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
Price
Adult (13+) | 21,900 | JPY |
Child (6 - 12) | 13,300 | JPY |
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.
ITINERARY
09:00 | Meet your tour guide outside of Shinjuku station’s South gate/entrance. |
---|---|
09:21 | Board the 09:21 for Odawara station from Shinjuku station, and arrive at Odawara station at 10:31. |
10:31 | Walk for 15 minutes to our first destination, Odawara Castle and Tower. Here your guide will give you an overview of the Castle’s history and significance. Enjoy the beautiful grounds, moat, traditional bridges and architecture, as well as the breath taking views from the top of the castle tower! |
11:45 | Leave Odawara Castle and Tower, and head to the Samurai Museum located in the Castle grounds. We will spend approximately 30/40 minutes here enjoying the exhibits and trying on traditional Samurai armour or Kimono! |
12:30 | Leave the Castle grounds and take a walk of 25 minutes to the beautiful and traditional port of Hayakawa! On the walk, you will pass by a small but beautiful local Shrine and see wonderful views of the ocean! |
13:00 | Arrive at Hayakawa Port. Here your guide will show you around the area and provide an overview of its history and significance to the local people. Enjoy views of the ocean, a lighthouse shaped like a giant Japanese Lantern, see locals fishing and selling produce at the local market. This is also where you will take your lunch break, and we highly recommend trying some of the wonderful seafood and sushi on offer here! |
14:15 | Meet back up with your guide after lunch! It’s now time to walk back to the centre of Odawara for another 25 minutes. |
14:45 | Arrive at the craft centre to enjoy making two traditional crafts famous in Odawara and Kanagawa Prefecture - Chochin Lanterns and Yosegi Wooden Coasters! The workshop will last approximately 90 minutes. |
16:15 | Leave the craft centre and walk 13 minutes to our final destination, Odawara Minaka! Here we will enjoy panoramic views of Odawara and the ocean, and a traditional and relaxing foot bath using natural hot spring waters from Hakone! |
16:50 | Head to Odawara station where we will take the 17:05 train back to Shinjuku station where we will arrive home at 18:38. |
18:38 | Tour concludes back at Shinjuku station. |
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 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.
FAQs
- What should I bring/wear?
- Please wear clothing and shoes appropriate for the season in which you are taking the tour, and check the weather forecast ahead of time. Guests may wish to bring rain coats or umbrellas on rainy days, or sunscreen to avoid sunburn during the summer months. June through to early September is very hot and humid in Tokyo, so please bare this in mind. Stay hydrated and wear sun hats. You can buy items designed to cool you down in Summer from shops in Tokyo such as portable fans and ice packs. In the winter months, gloves, boots, warm hats, and hand warmers are recommended. Please feel free to bring any other items, such as water or snacks.
- Is lunch included on the tour?
- No. This tour does not include lunch however there will be opportunities to purchase food and drinks during the tour. It is advised you also bring snacks and drinks with you. Due to the locations on this tour, there are not opportunities to visit a restaurant for lunch. Therefore, lunch will be a picnic style after the shrine or you can buy drinks and food throughout the tour at the various small cafes and vendors.
- Is this tour wheelchair accessible/appropriate for guests with limited mobility
- The nature of this tour means it is not wheelchair accessible and may not be appropriate for guests with limited mobility, given the amount of walking involved. Should this be of concern, contact us prior to booking to discuss options.
(Travel Agency License No: Nagano 2-562)
Snow Monkey Resorts Tours
2159 Kurita, Nagano City, Nagano, 380-0921 Japan
Tel: (+81)26-219-6256
Member of All Nippon Travel Agents Association
Travel Service Supervisor: Azusa Fukuhara
Period
All Year Round
Time
09:00 - 18:30
Meeting Place
Outside of Shinjuku Station South Gate Baskin Robbins
Price
Adult (13+) | 21,900 | JPY |
Child (6 - 12) | 13,300 | JPY |