Odawara: Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour

The personalized walk is an amazing way to connect and feel the people and places of Japan. Odawara Castle is the centerpiece for this walking tour that will include historic insight, local goods, craft shops, and much more. This castle was the grounds for some of Japan's most famous samurai and ruled over a large part of central Japan during the Sengoku Period of Japanese history. A city walking tour with a local bilingual guide is also included as we explore this historic city on foot. Odawara is conveniently located just south of Tokyo, nestled between the shores of the Pacific Ocean and mountains of Hakone.

What to Expect:

1. Odawara City
From here you will enjoy a city walking tour with a local bilingual guide as you explore this historic city on foot. The city of Odawara still has many connections to the traditions and culture of the time of the samurai. There is lots to see, do, and experience in the seaside city of Odawara.

2. Odawara Castle Park
The grounds of Odawara Castle have been preserved and retain original forms and architecture that give insight into the past history and techniques to castle building. We will explore these sites.

3. Ninja Museum
Learn about what ninja really were. We will stop by the Ninja Museum to learn a little about these mysterious figures, the tools they used, and the techniques they mastered.

4. Samurai Museum
The museum displays a selection of genuine samurai armor and swords within the castle grounds. The collection gives visitors the chance to see and experience craftsmanship and artistry from the past. Feel and learn about the extraordinary part of Japanese history.

5. Odawara Castle Main Keep
We will walk around the castle grounds talking about the history, architecture, and more. In the castle we will guide you through the museum to give more in depth stories and color to the history of the area. Odawara Castle was the place for many famous conflicts and was visited by some of Japan's most prominent historical figures.

6. Hotokuninomiya Shrine
This shrine on the castle grounds commemorates one of Japan's most famous scholars and government officials. We will stop by to learn about the shrine itself and the man it is dedicated to. His statue is found at almost every elementary school in Japan.