Odawara Castle

It is believed that Odawara Castle was first built in the mid-15th century when the Omori clan expanded into the Odawara region. In the late 15th century, Ise Moritoki (later known as Hojo Soun) advanced into Odawara, and from then on, the Hojo clan used it as a base to control the Kanto region. It was known as an impregnable and invincible castle, having repelled attacks from Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen. However, in the 18th year of the Tensho era, it fell to the siege of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's forces. After that, it became directly controlled by the shogunate and was abandoned in the third year of the Meiji era after most of the buildings were dismantled. The remaining stone walls were also almost completely destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Afterward, the castle was developed as a "castle park" centered around the main castle tower, and after the reconstruction of the tower in 1960, gates and other structures were restored one after another. The exhibition was also renewed, and it reopened on May 1, 2016. Odawara Castle is designated as a national historic site and is also one of Japan's 100 famous castles.

At Odawara Castle Park, there are no general parking lots available, and visitors must use the surrounding paid parking lots. As the parking lots around Odawara Castle tend to fill up quickly on holidays and event days, it's recommended to arrive early. The "Fujidana Temporary Parking Lot" and "Honcho Temporary Parking Lot" are both located just a 2-minute walk from Odawara Castle and are in a convenient location near the entrance, making them ideal for those who don't want to walk too far. The "Odawara-shi Sakaecho Parking Lot" and "Odawara Station East Exit Parking Lot" have a large capacity and offer maximum fees, making them a great option for those planning to stay for a long time. You can enjoy a stroll through the castle town on your way to Odawara Castle.