Odawara Castle

Odawara Castle once served as the base of the Hojo clan during the Sengoku period before becoming the Okubo clan residence during the Edo period. Today this beloved symbol of Odawara keeps a revamped castle grounds that’s redeveloped as a park centered around the reconstructed main keep.

The current main keep was rebuilt in 1960, then newly completed with seismic retrofitting and restoration in 2016. Step inside today to find exhibits detailing the castle's history, plus a top floor space that recreates the Marishiten statue that was once enshrined during the Edo period. The observation deck is where to go for stunning views of Odawara city and Sagami Bay.

An added perk once you’re here is the Tokiwagi Gate SAMURAI Museum in the same park, home to a vast display of armor and swords, and the NINJA Museum, where you can try your hand at training like the Fuma ninjas who once supported the Hojo clan. The park offers popular paid experiences, such as dressing up in samurai armor or kimono for photos with the castle as a backdrop.

With about 300 Somei Yoshino cherry trees blooming around the main keep and moat, the park is also famous for its cherry blossoms, ranked among Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Swing by during peak season to find the grounds lit up in all its flowery glory, a sight that draws as many as 300,000 visitors each year.