Experience the best of Odawara

Odawara was the stronghold of the Later Hōjō clan until 1590, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi besieged the castle and ended their rule, and it was later a post town on the Tōkaidō road. The castle keep, rebuilt in 1960 within moats and stone walls, holds a museum, and cherry trees and a small park surround it.

Odawara is the gateway to Hakone, a mountain area of hot springs, Lake Ashi and views of Mount Fuji, reached by mountain railway and bus from the station. The fishing port on Sagami Bay supplies the town's markets, and the Soga Plum Grove, an orchard in blossom in February, lies on the edge of the town.

Kamaboko, steamed fish paste, is the city's old trade, sold in shops that make it fresh, along with dried horse mackerel and umeboshi, pickled plums. The sea air keeps the winters mild, and plum blossom in February begins the season.