Samurai Oyado - A Soothing Guesthouse in Odawara

Odawara, a Town That Soothes Tired Travelers

It's easy to go to Hakone and Mt. Fuji from Kanagawa prefecture's Odawara city. Odawara has prospered as a town for travelers, especially those looking for lodgings, for over 300 years.

Samurai Oyado is a guesthouse near Odawara Castle and is a representation of those old style accommodations. This guesthouse is filled with the owners strong hopes of making it a place where travelers from abroad can re-energize themselves.

Consideration Is Key; Conveying the Spirit of Old Inns

What's most important when speaking to travelers from overseas is to see things from their perspective, and to be considerate of this.

This is what the owner Mr. Abe (on the left) and staff member Mr. Ozawa (on the right) say. Their thoughtful hospitality has led Samurai Oyado to have a high rating of 8.8 on Booking.com (as of March 2017).

The idea of starting the Samurai Oyado came from seeing the excitement travelers had at viewing historical or retro Japanese buildings while attending events in Japan. This led to the opening of Samura Oyado, with the revival of traditional inns as its concept.

Inns have existed in Japan for over 300 years and were once accommodations where samurai and other travelers stopped to spend the night in peace during long journeys. With this idea of a soothing stay in mind, Samurai Oyado has several key points to it that are sure to help its guests have a peaceful rest.

Soothing Point 1: Gorokichi Is Waiting to Greet You

When you enter the Samurai Oyado, you will be greeted by Gorokichi, the cat and mascot of this guesthouse. It's the perfect surprise for cat lovers. Gorokichi has an affectionate personality and likes to meet new people, and will not hesitate to approach the guests to say hi, even if it is the first time they are staying there.

Soothing Point 2: Polite and Friendly Staff

The choba (reception) and other signs were all hand-lettered by Mr. Ozawa

Starting with Mr. Ozawa, the entire staff is very friendly and will answer your questions about recommended spots and how to get there in detail, in English. Even questions or concerns that may arise from being in a place that you are not used to, they will do their best to give the best advice and information on.

Soothing Point 3: Healthy and Delicious Food to Please Body and Soul

It goes without saying that there's no additives in these dishes, says Mr. Abe

Samurai Oyado doesn't serve food, but you can enjoy delicious Japanese food that's made from dashi at the restaurant next door called Tsurukameya Shunkei.

This is their popular tempura rice bowl (1200 yen with tax). It has a bed of gently flavored rice with several pieces of crispy tempura on top that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

Soothing Point 4: Relax at Nearby Miyukigahama Beach

Odawara faces the ocean, and as such, it is only a ten minute walk from Samurai Oyado to Miyukigahama Beach. From the inn you can borrow a goza (a sheet to lay over the rocks) so that you can sit out and enjoy your coffee on the beach on a sunny day. With reassuring hospitality and a wide array of amenities, you are sure to feel yourself becoming refreshed and recharged both in body and soul at Samurai Oyado.

Museum Piece-like Furniture in the Rooms

Now let's take a look at some of the other services and amenities, as well as the types of rooms available here.

It costs 12,000 yen a night to completely rent out the room. This room has a lot of vintage items in it, which almost makes it seem like you are staying in a small museum. It's a lot of fun to look around at each piece.

The mixed dormitories cost 3000 yen a night. There is a shower with a bathtub and a coin laundry facility available here 24 hours a day.

Hit the Town in a Kimono

Now at Samurai Oyado you can rent a kimono for only 2500 yen to wear about town. Here, it seems that there is a different trick to wearing kimono than the standard means here, one that is meant to help those who have never worn one before. The reasoning behind this is that they travelers from abroad to genuinely enjoy their experience instead of having Japanese culture forced upon them.

Would you like to try out wearing a kimono yourself?

Over 700 Guests in the First Three Months

With Mr. Abe's attention and consideration for the travelers in mind, over 700 guests have stayed at Samurai Oyado from October to December of 2016. In the future, there are also plans to expand and open a guesthouse in the hot spring rich lands of Hakone. That way, even in hilly Hakone, guests from around the world can experience wearing a kimono with ease and the soothing atmosphere of this classic-style inn.

How about coming to Samurai Oyado in the soothing town of Odawara to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the staff?

Odawara Guest House Samurai Inn / Restaurant "Tsurukameya Harukei...

1-19-14 Sakaecho, Odawara City, 250-0011 Prefecture