place for walks in any season. It is famous for its seasonal flowers: plum blossoms in winter, the famous cherry blossoms in spring, and azaleas, irises, and hydrangeas in summer. Festivals are held in the park during the cherry blossom season. For those who want to feel the atmosphere of the era more deeply, there is a unique opportunity to try on historical costumes — kimonos or samurai armor — and take memorable photos against the backdrop of the fortress.

Odawara Castle is also great for family vacations. Specifically for children, there is a small amusement park on the grounds with attractions like a mini-train. This allows young visitors to have fun while adults enjoy the historical and natural beauty of the complex.

Getting to Odawara Castle is quite simple thanks to its convenient location in the center of Odawara City. The main transport hub is Odawara Station, which is just a 10-minute walk from the castle. This station serves several major lines, including the Shinkansen high-speed trains, as well as JR, Odakyu, and Hakone Tozan lines, making it easily accessible from various parts of the country.

If you are traveling from Tokyo or the nearby resort of Hakone, the trip to Odawara won't take long. A journey by high-speed train, such as the Shinkansen, from these destinations usually takes between 30 and 40 minutes. This makes the castle an excellent option for a day trip from both the capital and the scenic mountain region.

Clear signs lead from Odawara Station to the castle itself, so it's hard to get lost. The path takes you through lively shopping streets, where you can browse local shops, and a beautiful park that sets the mood for your walk. For those who prefer to travel by car, paid parking lots are available near the castle complex where you can leave your vehicle during your visit.

The history of Odawara Castle is filled with dramatic events and begins in the mid-15th century when it was founded by the Omori clan. However, its true fame came at the end of that same century after it passed under the control of the powerful Hojo clan. They turned Odawara into their central base for governing the entire Kanto region. The castle earned a reputation as a virtually impregnable stronghold, successfully repelling attacks from legendary commanders such as Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen.

A key moment in the castle's history was the three-month siege of 1590, undertaken by the massive army of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Despite the defenders' resilience, the castle surrendered after its supporting fortresses fell and it became completely isolated. This event marked the end of the Hojo clan's rule. Subsequently, Odawara came under the control of Tokugawa Ieyasu and his vassals. During the Edo period, the fortress continued to play an important strategic role, protecting the western borders of the Kanto region and controlling the vital Hakone checkpoint.

With the onset of the Meiji era in 1870, a dark period began for the castle: it was officially abolished, and most of its structures were dismantled. The remaining fortifications were severely damaged during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. The tower visitors see today is not the original structure. It is the result of a large-scale reconstruction completed in 1960, which returned the castle to its majestic appearance and allowed its rich past to be preserved for future generations.

To fully enjoy a visit to Odawara Castle, located near the resort of Hakone, it is recommended to set aside 2 to 3 hours. This will be enough time to explore all the main parts of the complex without rushing: climb the main tower, study the museum exhibits, and take a walk through the scenic surrounding park.

A more detailed time breakdown is as follows: about one to one and a half hours will be spent exploring the castle's main tower (tenshu), which houses a history museum across several floors featuring armor, swords, and documents. The remaining time is perfect for a leisurely stroll through the castle park, famous for its seasonal flowers, and for visiting other small exhibits on the grounds, such as the Samurai pavilion. If you are traveling with children, it's worth allocating extra time for the small amusement park.

Odawara Castle is typically open to visitors daily. The standard opening hours for the main tower are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with entry to the grounds closing 30 minutes before closing time, at 4:30 PM. It is important to note that the schedule may change depending on the season, national holidays, and specific days for maintenance work. For example, the castle may be closed on the second Wednesday of December and during the New Year holidays.

The castle is accessible for visits year-round, but it is always best to check the latest information on the official website to guarantee your visit. Advance ticket booking for individual tourists is generally not required; however, purchasing tickets online can help avoid queues, especially during peak tourist season. Group tours or participation in special events may require advance registration.

Visiting Odawara Castle is just the beginning of a fascinating journey through this historical region of Japan. To make the most of your trip, it is worth exploring the surrounding areas. The district around the castle, including Odawara City and the neighboring resort of Hakone, offers numerous cultural, natural, and entertainment sites that will perfectly complement your visit.

A stroll through nearby attractions will allow you to immerse yourself deeper in the region's atmosphere, get to know its rich history, and enjoy picturesque landscapes. Below is a list of interesting places located near the castle that could become part of your itinerary.