Plizio Visual Lab
Odawara
ℹ️Practical info — Odawara
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Entry to Odawara Castle Park is free; tickets are only needed to enter the castle keep museum.
- The top floor of the castle keep gives a panoramic view of Sagami Bay and the city skyline.
- Visit in February for the plum blossom festival, featuring thousands of trees in the castle grounds.
- Kamaboko (steamed fish cake) is the city's signature food with a long historical tradition.
- Odawara is the gateway to Hakone; purchase your Hakone Free Pass at the station travel center.
🍽 Food
Traditional steamed fish cakes. Visit the historic Kamaboko Street for various tastings.
A savory stew featuring local fish cakes and a unique plum-miso dipping sauce.
Freshly caught fish from Sagami Bay, best enjoyed near the Odawara Fishing Port.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
An underground shopping arcade at the station focusing on local crafts and food.
A historical district lined with traditional shops selling artisanal fish cakes.
A peaceful temple away from the main tourist spots, known for its seasonal flowers.
A pebble beach with a sea wall, well-suited for a quiet walk by the ocean.
Water temperature…
Odawara is a prominent castle town in Kanagawa Prefecture that served as a strategic hub during the Edo period. The heart of the city is the beautifully reconstructed Odawara Castle, surrounded by a sprawling park that is especially spectacular during cherry blossom season. The city features a successful blend of history, culture, and maritime flair on the shores of Sagami Bay. For beachgoers, Miyukigahama (御幸ヶ浜) is a popular destination. This pebble beach gives a wide view of the ocean and is a peaceful spot for seaside strolls, away from the hustle and bustle of major cities. Although the surf can be strong here, locals appreciate the place for its relaxed atmosphere and fresh sea breeze. Local gastronomy is famous for Kamaboko (fish cakes) and fresh seafood from Odawara Port. Thanks to its excellent Shinkansen connection, the city is a good starting point for excursions to Hakone or a first-rate stopover on the way from Tokyo to Kyoto.
- Location: Japan
- Top sights: Sip Cun Wen Ku Jiu Zhi · Shan Wang Yuan Yi Li Zhong · Jiu Ye 4Hao Fen
- Nearby: Hakone (6 km)
- Population: ~188.856 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 14 | 8 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 61 | 71 | 115 | 127 | 140 | 174 | 209 | 159 | 201 | 193 | 85 | 64 |
Geography
Facts
- Odawara Castle
- Miyukigahama Beach
- Gateway to Hakone
- Kamaboko specialty
- Shinkansen stop
- Ume-Matsuri festival
- Edo period history
- Near Tokyo
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Odawara (13)
Houtoku Museum🏛 museum
A museum in Odawara dedicated to the life and teachings of Ninomiya Sontoku.
Frequently asked questions
Is Odawara Castle worth visiting?
What souvenir is typical for Odawara?
How do you get from Tokyo to Odawara?
Is Odawara a gateway to Hakone?
When do cherry blossoms bloom at the castle?
Odawara: where is it located?
Odawara: what is there to see?
Odawara: when is the best time to visit?
Odawara: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
More places
