Odawara Castle
A reconstructed castle at the entrance to Hakone
3.5
(68)
#15
of 22 most visited in Hakone
Odawara Castle (小田原城, Odawarajō) was originally built in the mid 15th century and soon fell into the hands of the Hojo Clan, one of the most powerful clans during the Warring States Era who used it as a base to control the region around modern day Tokyo. In 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi attacked the castle, and with the defeat of the Hojo Clan, reunited Japan.
In 1703 the castle was destroyed by an earthquake but quickly rebuilt; yet in 1870, the castle keep and other buildings were dismantled and sold. The keep was rebuilt again in ferro-concrete in 1960 based on models and drawings from the Edo Period (1603-1868). Over the following years, the three major gates leading up to the castle were also restored. Today it is the closest castle keep to Tokyo.
The castle keep is three stories on the outside and four stories on the inside. The interior features exhibits on the history of the castle as well as displays of items such as armor and swords. The top floor offers nice views of the park and surrounding city. The castle is also a famous spot for cherry blossoms (typically in bloom around late March to early April) and many other flowers, including plum blossoms, azalea, wisteria, iris, hydrangea and lotus blossoms.
Also located on the castle grounds is the Ninja Museum on the eastern side near the main entrance of the castle grounds. Inside the museum is an obstacle course through which visitors can learn more about ninja skills and culture, and experience being one. There is also a small Samurai Museum inside the Tokiwaki Gate building across from the castle keep. Samurai armor and swords are exhibited within.
Getting there and around
Odawara Castle is located about a ten minute walk from Odawara Station's East Exit along Ohoribata Street.
How to get to and around Hakone
Hours and Fees
Castle Keep
Hours
9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed
Second Wednesday of December and from December 31 to January 1
Admission
510 yen
Samurai and Ninja museums
Hours
9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed
December 31 to January 1
Admission
310 yen (Ninja Museum)
200 yen (Samurai Museum)
610 yen (castle keep and both museums)
200 yen (Samurai Museum)
610 yen (castle keep and both museums)
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Hakone
Top rated in Hakone
Budget:
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YoshimatsuSurrounded by bamboo trees and hills, Yoshimatsu is a traditional Sukiya-style Ryokan (inn) with beautiful outdoor hot spring baths. Overlooking Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi, it provides a free shuttle from Hakone Machi Bus Station. Fitted with tatami-mat flooring, these classic Japanese-style rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and Yukatas (Japanese-style bathrobes). En suite bathrooms have a bathtub. Yoshimatsu is a 5-minute walk from Lake Ashinoko Cruise Station and a 9-minute walk from Lake Ashinoko. It is within a 15-minute walk from Onshi Hakone Park and an 8-minute drive from Narukawa Museum. Breakfast is served in the guest rooms or in the private dining room which the property will assign. Dinner is served to the guest rooms. Dinner, Kyoto-style Kaiseki cuisine, and breakfast, Japanese set menu, are prepared according to the season's freshest ingredients. Guests can enjoy a relaxing stroll around the landscaped gardens and koi ponds. The hotel also provides massage, karaoke rooms and free parking. Free Wi-Fi is available at the lounge.View on Booking.com -
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HakoneHOSTEL1914HakoneHOSTEL1914 is located in Hakone, 6 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station. Train and bus services are available. All rooms are air conditioned. Shared bathroom. A shared lounge and free WiFi are available. Laundry is available at an extra charge. The property is 2.4 km from Hakone Open-Air Museum, 6.1 km from Pola Museum, 7.9 km from ?wakudani and 10 km from Hakone Shrine. They can be reached by bus or train. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 74 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Matsuzakaya HontenMatsuzakaya Honten offers a hot spring bath and free private parking, and is within 13 km of Hakone-Yumoto Station and 43 km of Shuzen-ji Temple. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can use the public bath and the open-air bath, or enjoy mountain views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. All units will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can also relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Kowakudani Station is 5.4 km from Matsuzakaya Honten.View on Booking.com -
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Hakone Yuyado ZenFeaturing an open-air bath and views of garden, Hakone Yuyado Zen is a recently renovated ryokan located in Hakone, 16 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The ryokan has a sun terrace and a hot spring bath. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units are equipped with a kettle, while certain rooms here will provide you with a balcony and others also provide guests with mountain views. At the ryokan, the units include bed linen and towels. There is a coffee shop, bar and lounge. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Sightseeing tours are available in the area. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Fuji-Q Highland is 46 km from the ryokan, while Shuzen-ji Temple is 48 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Hananoyado FukuyaFeaturing free WiFi and a hot spring bath, Hananoyado Fukuya offers accommodation in Hakone. Free private parking is available on site. All rooms have a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms feature a seating area where you can relax. The rooms are equipped with a private bathroom equipped with a bath and shower. In addition, the hot spring bath can be reserved for private use after dinner. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hair dryer. You will find a shared lounge at the property. Narukawa Museum is 100 metres from Hananoyado Fukuya, while Hakone Shrine is 800 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Haneda Airport, 78 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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SuiunSituated in Hakone, 8.7 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station, Suiun provides accommodation with a sauna, a hot spring bath and a public bath. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, a lift and luggage storage for guests. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a bidet. The ryokan offers some units with garden views, and each unit includes a kettle. The units are equipped with heating facilities. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can also relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Fuji-Q Highland is 48 km from the ryokan, while Shuzen-ji Temple is 49 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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FukuzumiroFukuzumiro features an authentic Japanese atmosphere, natural hot spring baths and traditional Japanese-style rooms with garden or river views. It's a 15-minute walk from Hakone Yumoto Station. Rooms at Fukuzumiro feature tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding. Each guest room is equipped with a Handy Phone so guests can stay connected to WiFi during their entire stay and make international calls to select countries for free. A TV and a refrigerator are also included in rooms. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. Guests can relax in public hot spring baths, or enjoy one for private use (subject to availability). Spa hotel Fukuzumiro provides luggage storage, and it offers drink vending machines. Fukuzumiro offers traditional Japanese multi-course dinners with seasonal local dishes. Beverages can be enjoyed at Bar Kikyo. Japanese inn Fukuzumiro is a 30-minute walk from Amida-ji Temple.View on Booking.com -
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Kinnotake Tonosawa (Adult Only)The rooms at Kinnotake Tonosawa comes with a private hot spring bath. They also include a coffee machine. The hotel has free WiFi, and a terrace. Kinnotake Tonosawa rooms come with a seating area and mountain views. They are fitted with air conditioning, an LCD TV and a refrigerator, while bathrobes and a safe are provided. Kinnotake Tonosawa offers a 24-hour reception, a shared lounge. A souvenir shop and free parking are on-site. The restaurant serves Japanese cuisine. The ryokan is a 10-minute bus ride and walk away from Hakone-Yumoto Station and 20-minute bus ride and walk away from Kowakudani Station. Hakone Open-Air Museum can be reached within a 30-minute drive. Tokyo Haneda International Airport is a 90-minute drive away from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Fufu HakoneSituated in Hakone, within 10 km of Hakone-Yumoto Station and 48 km of Fuji-Q Highland, Fufu Hakone features accommodation with a restaurant and free WiFi as well as free private parking for guests who drive. The property is set 50 km from Shuzen-ji Temple, less than 1 km from Hakone Gora Park and a 12-minute walk from Gora Station. The property is located in the Gora Onsen district. The reception at the hotel can provide tips on the area.View on Booking.com -
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TsukinoyaFeaturing free WiFi, Tsukinoya offers accommodation in Hakone, a 7-minute walk from Hakone Open-Air Museum. Built in 1911, the property is within 3.6 km of Hakone Gora Park, Owakudani Valley and Pola Museum. The ryokan has a hot spring bath and luggage storage space. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. Rooms come with a shared bathroom. The units will provide guests with a fridge. The 3 on-site natural hot spring baths can be reserved for private use. Venetian Glass Museum is 4.4 km from Tsukinoya. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 74 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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