Odawara – Castle History, Craftsmanship and Literature

Odawara can be explored through a range of interests: castle history, local craftsmanship, literature, and a street lined with specialist shops and restaurants. If you’re looking for a hotel in Odawara, you can start by considering which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay. The places mentioned differ mainly in their historical connections and how they present local themes.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Odawara is about 30 to 90 minutes from Tokyo and Yokohama by Tokaido Shinkansen or JR Tokaido Line. This range gives you an initial guide when choosing how to travel; for your specific connection, check the timetable on the day of your trip. Odawara Castle is about a five-minute walk from Odawara Station. You can therefore treat the long-distance train journey and the walk to this particular destination as two separate planning steps.

Castle History and Historical Context

Around 1500, Odawara Castle became the seat of the Odawara Hōjō clan. It was then gradually expanded and developed, becoming an important center for the clan’s rule over the Kantō region. Most of the main bailey, most of the second bailey, and part of the outer fortifications of the Odawara Castle ruins are designated as a National Historic Site of Japan.

Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle offers a different historical perspective. It was built in 1590 as Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s headquarters during the siege of the Odawara Hōjō clan; the site was named Ishigakiyama afterward. The two historical themes can be distinguished by their timeline and political role: Hōjō rule and gradual expansion on one side, and Hideyoshi’s headquarters during the siege on the other.

Craftsmanship, Literature and Local Shops

The Machikado Museums highlight connections between the people, products and craftsmanship of local industries. They do this through carefully curated exhibitions, conversations with shop owners and hands-on experiences. This approach differs from the castle’s history: the focus here is on the connections between people, their work and the products they make. Those especially interested in craft processes will find a different way to explore Odawara here.

The Nariwai Exchange Hall offers experiences in making Odawara lanterns. This is a more specific focus on craftsmanship than the Machikado Museums’ presentation of local industries: here, the emphasis is on a particular product and how it is made.

The Odawara Literature Museum introduces the lives and work of writers who were born in or had ties to Odawara, using handwritten manuscripts and personal collections. The exhibition areas may change over time; if you’re interested in a particular person, check what’s currently on display before your visit.

Kamaboko Street is lined with kamaboko shops, dried-fish shops, katsuobushi shops, restaurants and wagashi shops. The mix includes specialist shops as well as restaurants, making it a specific focus for anyone interested in food and local shops. Individual businesses may change; if you want to visit a particular shop, check the latest information.

Discover more destinations: Yamato, Hiratsuka, Fujisawa, Hayama, Isehara, Yugawara, Chigasaki, Zushi

For the overview of the region: Kanagawa Prefecture.