[ODAWARA]Day Trip from TOKYO: Best Spot Best Route Plan

Odawara, one of the historic places in Japan, locates in the west of Kanagawa prefecture. Odawara Castle, which is famous for impregnability, is still there. You can feel the time when the samurai was active.

Overview

Total time: 13hours

If you are staying in a major area in Tokyo like Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Roppongi, you leave your hotel at 9 AM and can come back at 10 or 11 PM in this plan. 

Cost: 10,000 - 15,000 Yen

In this plan, we take Tokaido Super Express and Taxis.  It costs 10000 to 15000 yen per person excluding meals and snacks. 

Local stores and ticket offices might not accept credit cards. Carrying extra cash would be a good idea.

Walking distance: 7km(4.5miles)

The total walking distance is 7 km, which is about  4.5 miles.  There are rocky, up-and-down paths in the course, wearing sneakers or any equivalent type of footwear is recommended. 

How to go to ODAWARA?

The fastest way to get to Odawara is taking Tokaido Super Express. It takes about 30 minutes from Tokyo station.

If you take local line, it takes about 2 hours from Tokyo station.

From Shibuya or Shinjuku?

The fastest way to get to Odawara is taking Tokaido Super Express.  It takes about 30 minutes from Tokyo station.

If you are staying in Shibuya or Shinjuku area, take Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station and find Tokado Super Express.

From Roppongi ?

From Roppongi, take Hibiya Line to Ebisu station, then change to Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station.

One important thing: Take KODAMA Super Express 

Although Tokaido Super Express departs every 3 to 4 minutes from Tokyo, the train stops at Odawara is Kodama and some of Hikari. 

Please confirm ahead which train stops at Odawara.

TIME TABLE

 Here you see the rough timetable of the entire trip.  And you can see which attractions will require a ticket.

(*) ticket at door

(**) reservation recommended

Arrive at Odawara Station

Arriving at Odawara station, please look up to the ceiling and find a big lantern.  This is called Odawara chochin with a unique shape. You can find some small sizes in various colors and patterns at a souvenir shop.

Explore Odawara Castle Ruins Park

  Let’s take ten minute walk to Odawara Castle Ruins Park. 

Here you can enter the inside of the castle and enjoy the view of Sagami Bay over Odawara city. 

In addition, you might see Ishigakiyama, which you visit later this course. 

The whole family would enjoy many small attractions and museums .

For example, Ninja museum, Samurai Museum, miniature train rides, and  Armor Kimono dressing experience. 

You

Yosegi Craft Exprerience at Odawara Kanko-Kouryu-Center

On the east side of the castle ruins park, you will find a modern-style building with a cafe. That is Odawara Kanko Koryu Center. There is a cafe, souvenir shop, tourist information, and cycle rental service.

You can enjoy some hands-on experiences here. We recommend making a wooden drink coaster in the Yosegi method, a traditional crafting process.  Picking pieces from various kinds of colorful natural woods, arranging patterns as you like, and making your one-of-the-kind coaster.

Lunch at Hayakawa Port

As you walk along Tokaido road, one of the most famous roads from the Edo period, you might notice the scent of the ocean.  That is a sign that Hayakawa Port is getting close.

This neighborhood is a great lunch spot, Teishoku restaurants, Italian, self-grilled restaurants and sushi.  Whichever you choose, you can enjoy a fresh catch of the day. 

Ishigakiyama Ichiyajo Historic Park

  To get to Ishigakiyama Ichiyajo Histric Park, let’s get a taxi.

It’s hard to find a cruising taxi in Odawara, so we recommend having a taxi-hailing app in advance.

As of 2022, “GO” is the only app in service in this area.

Aside from its very famous history, Ishigakiyama is a great scenic place.

After you climb up the short rocky trail and walk through the castle ruins, you will see the wide view of Odawara city and Sagami Bay.

Take a break at Yoroizuka Farm

Yoroizuka Farm, owned by renowned patisserie chef Mr.Yoroizuka, adds a lovely charm to this short walk.  They have a cafe, patisserie, boulangerie, and a small store with fresh produce from the area.

Learn history and chemistry of Kamaboko

Getting on a taxi again, it’s time to explore Kamaboko no Sato.

Suzuhiro is one of the famous kamaboko companies based in Odawara with a long history. They were established over 150 years ago, before the Meiji period, and have been making high-quality products. 

Here you can learn the history and chemistry of kamaboko and find various kamaboko products. They also have a good selection of local sake and beer. it’s a good idea to get some and enjoy pairing it with kamaboko.

Return to Odawara station from Kazamatsuri station

Just a few steps away from Kamabokono Sato, Kazamatsuri is a small station for the Hakone Tozan railway. Let’s get back to Odawara station.

Shopping and dinner at harune and MiNaKa

# Before you take a train to return to Tokyo, you can’t miss these two shopping-restaurant complexes; harune and Minaka. 

Minaka is a newly developed shopping mall themed by the Edo period street. 

Soak your feet in the public foot bath on the 14th floor would be so refreshing after the long walk.  It’s free!

You can find local specialty goods, wood crafts, and some great dinner spots at both places. 

You have a train back to Tokyo after 10 PM, so relax and enjoy your night at Odawara! 

Ticketing

 ### Odawara Castle

The museums and attractions in Odawara Castle are welcoming walk-ins. However, as of July 2022, the armor kimono dressing experience opens only on Saturday and Sunday.

Yosegi craft experience at Oadawara Kanko Koryu Center

Yosegi craft experience accepts walk-ins. It is usually not busy. So you can have your craft work right away.

If you plan to travel during the Japanese holidays, such as a weekend in summer, Golden Week, or Silver Week, reservation would make your trip more manageable.

Read QR code to reservation site.

But sorry , it is Japanese site only.

Thank you for reading!

I hope this article offers some inspiration for your own day trip from Tokyo.

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Happy travel!