Explore Odawara - Castle, Samurai, Seaside and Traditional Crafts

Step out of Tokyo and experience Japan’s Castle and Craft Town, Odawara. A seaside town buzzing with culture, nature and local flare. If you want to get off the beaten tourist path and experience something new on an easy day trip from Tokyo, then this tour is for you!

Located in Kanagawa prefecture famed for places like Hakone, Kamakura and Enoshima, Odawara is often a forgotten gem that won’t disappoint. Odawara is just a stones throw away from the bustling city of Tokyo where you can reach Odawara within 90 minutes by train from Tokyo station and Shinjuku/Shibuya stations.

On this tour, you will have the opportunity to see one if Japan’s top 10 castles, Odawara castle and park (now the closest castle to Tokyo), learn all about the history of the city and the Samurai, the art of the Ninja, try the freshest Sushi and seafood at Odawara’s harbour, have a go at making two traditional local crafts, and finally pay a visit to a popular observatory with a relaxing foot bath to take in breath taking views of the landscape and surrounding ocean. The tour will provide guests with a well balanced itinerary including a historical landmarks, food, nature and craft experiences.

HIGHLIGHTS 

• The opportunity to see and climb the closest castle to Tokyo and try on Samurai armour!

•  Explore a local fish market and harbour to try the freshest Sushi in Odawara!

• Try your hand at two traditional crafts : Odawara Chochin Lantern making and Yosegi Wooden Mosaic Coaster making!
  
• The opportunity to escape the metropolis of Tokyo and experience being near the ocean to enjoy amazing views!

• Enjoy the traditional culture of a relaxing foot bath experience after a busy day of exploring!

DESCRIPTION

The tour will begin at Shinjuku Station where you will meet your tour guide. You will meet directly outside of Shinjuku station’s SOUTH GATE EXIT/ENTRANCE for the Odakyu Line, by the Baskin Robbins ice cream shop. Once everybody has arrived, you will officially start the tour and your tour guide will escort you to the train! The train journey will take approximately 90 minutes.

For our first destination, step back in time and admire the impressive Odawara castle. This iconic landmark is what Odawara is most famous for, and with it now being the closest castle to Tokyo, it is a must to experience during your trip! Your guide will tell you all about the history of Odawara, its castle and how it shaped local history. Climb to the top of the castle tower, and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views from the observation deck!

Once you have explored the castle and grounds, it’s time to move to your next destination, The Samurai Museum. Learn all about the Samurai who once governed Odawara and their culture. You will see impressive Samurai armour on display and have the opportunity to try armour (and kimono) on as part of your tour where you can take fun photos outside!

Now it’s your lunch break! We will take a 25 minute walk from the Castle park to downtown Odawara and its port and harbour area. On the way, we will pass by a very small but beautiful shrine, and walk by the ocean. Likened to a smaller Tsukiji market in Tokyo but without the crowds, Odawara’s port is a great place to try the freshest fish and seafood Odawara has to offer! The fish and seafood available changes throughout the seasons, so it is an exciting chance to see what seasonal produce is on offer. As this is an active port, you are able to get up close to see the local fishermen in action slicing and dicing Sashimi or catching fish! Your guide will show you around the port and harbour where you can sample foods at your leisure. You can also enjoy your lunch break here to rest, eat and have a relaxing drink in any of the nearby restaurants with views of the sea. The views here are lovely, and there is even a Lighthouse here shaped like a giant Lantern!

Now that you’re well rested let’s move on to your next destination. We will visit a local craft centre where you can try your hand at traditional Odawara Chochin Lantern making and Yosegi wooden coaster making! This unique opportunity will allow you to learn all about the traditional and local art of these crafts which have shaped the culture of both Odawara and Kanagawa prefecture. Assisted by the friendly staff, this is a fantastic way to feel closer to Japanese heritage and culture, all in the cosy and welcoming setting of the centre. The Chochin Lantern and Yosegi coaster wooden experience will last approximately 90 minutes. You will take both items you make home with you as great souvenirs of your time in Odawara. You can choose the design you want for your Lantern, and it is collapsable so will fold away nicely in luggage! The centre also has a cafe where you can enjoy drinks and snacks.

For our final destination, we will explore Odawara Minaka, a newly built shopping and restaurant complex built in the style of the Edo period to evoke nostalgia and to provide a sense of how old Japan once looked! Here, we will enjoy a relaxing foot bath experience at the top of an observatory to relax after our day of exploring. The views from here are spectacular, where you can see all of Odawara, the Castle and sea. Foot baths are a traditional part of Japanese culture, and the water in these foot baths comes from nearby Hakone and its famous hot springs. If you have felt unsure about trying Onsen (Hot Springs) during your trip, then foot baths are a great alternative! This is the perfect way to conclude our day before we head back on the train to Shinjuku.

MEETUP POINT

Outside Shinjuku Station South Gate Baskin ROBBINS @ 09:00am

You will meet your tour guide outside of Shinjuku Station’s South Gate Baskin Robbins. You will recognise the South Gate entrance as it has many ’Lumine 2’ signs across the station entrance building. You will meet your tour guide outside of the Baskin Robbins ice cream shop directly outside of the station entrance. Please look out for the tour guide with a ’Snow Monkey Resorts’ tag. Once everybody has met, we will enter Shinjuku station together to begin the tour.

You will meet your tour guide outside of Shinjuku Station’s South Gate Baskin Robbins. You will recognise the South Gate entrance as it has many ’Lumine 2’ signs across the station entrance building. You can see signs in the left of the second photo above for Baskin Robbins, just past the ’Lumine 2’ sign. You will meet your tour guide outside of the Baskin Robbins ice cream shop directly outside of the station entrance. Please look out for the tour guide with a ’Snow Monkey Resorts’ sign. Once everybody has met, we will enter Shinjuku station together to begin the tour

NOTES

Included

• Return Train Tickets from Shinjuku Station to Odawara Station
  
• Admission fees for Odawara Castle and park, Samurai Museum and Costume Experience

• Chochin Lantern experience and Wooden Coaster Experience

• Foot Bath experience

• Local English speaking guide 

Excluded

• Trains and transport before and after the tour

• Food and drink

OTHER INFORMATION

• Please book this tour as far in advance as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements. It is advised you book this tour no later than 7 days in advance of your chosen tour date.
  
• Please note that timings may be subject to change depending on public transport conditions on the day of the tour.

• This tour involves several hours of walking in the outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or rain coat if necessary.

• There will be free time during the fish market/ lunch break and Odawara Minaka portion of the tour for guests to enjoy the locations at their own pace. However, please make sure that you are at the respective meetup points at the time stated by your guide on the day of the tour. If you get lost or need assistance, feel free to call the number which is listed on your tour pass, and our staff will assist you immediately.

• Due to this being a walking tour, it is advised that you do not bring any luggage or large bags with you on the tour. It is advised that you check if your hotel can store your luggage for you until after the tour, or you store your luggage at lockers at a suitable location such as selected train stations with appropriate storage. For example, many stations in Tokyo will have lockers, especially the larger train stations such as Ikebukuro, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo. Odawara Station also has coin lockers if needed.