Situated in Kanagawa prefecture, just an hour out of Tokyo, is Odawara. To reach Odawara from Tokyo, take a train from Shinjuku station for either 80 minutes or 100 minutes depending on the service you choose. Odawara makes for a great trip from Tokyo, or on the way to notable locations such as Hakone and Kamakura. Odawara is home to a famous Japanese castle with a rich history of the Samurai and Shogun, and as a result the Samurai Centre is located on the castle grounds. Over time, the castle became the stronghold of different powerful Samurai from the Hōjō clan to the victory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1590 where he defeated the Hōjō clan in battle! The Samurai Centre celebrates this rich history by showcasing impressive artefacts from the time of the Samurai. If you love Samurai and Shogun history, or traditional Japanese architecture, then the Samurai Centre should be added to your Japan itinerary.

The Samurai Centre mostly focuses on the legacy of the Shogun and Samurai connected with Odawara’s heritage. Despite the Samurai Centre being located on the castle grounds, the centre can be visited without needing to purchase a ticket to the castle making it a convenient stop for visitors. However, if you do want to visit both the Centre and castle, we recommend heading to the castle first to buy a combined ticket for both attractions for 610 yen. The gallery mostly showcases the history of the Hōjō clan whi were the ruling family of Odawara Castle during the Sengoku period. The centre provided visitors with an in depth view on Samurai life, armour, weapons and the role they played in Japanese history.

As well as enjoying cultural artefacts, armour and weapons on display, the Samurai Centre has some engaging displays and experiences. The Samurai Centre has a fantastic digital art display to help bring the Samurai story to life showcasing the power and formality of the Samurai era. Visitors can also enjoy a costume rental service which we highly recommend! You can try on Samurai armour, and other period costumes such as Kimono and Ninja clothing on the grounds of the castle to take great photos of your experience! The Samurai Centre also has a small but great gift shop!

Want to experience the Odawara City and the Samurai Centre for yourself?

1 Day Tour

Explore Odawara – Castle, Samurai, Seaside and Traditional Crafts
Period	All Year Round
Time	09:00 – 18:30
Meeting Place	Outside of Shinjuku Station South Gate Baskin Robbins
Adult Rate	¥21,900
Child Rate	¥13,300