Orders

Odawara Castle

Name: Odawara Castle
Address: 6 Jonai, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0014, Japan
Rating: 4.1

4.1 (200)・Tourist Attraction・Historical Place・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Odawara Castle is a historical gem with roots stretching back to the 15th century. Located in Odawara, this castle was once a formidable stronghold for the Hojo clan, one of Japan’s most powerful samurai families. The castle you see today is a stunning reconstruction, capturing the grandeur and strength of its original design.

Walking through the castle grounds, you can almost feel the history beneath your feet. The stone walls, the towering keep, and the panoramic views of Sagami Bay all tell stories of battles fought and won. Inside the castle, exhibits bring the past to life with samurai armor, weapons, and detailed models showing how the castle was defended.

The castle grounds are more than just a historical site—they’re a place where culture and nature meet. In spring, cherry blossoms create a sea of pink around the castle, drawing visitors from all over. The gardens are meticulously kept, offering a peaceful retreat within the walls of this once-impenetrable fortress.

Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone

+81 465-22-3818

Website

odawaracastle.com

The area

Address

6 Jonai, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0014, Japan

Top ways to experience Odawara Castle

1 Day

Izuhakone Railway Daiyuzan Line 1 Day Pass

From $4 /person

approx. 7-21 days

Ultimate JR Pass – Travel All of Japan Freely

From $193 /person

What other travelers are saying about Odawara Castle

We passed by this castle on the way back from Hakone. From an outside perspective, there's always some sort of tree or pole in the way, making the road up the hillside slightly irritating. Once we reached the castle grounds, the view was unhindered and good to climb the stairs into the castle. I enjoyed the artworks on the mini lanterns hanging outside

Andrew Lam

Jan 10, 2025

Very cool castle. Lots of history and information in English. Reasonable price to enter and it is an easy walk from Odawara station. There is a nice Shinto shrine on the premises. The grounds are well kept and clean. Nice day trip from Tokyo or Yokohama.

Daniel Scott

Dec 29, 2024

Beautiful castle, maybe one of the easiest to get to and see from Tokyo. Has great views and is close enough to the ocean if you want to go there too. The surrounding area has some nice shops and restaurants as well.

Jay Lewis

Nov 13, 2024

“Top 10 castle in Japan” - we got adopted by an older couple on our way from the station as we were obviously lost which way to go (Google was directing us to the side entrance while we were trying to enter through the main one). They were very nice and the wife was explaining some history to me while I was translating for my friend. If you have time, go through the main entrance, you’ll get some really nice shots. I’m sure it’s beautiful in spring as the path was lined with cherry blossom trees. You can also climb up to the defense gates (ninomaru?) and see where they would have defended with bow and arrow. I’ve been to 4 castles in Japan and this one is def worth visiting - they do a wonderful blend of history lesson, preservation of the castle, and remodeled interior. The exterior is giving impressiveness of Himeji while the gates are a nice smaller size on par with Hiroshima. Interior reminds me somewhat of Osaka.

Alicia Toshima

Oct 30, 2024

Venture through the levels of Odawara Castle and visit the history. Cheap to enter and can buy a double ticket to see the Samurai museum. Afterwards we could wear a Samurai suit at a small price for upto 1hr. This is a great photo opportunity.