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Odawara Travel Guide: 10 Places to Visit, Food, Access, and More
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Odawara, a city south of Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a pitstop for destinations like Atami and Hakone. Famous for the majestic Odawara Castle, traditional lanterns, and rich seafood, Odawara is a paradise for history and food lovers.
Odawara Travel Guide
The History and Charm of Odawara City
How to Get to Odawara
10 Places to Visit in Odawara
1. Odawara Castle
2. Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine
3. Minaka Odawara
4. Enoura Observatory
5. Saijo-ji Temple (Daiyuzan Saijo-ji Temple)
6. Gyokuho-ji Temple (Five Hundred Rakan)
7. Statue of Hojo Soun
8. Soga Plum Grove
9. Odawara Flower Garden
10. Odawara Fishing Port (Hayakawa Fishing Port)
Delicious Local Food in Odawara
Odawara Rice Bowl
Kataura Lemon
Odawara Fish Cake
Read also
The History and Charm of Odawara City
Picture courtesy of PIXTA
Odawara serves as a major transportation hub in eastern Japan. Whether you are heading from Tokyo to the Izu Peninsula, Hakone, or Nagoya, you will pass through Odawara.
Those familiar with Japanese history know that Odawara was once the residence of the Hojo clan who had great influence on politics during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333).
During the Edo period (1603-1868), Odawara was an important post-town station along the Tokaido road for travelers heading to Kyoto, making it very prosperous.
Odawara is rich in history, cuisine, and natural beauty. This article will help you discover the famous attractions awaiting you here!
How to Get to Odawara
Picture courtesy of PIXTA
Travelers departing from Tokyo to Odawara can take the Tokaido Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station or JR Shinagawa Station to JR Odawara Station.
From Tokyo Station or Ueno Station, you can also take the regular JR Tokaido Line train to reach Odawara on the way to Atami.
From Shinjuku Station, the Odakyu Line takes you to Odawara.
Those departing from Osaka, Kyoto, or Nagoya can take the Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama service heading toward Tokyo to arrive at JR Odawara Station.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Odawara
Odawara boats many attractions worth visiting, from Odawara Castle, a local landmark, to the Kamaboko Street, home to prominent fish cake manufacturers.
1. Odawara Castle
Photo by Pixta
Odawara Castle is the symbol of Odawara. During the 16th century, this castle was renowned for being impenetrable, successfully repelling attacks from famous generals such as Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin.
It eventually surrendered to lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) during a siege, serving as the center of eastern Japan during that time.
Photo by Pixta
The current main tower of Odawara Castle was reconstructed and completed in 1960, featuring an architectural style based on the Edo Period.
Picture courtesy of Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Creative Commons License Attribution 4.0
Visitors can overlook the entire city from the top floor of Odawara Castle's main tower. In spring, you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of cherry blossoms in full bloom from this viewpoint!
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2. Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine
Photo by Pixta
Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine is located within Odawara Castle Park and is dedicated to Ninomiya Sontoku, an influential figure of the late Edo Period.
Photo by Pixta
In Japan, Ninomiya Sontoku is known for his diligence, hard work, and intelligence. The shrine also features a statue of him studying while carrying firewood as a child.
The entire shrine is quite spacious and even has a cafe for visitors to relax. If you visit Odawara Castle and Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine, it's worth taking a moment to explore here.
3. Minaka Odawara
Photo by Pixta
Minaka Odawara is located at the east exit of Odawara Station. This multifaceted commercial facility is designed to recreate the atmosphere of the Edo period's Odawara castle town.
In addition to dining and shopping, Minaka Odawara offers various amenities like accommodations and a foot bath garden. Stop by this facility to relax and experience the warm hospitality of Odawara City.
4. Enoura Observatory
Picture courtesy of PR TIMES
Enoura Observatory is a modern art museum that offers stunning views of Sagami Bay. Artist Hiroshi Sugimoto designed the entire building, which was formerly a citrus orchard.
The interior of the facility is very spacious. Must-see spots include the Ancient Roman Theater Seating, where you can enjoy the view of Sagami Bay, and the Summer Solstice Light Corridor, where sunlight shines directly into the gallery during the summer solstice.
This venue operates by reservation only, so prior booking is required to visit.
5. Saijoji Temple (Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple)
Photo by Pixta
Saijoji Temple was founded in 1394 and is considered a sacred site in eastern Japan.
Photo by Pixta
Saijoji Temple enshrines the Tengu, fantastic creatures from Japanese folklore, and within the temple, you can see many offerings of high-soled clogs from devotees.
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Since these clogs require a matching pair to wear, Saijoji Temple has also become a temple where people pray for marital harmony.
Photo by Pixta
The solemn cedar tree-lined path within the shrine and the surrounding mountains have a history of over 400 years, exuding a mysterious atmosphere.
To reach Saijoji Temple, you can take the Daiyuzan Line from JR Odawara Station.
6. Gyokuhoji Temple and the Five Hundred Arhats
Photo by Pixta
Gyokuhoji Temple is best known for its main hall, which houses statues of the 500 Arhats of Buddhism.
These arhat statues were completed over several decades during the Edo period, more than 200 years ago. If you take a closer look, you will notice that each statue has a distinct expression. It is said that visitors can find an arhat statue that resembles them, so why not have a look and see if you can find yours?
7. Statue of Hojo Soun
Picture courtesy of Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Creative Commons License Attribution 4.0
The Statue of Hojo Soun is located outside Odawara Station and stands 5.7 meters tall, making it one of the largest bronze statues in Japan.
Hojo Soun (1456-1519) is a historical figure from Japan's warring states period who took over Odawara Castle in 1494. The castle would be the center of power for the Hojo clan in eastern Japan for nearly 100 years afterwards.
8. Soga Plum Grove
Picture courtesy of Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Creative Commons License Attribution 4.0
The Soga Plum Grove is the most famous plum blossom viewing spot in Odawara City, and every year from early February to early March, the Odawara Plum Blossom Festival is held here.
Photo by Pixta
Over 35,000 white plum trees are planted here, yielding 600 to 650 tons of plums each year.
During the Plum Blossom Festival, visitors can enjoy the plum blossoms with Mount Fuji in the background, as well as taste local specialties like dried plums and oranges.
9. Odawara Flower Garden
Photo by Pixta
Odawara Flower Garden is a park where you can enjoy various flowers and plants throughout the year.
The park features a tropical greenhouse that houses about 300 species of tropical and subtropical plants. There are also seasonal flowers like plum blossoms, roses, hydrangeas, and irises to admire!
10. Odawara Fishing Port (Hayakawa Fishing Port)
Photo by Pixta
Odawara Fishing Port is located in Sagami Bay, one of Japan's three major deep sea bays. Over 1,700 species of fish can be harvested here, many of which are not found in other parts of Japan.
On the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, a morning market is held, where visitors can buy local products like dried fish and fish cakes, and might even find fresh catches at great prices!
Photo by Pixta
Next to the Odawara Fishing Port is the TOTOKO Odawara Fishing Port Station, which sells fresh seafood and provides tourist information about Odawara City.
The second and third floors feature observation decks where visitors can enjoy delicious food while taking in the beautiful views of Sagami Bay.
Delicious Local Food in Odawara
Odawara is a transportation hub connecting major cities in eastern Japan so there are many delicious local dishes you must try.
Odawara Rice Bowl
Picture courtesy of PR TIMES
Odawara Rice Bowl is a dish you cannot miss when visiting Odawara.
For a dish to be called Odawara Rice Bowl, it must meet three criteria:
1) it uses more than one ingredient sourced from Odawara,
2) it is served in traditional Odawara lacquerware, and
3) it embodies the heartfelt passion that makes customers love Odawara even more.
There are many varieties of Odawara Rice Bowls, including seafood rice bowls made with ingredients from Sagami Bay and steak rice bowls made with premium Wagyu beef.
What’s most important about enjoying these dishes is to feel the love the restaurant has for its customers and for Odawara!
Kataura Lemon
Picture courtesy of PR TIMES
Kataura Lemon is a variety of lemons cultivated by farmers in the Kataura region of western Odawara over a span of 30 years. Kataura Lemons emphasize safety and flavor, with absolutely no preservatives added.
In Odawara City, there are many desserts made with Kataura Lemons, such as Kataura Lemon yokan (a type of jelly) and Kataura Lemon soda, allowing people to enjoy the refreshing aroma of these lemons.
Odawara Kamaboko Fish Cake
Picture courtesy of Odawara City Tourism Association
After about a 15-minute walk from JR Odawara Station, you will reach the old street known as Odawara Kamaboko Street. This area was once the site of a fish market, and today, many shops sell local specialties like fish cakes and dried fish.
Odawara Kamaboko Street restores the streetscape from the Edo period (1603-1868) to the Meiji period (1868-1912), allowing visitors to purchase snacks they want to try and stroll along the street to experience the nostalgic ambiance.
Enjoy Exploring Odawara
In addition to its historical background, the convenient transportation and the density of attractions In Odawara are also reasons why many people choose to come here on day trips.
Next time you visit Tokyo, consider including Odawara in your itinerary to experience its delicious seafood, tasty fish cakes, and the charm of this historic city.
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Main image by Pixta
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