Very relaxing vibe.
The onsen street is small, but it’s really pleasant to walk around.
The famous open‑air Sunayu bath has a great atmosphere, and you can hear the sound of the river while you soak, which is super soothing.
Overall it doesn’t feel commercialized at all.
Great for people who want a quiet hot spring experience and a slow, easy day.
Sun Station Terrace Okayama
Step off with ease at the Okayama station ticket gates to find Sun Station Terrace Okayama, the go-to food and retail hub you can count on, no matter what the weather.
Super convenient! It's right inside the station and has everything—food, shopping, and places to browse. It's the perfect spot to kill time while waiting for your train or during transfers. There are also lots of Okayama-exclusive souvenirs to pick up. The whole place is clean and easy to walk around. It really adds a little happiness to your trip!
Kanazawa Confectionery Wooden Mold Museum
A museum of Kanazawa’s confectionery culture located on the second floor of the main store of Morihachi, a long-established Japanese sweets shop with over 400 years of history. Around 1,000 items, including wooden molds used to make sweets since the Edo period, are displayed in glass cases by era. The molds come in a wide range of sizes and designs, and part of the fun is imagining what kinds of sweets were made from them as you look around.
Seriously so cute~ Inside, they display all kinds of traditional wooden molds used for Japanese sweets. They’re incredibly delicate, and every design is packed with detail, almost like little works of art!
You can also see the process of artisans carving them by hand, and even try making your own wagashi mold or candy, which was really fun.
The place isn’t very big, so you can probably see everything in about half an hour, but the atmosphere is super warm and cozy. Great for anyone who likes Japanese sweets or traditional crafts.
It’s also really photogenic, with a strong artsy vibe~
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.
There weren't too many people, so it was nice to stroll around inside the castle. The main keep is really impressive!
Definitely one of the top spots near Tokyo. If you're heading to Hakone or Atami, I recommend stopping by!
