Day Trip to the Closest Feudal Castle Town from Tokyo
Odawara Castle and surrounding grounds in Kanagawa Prefecture are just a short trip from the Tokyo metropolitan area, making them ideal destinations for urban dwellers looking to get away from the bustle of the city for a day. In the few circles in which Odawara is known, its claim to fame is having the closest feudal castle to Tokyo; it’s around 50 miles away. The castle boasts a fascinating history and is also a favorite flower-viewing spot.
The Odawara Castle is a place that you must definitely see. It is about a 15-minute walk from the train station passing through a variety of souvenir shops. Just looking at these shops is already entertaining and it increases the spirit of “I’m in a castle town.” The way the castle town is planned is different from modern cities. This may make you feel that you are time-traveling. The main attraction here is to climb up the castle to enter the viewing room or the “tenshukaku.” Being the 7th highest castle in Japan, it offers you a 360-degree panoramic view from the top, where you can take a glance of the deep blue Sagami Bay, the beautiful Hakone mountains, and the cozy city of Odawara.
Originally, Odawara has been popular for seafood, processed fish paste called “kamaboko,” and the Japanese prime plum (ume). Aside from those, soba is also one of Odawara’s local dishes and you can easily find Soba restaurants in the area.
Odawara is a city with history, fresh seafood, and a great view of mountains and the Sagami Bay. If you are planning to visit Atami or Hakone for a weekend onsen trip, Odawara is on the way. So why not get off the train and enjoy the experience of the castle and wander around this charming and cozy town for a while?
The Odawara Castle is a place that you must definitely see. It is about a 15-minute walk from the train station passing through a variety of souvenir shops. Just looking at these shops is already entertaining and it increases the spirit of “I’m in a castle town.” The way the castle town is planned is different from modern cities. This may make you feel that you are time-traveling. The main attraction here is to climb up the castle to enter the viewing room or the “tenshukaku.” Being the 7th highest castle in Japan, it offers you a 360-degree panoramic view from the top, where you can take a glance of the deep blue Sagami Bay, the beautiful Hakone mountains, and the cozy city of Odawara.
Originally, Odawara has been popular for seafood, processed fish paste called “kamaboko,” and the Japanese prime plum (ume). Aside from those, soba is also one of Odawara’s local dishes and you can easily find Soba restaurants in the area.
Odawara is a city with history, fresh seafood, and a great view of mountains and the Sagami Bay. If you are planning to visit Atami or Hakone for a weekend onsen trip, Odawara is on the way. So why not get off the train and enjoy the experience of the castle and wander around this charming and cozy town for a while?
