Odawara Guide: this Old Hojo Castle Town

Odawara Guide:

If you talk with a guide about Odawara, she will perhaps tell you that this city is most famous for her castle. However there is much about Odawara that is interesting. There are many sites near Odawara as well that make her an interesting stop.

Pictured: Lake Ashi in Hakone, 30 minutes by switch-back train from Odawara Station.

Odawara Guide

The city is famous historically and well known for her castle and grounds. In the past 15 years the moat and castle grounds have been reconstructed to reflect what the castle must have looked like in centuries past. Well worth a visit if you are interested in castles or military history. Plus in the springtime the cherry blossoms around the moat will take your breath away. The castle is located about twenty minute walk southeast of Odawara Station. Head right as you exit the station and walk up the hill. Or take one of the many taxis parked out front. Odawara Castle in Japanese is pronounced: "Odawara-jo."Odawara is a typical Japanese mid-sized city except for its very nice castle and grounds.

Pictured: Odawara Castle moat

Odawara Guide Directions

To get to Odawara From Tokyo: you can take the Odakyu line from Shinjuku, be sure to get on a train with red kanji on the side, (usually to the left of the door) as this is the express. Be sure to get on one of the first four train cars as the train often splits at Sagami Ono and the back part heads off to Fujisawa. It will take approximately 90 minutes.

You can also take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara and that will take about 40 minutes or the Tokaido Line train from Shinagawa or Tokyo and that will take about 90 minutes from Shinagawa Station to Odawara.

Odawara Living is a blog all about this great part of Japan.

Torch Dancing in Hakone (Near Odawara)

For more on Odawara visit Kanagawa Living

Odawara Restaurant Guide: an English guide to the best in Odawara dining.

Chris and Kev (not me), resting after tennis in Odawara not far from the castle.

Odawara, a little known gem.

Odawara castle photos and guide

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