Odawara Castle
Cost
Attractions > Yokohama > Japanese Castles > Yokohama Station
About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees
Odawara Castle near Yokohama in Japan by swhuang (CC BY-SA 2.0)
About
Being in a Prime Location, Odawara Castle was a target from all sides! On the location a "stronghold" was built in the late 1400's and this "stronghold" went back and forth between many clans before the Hojo Clan took control around 1495. After the Hojo took control they built the castle up into a formidable structure whereby they ruled the greater Kantou area for the next couple hundred years. Then in the late 1500's the Hojo Clan and their Odawara castle was once again the center of war when Takeda Shingen attacked and then Toyotomi Hideyoshi attacked the castle and finally defeated the Hojo after a long 3 month siege (Siege of Odawara in 1590). The Tokugawa Shogunate took control and used the castle as a symbol of power to control the region. Unfortunately, like most castles in the Kantou erea, the castle was ordered to be destroyed by the Meiji government during the Meiji Restoration.
In 1938 the Japanese realized they should probably preserve such a historic monument and declared the castle a National Historic Monument. Since then and over a span of decades, many restorations have been made to the castle. The current castle has a mix of "Historically accurate" and fabricated structures. Being so close to Yokohama & Tokyo, Odawara castle is a pretty major tourist spot. It is very easy to get to and easily accessible by foreigners visiting the country and want to see a really cool Japanese castle. The "Castle" is also a museum which also has many artifacts (real and fabricated) from Japanese medieval times.
Odawara castle is a favorite destination for those visiting Tokyo but don't have a chance to travel further to see some of the most famous castles in Japan. It's very easy to get to, full of important history and quite stunning. Even if your only in Tokyo for a couple days, it's easy to make the journey down to Odawara and see this fabulous castle. Read the data here and then confirm on the official website before making any travel plans... and, don't forget your camera!
Getting There:
Getting to Odawara from Tokyo is simple. If your on vacation and a little extra "fee" doesn't matter, you can take the Bullet Train from Tokyo Station for 3,320 Yen (around $25 - $30 US dollars) and get there in just over half an hour. You can also take a "normal" train from either Tokyo or Shinjyuku for around 1,500 yen and get there in about an hour and a half. Just use the "Find a train route and times" app below to easily find the best rought and time that meets your schedule.
Please visit our Japanese Castles page to find more castles that are close to Tokyo.
Data
Name: Odawara Castle 小田原城 (Odawara Jyou)
Original Year Built: 1495
Type: Hilltop 丘城
Class: Major Castle
Condition: Reconstruction
Founder: Hojo Soun (Daimyo)
Timeline
1417 - Some fortifications were built by the Omori Clan.
1495 - Fortifications led to the construction and completion of a small castle.
1496-1600 - The castle was under constant attack and changed ownership many times between various clans.
1633 - The first main Tenshu (keep) was built.
1703 - An earthquake destroyed the main Tenshu.
1706 - The main Tenshu was rebuilt.
1870 - The castle was abandoned and fell into ruins after the Emperor regained power from the Shogunate.
1872 - By orders in the Meiji Restoration, what remained of the main Tenshu and towers was completely dismantled and a shrine was built where the Tenshu once stood.
1960 - A Reconstruction of the main Tenshu was reconstructed using modern equipment and materials.
1971-now - Various other parts of the castle have been reconstructed using modern equipment and materials.
Access
Closest Train Station: Odawara
Jonai Odawara
Kanagawa 250-0014 Japan
Tel: 0465-23-1373
An easy 10 - 15 min. walk from Odawara Station.
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Odawara Castle.
Hours & Fees
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last entry: 4:30 p.m.)
Closed: 2nd Wednesday of Dec. and Dec. 31 - Jan. 1
Cost: Various costs per building but main castle adult: 500 yen, up to 15: 200 yen
Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.
Resources
Website: Odawara Castle Homepage
