Odawara

Just 40 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train, Odawara has a medieval castle with samurai exhibits, morning fish markets where you can eat fresh sashimi, and workshops where you can make kamaboko fish cakes. Walk along Sagami Bay's clear waters, visit the minimalist art spaces at Enoura Observatory, or use the city as your starting point for trips to Hakone's hot springs and Mount Fuji viewpoints.

Getting to Odawara

You can reach Odawara from Tokyo Station in 35 minutes on the Shinkansen bullet train, or in 90 minutes on the regular JR Tokaido Line. The Japan Rail Pass covers both options. From Odawara Station, you can walk to most main sites, and you'll find tourist information at the station's east exit.

Exploring Odawara Castle

The five-story castle rises above the city center, 10 minutes from the station. Walk through the original stone walls and across restored wooden bridges to reach the main keep. Inside, you can examine samurai armor, swords, and battle records across four floors. Climb to the top floor for views across the city to Sagami Bay. Children can try the obstacle course at the adjacent Ninja Museum, while the Tokiwagi Gate building houses additional weapons and armor in its Samurai Museum.

Local Food Specialties

At Suzuhiro Kamaboko Village, you can watch workers shape white fish paste into kamaboko fish cakes and join a workshop to make your own. The city's other specialty is umeboshi - salt-preserved plums made here since the 1600s. Look for both products in the small shops near the station.

Enoura Area

Walk along the rocky shoreline of Enoura district to see some of Sagami Bay's clearest waters. At the Enoura Observatory, glass-walled galleries and stone pathways lead to viewing platforms above the sea. You can sit in a centuries-old tea house or walk through gardens with ancient stones and contemporary sculptures. Scuba dive in the waters below to spot kumanomi fish and, if you're lucky, sea turtles.

Seasonal Events

Pink and white plum trees bloom during the February Plum Festival. In May's Golden Week, watch actors in samurai costumes parade through the castle grounds during the Hōjō Godai Festival. Paper lanterns light up summer evenings at the Lantern Festival, while autumn brings food stalls selling hot oden soup at the Odawara Oden Festival.

Fish Market and Dining

Start your day at the Odawara Fish Market, where fishermen bring in their morning catch from Sagami Bay. Sit at one of the market's restaurant counters for breakfast - try a bowl of rice topped with fresh sashimi or local shirasu (whitebait). You can watch the fish traders at work while you eat.