Odawara Castle

Odawara Castle is believed to have originated from a fort built when the Omori clan advanced into this area in the mid-15th century, and by the late Muromachi period it had developed into a strategic stronghold in western Sagami. Around 1500, it became the base of the Odawara Hojo clan, descended from Hojo Soun, and for about 100 years thereafter a large castle town and defensive system were formed as the center of their rule over the Kanto region. During the Hojo clan’s heyday in particular, a “sougamae,” or outer defensive enclosure, was built to surround the entire castle town; stretching about 9 kilometers in total, it is known as one of the largest castle complexes of medieval Japan.

In the Odawara Campaign of 1590, the castle was surrounded by a huge army led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and after a siege lasting about three months, the Hojo clan surrendered. This battle became a turning point in Japanese history and a major milestone in the history of Odawara Castle. With the start of the Edo period, the castle came under Tokugawa Ieyasu’s control, and the Okubo clan was installed as castle lords. Later, when the Inaba clan became lords, the castle underwent major renovations and was transformed into a robust early modern castle, reduced in scale to within the Ninomaru and San-no-maru enclosures. After the Okubo clan once again became the lords, the castle continued to play an important role until the end of the Edo period as a key defensive point facing Hakone and as the residence of a hereditary daimyo supporting the feudal system.

With the abolition of castles in 1873, many of Odawara Castle’s structures were dismantled, and even the few remaining stone walls suffered major collapse in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Later, as awareness of cultural heritage preservation grew, efforts to maintain the site advanced: in 1938 part of the Ninomaru and San-no-maru areas were designated a National Historic Site, and in 1959 the entire Honmaru and Ninomaru areas received the same designation. In 1960 the keep was rebuilt in reinforced concrete with an exterior restoration of its original appearance, followed by the restoration of Tokiwagi Gate in 1971, Akagane Gate in 1997, and Umadashi Gate in 2009, gradually reviving the late Edo-period castle landscape in modern times. Today, the city of Odawara continues its preservation efforts and its work to pass on the site’s historical value to future generations.

The castle grounds are maintained as Odawara Castle Park, a beloved place where history and nature blend harmoniously. Visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers throughout the year, including cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, wisteria, and irises. In spring especially, about 300 cherry trees color the keep, with a succession of varieties such as kanhizakura, kawazuzakura, someiyoshino, oshimazakura, and shidarezakura blooming from late January to early April. During the flowering season, the castle is illuminated at night, and the view of the cherry blossoms from the keep’s observation deck creates a magical scene that captivates many tourists.

Inside the keep, exhibits introduce the history of Odawara Castle, its fortress structure, the culture of the Hojo clan, and furnishings and arts and crafts from the period. At Tokiwagi Gate, visitors can view armor and swords up close and learn about the castle’s military aspects. The Odawara Castle NINJA Museum offers hands-on exhibits themed around the Fuma ninja, said to have supported the Hojo clan from the shadows during the Sengoku period, making it a popular attraction enjoyed by both children and adults.

The park also includes a children’s amusement area with a miniature train and various playground equipment, allowing families to spend the whole day there. In addition, many experiential events are held throughout the year, such as armor-dressing experiences and weekend shuriken-throwing activities. In recent years, English-guided tours of the castle town, ninja training experiences, and zazen meditation sessions inside the castle have also been offered for international visitors, earning high praise from both domestic and overseas tourists.

Built on a site overlooking Sagami Bay and backed by Mount Hakone, Odawara Castle also benefits from excellent access: about 35 minutes from Tokyo Station by shinkansen and about 10 minutes on foot from JR Odawara Station. With its layered history spanning samurai culture from the 15th century, a medieval castle under the Hojo clan, an early modern castle of the Edo period, and modern restoration and preservation efforts, Odawara Castle remains an iconic symbol of western Kanagawa, drawing many visitors with its combination of history, culture, nature, and hands-on experiences.