Odawara Castle (Odawara-jo) dominates the skyline of Odawara City in western Kanagawa Prefecture and stands as one of Japan's most historically significant castle sites. Originally constructed in the 15th century by the Omori clan, the castle was seized around 1495 by Ise Nagauji — later known as Hojo Soun — marking the beginning of nearly a century of dominance by the Later Hojo clan over the entire Kanto region.
Under the Later Hojo, Odawara Castle was transformed into the largest fortified complex in Japan, encompassing an outer moat and earthwork system (sogo-kozan) that enclosed not just the castle but the entire surrounding castle town. At its peak in the mid-16th century, the defensive perimeter stretched roughly nine kilometers, making the castle effectively impregnable to conventional assault. This engineering allowed the Hojo clan to withstand sieges from Uesugi Kenshin in 1561 and Takeda Shingen in 1569.
The castle fell in 1590 when Toyotomi Hideyoshi besieged it with an army estimated at 200,000 soldiers over three months. The Hojo surrender ended the Sengoku (Warring States) period in the Kanto region and effectively concluded the age of feudal warfare in eastern Japan. Following Hideyoshi's victory, Tokugawa Ieyasu took control of the Kanto, and Odawara became a Tokugawa-era domain under successive lords through the Edo period.
The castle was demolished following the Meiji Restoration of 1868. The current five-story reinforced concrete donjon (main tower) was reconstructed in 1960 and houses a museum covering the castle's history and the Sengoku period, with displays of period armor, weapons, and detailed scale models of the fortress at its 16th-century maximum extent. The castle grounds within Odawara Castle Park also include an Edo-period samurai district (Edo Shiryokan), a ninja pavilion, and a natural moat planted with cherry trees that makes the site one of Kanagawa's most popular hanami venues each spring.
Why it matters
Stronghold of the Hojo clan during the Sengoku period; fell to Hideyoshi in 1590 marking the end of the warring states era
Location
35.2564, 139.1572 View on map
Highlights
- Reconstructed five-story donjon (1960) with Sengoku-period museum covering Hojo clan history, period armor, and scale models
- Site of Hideyoshi's decisive 1590 siege that ended the Sengoku era in the Kanto region
- Earthwork traces of the outer sogo-kozan moat system, once the largest castle perimeter in Japan at roughly nine kilometers
- Edo Shiryokan samurai district and ninja pavilion within the castle park grounds
- Cherry blossom viewing along the moat-side park, among Kanagawa's most popular hanami locations
Tips for visiting
- The castle interior museum is compact; budget 45–60 minutes including the top-floor panoramic observation deck overlooking the city and Sagami Bay
- Adult admission to the donjon is ¥510; combination tickets covering the samurai district and other park facilities offer better value
- The castle park itself is free to enter even without museum admission, making the outer grounds and moat walk freely accessible
- Odawara Station (JR Tokaido/Shinkansen and Odakyu lines) is a 10-minute walk from the castle entrance — no bus required
- The interpretive panels along the east and north moat paths explain the Hojo-era sogo-kozan earthwork system; allow 15 minutes to walk this route before entering the donjon
Frequently asked questions
Is the castle museum English-language friendly?
Exhibits in the donjon have English-language explanatory panels throughout, and an English-language leaflet is available at the ticket booth. The castle's official website also provides English historical background.
How long does a full visit take?
The donjon museum and observation deck require about 45 to 60 minutes. Including the samurai district, ninja pavilion, and a walk around the moat and castle grounds, allow two to two and a half hours total.
Is Odawara Castle accessible for visitors with mobility needs?
The castle park grounds are mostly flat and accessible. The donjon has an elevator serving the museum floors, making it accessible to visitors who cannot use the stairs. The samurai district has some uneven surfaces; check on-site for current accessibility arrangements.
Is the castle suitable for families with children?
Yes; Odawara Castle is one of Kanagawa's most family-friendly historic sites. The ninja pavilion is particularly popular with children, and the open park grounds offer space for younger visitors to explore between exhibits.