Odawara Castle

Did Odawara Castle as a quick stop on the way out to Hakone and honestly it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. Way more to it than I expected. The castle itself is gorgeous. Reconstructed donjon, sure, but it looks the part from every angle and the grounds around it are seriously well kept. Walking up through the main gate area, the whole approach builds the experience the right way. Inside the keep is a legit museum. Armor, swords, banners, scrolls, old maps of the region, and tons of context about the Hojo clan and the famous 1590 siege. Even if you're not a history buff you'll get pulled in. The view from the top floor is the payoff — you can see all the way to the coast and on a clear day right up into the Hakone mountains. The park grounds are worth the wander on their own. We caught it right around cherry blossom season and it was unreal — pink everywhere, families picnicking, locals just enjoying the day. There's also samurai/ninja stuff for kids, and it's all done really well. Walkable from the station and easy to fit into a half day. Absolutely go.

Absolutely loved visiting Odawara Castle. The architecture is stunning and the entire area feels peaceful and beautifully maintained. The red bridge, surrounding trees, and historic atmosphere made the experience unforgettable. Everything was clean, organized, and easy to explore. One of my favorite places during my Japan trip. Highly recommend visiting if you enjoy history, culture, and scenic views.🫶🏻✨

Absolutely adorable castle with fascinating history. The top of the main tower offers stunning views of the surrounding area: the town, the bay, the east side of the Izu peninsula and Oshima island, and lots of cool mountains all over! The exhibitions are very informative, and there are a lot of samurai armor displayed across the two floors of the main tower and also the gallery across the main honmaru square (included in the main ticket). The castle area has lots to offer: excavated storage buildings, lovely little iris garden and a lotus pond, culture museum with displays of traditional homes and activities and local nature, there's also a children's playground (albeit temporarily closed), two shrines (one on top of the tower), interactive "ninja" attraction, old (now repurposed) stable house. The castle design is quite unusual, with interesting shapes made by moats and bridges. Overall it was a pleasure to walk around and explore the area. If I happen to be in the area I would love to visit again, if only for a brief stop.

For English speakers, make sure to arrive with Google translate ready to go. Very little English is on the placks so you have to translate on the go. The videos have English subs, so you're good to go there. Very cool goshuin at the castle, and the ticket covers the castle and the samurai buildings. Go early to beat the crowds and the school tours. Be ready for stairs. Totally worth it though!

We visited Odawara Castle during our trip and it was truly a beautiful and memorable experience. The castle is well-maintained and surrounded by spacious grounds, making it perfect for a relaxed walk while enjoying a glimpse of Japanese history. The structure itself looks impressive from the outside, especially with its traditional white walls and layered rooftops that give it a classic samurai-era atmosphere. Inside the castle, there is a museum with several floors of historical displays. The exhibits showcase samurai armor, swords, historical artifacts, and information about the Hojo clan, which once ruled the area. The climb to the top floor is worth it because the observation deck offers a panoramic view of the city, nearby mountains, and even the ocean on a clear day. It’s a rewarding sight after going up the stairs. The surrounding park area is also pleasant, especially during cherry blossom season when the trees bloom beautifully around the castle grounds. It’s peaceful, scenic, and great for taking photos. There are also small shops and food stalls nearby where you can enjoy local snacks. Overall, Odawara Castle is a must-visit if you’re in the Kanagawa area. It combines history, scenery, and culture in one relaxing destination.