First Stop: Odawara Castle – A Symbol of the City. Our journey begins at Odawara’s most iconic landmark: Odawara Castle. After becoming the residence of the powerful Hojo clan, the castle served as the center of their rule over the Kanto region. However, the original castle keep was destroyed in a fire caused by the Genroku Earthquake of 1703. In 1960, the exterior was faithfully reconstructed using Edo-period models and architectural blueprints.

Recognized as one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles by the Japan Castle Foundation, Odawara Castle offers much more than just its impressive main keep.

As you make your way toward the tenshukaku (castle tower), you’ll encounter several historically significant gates. The Umadashi Gate and Akagane Gate in the second bailey, as well as the Tokiwagi Gate (the castle’s main entrance), all reflect the fortress’s reputation as an impregnable stronghold.

In front of the castle keep, you’ll find a towering giant pine tree (Ōmatsu)—the largest pine in Odawara City. It is believed to be one of the “Seven Pines” mentioned in Sōchū Zasshi, a historical record written between 1831 and 1845.

Within the castle grounds park, you can enjoy not only these trees but also a variety of seasonal flowers. Especially noteworthy are the approximately 300 cherry blossoms that bloom in spring, around 10,000 irises that bloom in May and June, and about 2,500 hydrangeas—all of which provide a stunning visual experience.

The top floor of the keep, located on the 5th level, stands at an elevation of about 60 meters. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Sagami Bay, and on clear days, you can even see the Boso Peninsula in the distance.

If you look to the west, you’ll spot Odawara Station. It’s a railway hub where six lines converge: the Tōkaidō Line, Tōkaidō Shinkansen, Gotemba Line, Odakyu Line, Hakone Tozan Line, and Daikyūzan Line. It’s a must-see spot for train enthusiasts!

Inside the castle keep, there are exhibits showcasing historical materials. The first floor focuses on “Odawara Castle in the Edo period”, the second floor on “Odawara Castle in the Sengoku period”, the third floor displays “Art, crafts, and excavation findings related to Odawara”, and the fourth floor covers “The history of Odawara Castle from the Meiji era to the present”. Each floor has a dedicated theme.

Inside the castle keep, there is also a museum shop!

The Odawara lanterns, available exclusively at the castle tower, are priced at 5,000 yen each, while the mini Odawara lanterns are 2,750 yen each.

During the Edo period, Odawara lanterns were developed with a foldable structure to allow travelers to carry them easily, reflecting the craftsmanship and thoughtfulness of artisans. As a specialty product of a post town, they hold great historical significance.

Since the top and bottom lids are made from the sacred wood of Daiyūzan Saijōji Temple, they are believed to have protective qualities against evil. It seems like a wonderful travel companion!

At the “SAMURAI Hall” located at the Tokiwagi Gate, visitors can view armor and swords from the Odawara Castle keep and the Japanese Armor and Sword Research and Preservation Society. Additionally, there’s a projection mapping display that brings the world of samurai to life, allowing you to experience the fusion of the latest technology with history.

The vast Odawara Castle Ruins Park, which is about the size of two Tokyo Domes, is full of highlights. Just a few minutes’ walk from the castle tower is the Hōtoku Ninomiya Shrine, which enshrines Ninomiya Sontoku (Kinjiro), an influential economist born in Odawara. He is famous for the statue of a boy carrying firewood while diligently reading, known as the “Kinjiro Statue,” depicting him as a young boy diligently reading while carrying firewood.

The foundation stones (called sōseki) supporting the hall’s pillars are made from stones originally used for the rice granary Ninomiya Sontoku built inside Odawara Castle during the Tenpō Famine. This granary allowed rice to be distributed throughout the 110,000 koku (a unit of rice measurement) of Odawara’s domain, ensuring that no one starved during the famine.

At the main hall, in addition to prayers and ceremonies, Shinto weddings have been conducted since the shrine’s founding in 1894 (Meiji 27). In fact, the staff at this hotel also held their wedding here. During the ceremony, they were deeply moved by the profound atmosphere, especially when crossing the corridor connecting the shrine office to the main hall.

At the “Kinjiro Cafe” located within the shrine grounds, you can enjoy a variety of dishes related to Ninomiya Kinjiro. One of the specialties is Gojiru, a soup made from crushed soybeans that are rehydrated with water. The cafe also serves cappuccinos adorned with a design of Kinjiro’s famous statue, showing great attention to detail.

In the souvenir corner, you’ll also find a statue of Kinjiro! It’s a great reminder of the local history and the legendary figure associated with the area.

I found a wonderful souvenir, the “Kinjiro Fuku Ame” (519 yen), with the character “福” (meaning “fortune”) boldly printed on the packaging. It’s eye-catching, compact, and affordable—three perfect qualities for a great gift!

When you think of Odawara, you can’t forget the sea! The next spot I recommend is Miyuki-no-Hama. This beach got its name after Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken visited in 1873 to observe local fishermen using their traditional fishing nets. Today, it’s a popular swimming beach.

Located just a 15-minute walk from the Hōtoku Ninomiya Shrine, this scenic spot offers a breathtaking view on clear days, where you can see the Izu Peninsula, Miura Peninsula, and even the Boso Peninsula.

One of the most beloved spots by both locals and tourists is the “Tunnel Leading to the Sea,” which is particularly famous for its picturesque views.

Originally built over 50 years ago as a flood prevention gate, this gate continues to serve its original purpose today. However, it has also gained fame for the beautiful view of the sea from the tunnel,becoming one of Odawara’s top photo spots.

The view you can capture varies with the seasons, time of day, and weather. Why not try capturing your own unique shot?

When it comes to Odawara cuisine, seafood is a must-try. The “Odawara Fish Center,” located next to Odawara Fishing Port, is a unique facility where you can purchase seafood and vegetables from the center and enjoy a BBQ right on-site.

It’s a 20-minute walk from Miyuki no Hama. Look for the sign that says “Hama Yaki BBQ.” The casual and welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to stop by and enjoy a meal.

The BBQ corner is fully equipped with everything you need for a barbecue, including grills, gloves, tongs, cutting boards, and trays. The seating fee is 1,100 yen for 90 minutes per table, and each table can accommodate up to 4 people.

Inside the center, you’ll find a variety of stores, including a fresh fish shop, a tuna specialty store, a dried fish shop, and a produce store. If you’re unsure about what to choose, the experts at each store will gladly recommend seasonal ingredients and the best options for the day. It’s so reassuring to have such knowledgeable guidance!

After enjoying the plump and juicy raw oysters, I moved on to BBQing scallops, clams, turban shells, and shrimp. The freshness of the ingredients made each bite incredibly delicious, and savoring them with such simple preparation was truly a luxurious experience.

There are three restaurants at the center. You can order from any of the stores and enjoy your meal at the BBQ corner as well.

Here is the “Fresh Aji Three Ways Set Meal (1,750 yen)” from the restaurant “Kaiga.” This popular dish allows you to enjoy a variety of local small horse mackerel(aji) preparations, including fried, tataki (lightly seared), and nanbanzuke (pickled). The thick, fluffy fried aji left a particularly strong impression.

At Odawara Fish Port, you’ll find not only seafood but also a wide variety of local sweets. First, let me introduce “Hitotose no Yuki,” just a few minutes’ walk from the “Odawara Sakana Center.”

The shop stands out with its striking shaved ice sculpture and sign. But why is there a shaved ice shop here, you might wonder? The truth is, this store is operated by a company that provides essential refrigeration and freezing services to the fish port. They wanted to let people enjoy the taste of seasonal fruits and vegetables all year round, so they decided to develop and offer their unique shaved ice using their own freezing technology.

From left to right: Lemon (currently unavailable), Mango (900 yen), and Shine Muscat (700 yen). These unique shaved ice treats are made by thinly shaving fruits that have been frozen using a special freezing machine, allowing you to directly taste the rich flavors of the fruit itself. This “new texture” shaved ice doesn’t use any water.

The menu includes 12 different types of desserts, including parfaits. The Mango and Shine Muscat varieties, limited to 20 and 30 servings respectively per day, often sell out by the morning. If you’re interested, be sure to visit early in the day!

There are also other spots where you can enjoy local sweets.

About a 15-minute walk south along the coastline from “Hitotose no Yuki,” you’ll come across the complex “Gyokou no Eki TOTOCO Odawara,” which houses souvenir shops and restaurants. On the first floor of this facility is “Odawara Gyokou Purin” (Odawara Fishing Port Pudding). Here, you can enjoy a variety of sweets inspired by the beautiful landscapes of Odawara.

From left to right, there is the “Odawara Gyokou Purin” (480 yen), a pudding where fish swim inside the jelly, thet “Odawara Lantern Soft Serve,” inspired by the city’s iconic paper lanterns(550 yen), a soft serve representing the city’s iconic lantern, and the “Umi no Cream Soda” (500 yen), which showcases the colors of Sagami Bay.

These desserts are not only delicious but also visually uplifting. They’re perfect for photos, but be sure to snap your shot quickly, especially with the soft serve, as it melts fast!

By the way, on the 3rd floor of “Gyokou no Eki TOTOCO Odawara,” you can find a giant dried mackerel sculpture! Be sure to use #漁港の駅 (Gyokou no Eki) when sharing your experience on social media!

Finally, let me introduce “Minaka Odawara,” a multi-purpose complex directly connected to Odawara Station.

Inside, the atmosphere of a castle town prevails, and in addition to restaurants, there are various shops and attractions to explore.

The facility features a variety of souvenir shops and deli stores from across Kanagawa Prefecture. It’s a convenient spot where you can do some last-minute shopping or grab a bite to eat just before you board the train.

On the first floor of the Odawara Shinchou-machi, in the “Shiro-machi Ichiba” (Castle Town Market), you’ll find the “Chibori Sweets Factory,” which has a faucet dispensing 100% Yūgawara mikan (mandarin orange) juice! It’s a dreamlike setup, and of course, I couldn’t resist giving it a try. The juice has a natural sweetness from the fruit, leaving a refreshing aftertaste. One cup costs 454 yen.

The 14th-floor observation foot bath garden is completely free to enter! Even if you don’t have a towel with you, don’t worry—there’s a vending machine specifically for towels (100 yen each, cash only).

You can relax in the foot bath while gazing at Sagami Bay, reflecting on the highlights of your trip… It’s truly the perfect moment to unwind.

From the garden, you can also admire the majestic view of Odawara Castle.

At dusk, the area is beautifully lit up, offering a different perspective of Odawara’s scenery.

On the day of the interview, I soaked in the foot bath for about 20 minutes before heading home. The next morning, I was surprised at how much lighter my body felt—truly amazed by the “foot bath power.” I highly recommend giving it a try!