Odawara Castle

A representative castle of Kanto that served as the main base of the Hojo clan for five generations during the Sengoku period. The current castle tower was restored in 1960 and houses a history museum inside that introduces Odawara's history. From the top floor, a vast panorama unfolds with views of Sagami Bay and the Hakone mountain range. About 300 cherry trees are planted in the castle site park, which was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. At the Samurai Hall in Tokiwagi Gate, visitors can also experience traditional samurai armor fitting. A must-see spot before or after visiting Hakone.