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Odawara Castle Ninja Hall

Ninja Skills, Weapons, and History

OPENING April 20, 2019
On the grounds of Odawara Castle the recently renovated Ninja Hall has interactive and new displays sharing the history of the ninja. The famous Fuma Ninja served the Hojo family of the Odawara domain. Here you can experience and learn ninja history, ninja skills, and see ninja weapons. Odawara was home to one of the most famous ninja in Japanese history, Fuma Kotaro.

Real Ninja

The Hojo Family was once one of the most powerful families in all of Japan. They controlled a large part of Japan from their castle in Odawara. These were the times of battling fuedal lords, the time of the samurai and ninja. In these wonderful historical surroundings you can find the Ninja Hall. In the stories and documents detailing the reign of the Hojo, the ninja Fuma Kotaro is refrenced. He was one of the few famous ninja names passed along the generations. Fuma Kotaro, Hattori Hanzo, and Nagato were some of the most famous ninja in Japanese history.

The Ninja Museum and Experience Hall

The NInja Hall gives you a chance to learn about who and what the ninja did during their time. The facility also gives you the opportunity to try different ativities associated with the ninja. You can throw ninja stars, sneak around, climb through windows, and test your ninja skills.

Odawara Welcomes the Wallabies and Rugby 7s Teams

The Wallabies and Australian Sevens teams will use Odawara, Japan as their training base for the next three years for their matches in the country.

With key matches and tournaments to be played in Japan in 2018, 2019, and 2020, Rugby Australia issued an expression of interest to the Japanese market in late 2017 to establish an Australian Rugby training base in the country and Odawara was chosen for location, commitment, and quality of facilities.

Odawara, which is located an hour south of Tokyo and Yokohama by car, or 35 minutes by bullet train. The region was selected due its superior facilities and accommodation options, coupled with a strong local government commitment and support from the local community.

The arrangement provides Australia’s national teams with access to the Shiroyama Athletic Field and Hilton Odawara Resort which is equipped with elite-level gym facilities.

The Wallabies will be the first team on site when they converge on Odawara for a training week prior to their third and final Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand at Yokohama on October 27. The facilities will also be available for the Wallabies for any time spent in Japan prior to the official commencement of Rugby World Cup 2019.

The Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams will initially use the facilities for pre-Olympic training camps in 2019.

“We wanted to secure a home away from home in Japan for our Qantas Wallabies and Sevens teams and Odawara was a standout submission after we fielded strong interest from across the country.

“The Odawara community has embraced our teams and there is a high level of support for Rugby and the Wallabies in the region. In Odawara, we also have a very committed and accommodating local government partner and we look forward to establishing a great friendship with the people of Odawara over the coming years.”

An Introduction to Odawara

Odawara is a regularly ignored entryway to nature and history. Sightseers searching for places or towns rich in Japanese conventional culture regularly settle on Hakone or Karuizawa, however why travel so far when this excellence is on Tokyo’s doorstep?

Most celebrated for Odawara Castle, initially implicit the mid fifteenth century and held by the Hojo tribe, Odawara is a fortune trove for those intrigued by Japan’s tremendously discussed Warring States Era. It likewise happens to be Tokyo’s nearest stronghold and keep mix, a little more than a hour away via prepare.

The château isn’t Odawara’s just distinguishing strength. It is additionally the main town inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which is acclaimed for its hot springs and unimaginable perspectives of Mt Fuji. Standard transports gone through Odawara taking you to well known climbing goals, and the station is likewise served by six diverse prepare lines including the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Crisp fish is gotten and sold regular at Odawara Harbor. Kamaboko, steamed fish meat framed on a wooden piece, is a mainstream sustenance of decision for Japanese individuals, in spite of the fact that not as acclaimed outside of Japan as sushi or takoyaki. On the off chance that you get yourself snared, the Suzuhiro Kamaboko Museum gives data on Kamaboko’s history and permits guests the likelihood of making their own.

A prime area for fish and ocean sees, Odawara additionally spends significant time in salted plums and paper lamps (so frequently observed at Japanese celebrations amid the mid year months).

Make like local people and make a beeline for Seikantei. Initially the estate of an once distinguished family, it offers a look into the way of life of the old-school Japanese world class and highlights the staples of Japanese home stylistic theme. It’s staggering ocean side perspectives of Sagami Bay disregard a consummately organized conventional garden. Unwind and take in the all-common fragrance of the tatami tangle flooring while you loosen up with tea and scones.

For those going with kids, Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History is a most loved for its broad accumulation of dinosaur fossils and bug displays. At just 510 yen for each individual, this gallery offers amusement and instruction on a financial plan. In the event that the children would rather a more dynamic outing, Odawara Wanpaku Land is a free play area with discretionary paid highlights, for example, a creature stop and little themed rides; the ideal place for a family cookout.

The JR Tokaido Shinkansen takes thirty minutes from Tokyo or Shinagawa Station to Odawara. The Shinkansen is prescribed on the off chance that you need to complete a half-day or entire day stumble on a tight schedule, costing ¥3500 one way.

On the other hand, on the off chance that you have additional time or need to spare cash, you can get to Odawara from Tokyo in around 70-a hour and a half by nearby or fast prepares on the JR Tokaido Main Line (going through Tokyo, Shimbashi and Shinagawa Stations) or the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line (going through Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya Stations) for a large portion of the cost.

These trains are secured by the Japan Rail Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass however the Shinkansen is just secured by the Japan Rail Pass.

Odawara Art Museum

The New York Times writes about the Odawara Art Foundation….

WITHOUT WARNING, the Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto begins to sing. Moments before, he had been guiding me through his minimalist penthouse loft in a verdant neighborhood of Tokyo, explaining in a voice barely louder than a whisper why white Japanese shikkui plaster is the most beautiful surface on which to view shadows. Then, in a soaring tenor, he starts belting out Handel’s “Lascia ch’io pianga,” his strong voice echoing off the bare walls.

Spend any time with Sugimoto, and such scenes will grow familiar: It is all but impossible to know what he will do next. Sugimoto built his name on photography; his meditative, black-and-white images of everything from drive-in movie theaters and eerily naturalistic wax figures to Rothko-esque seascapes are well represented in museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Centre Pompidou, Tate Modern and the J.Paul Getty Museum. Now, a full four decades into his career, there is architecture. At 69 years old, the artist is quietly making an ambitious transition, expanding his two-dimensional vision to one that captures the world in space.

A self-described “unlicensed architect” who splits his time between Tokyo and New York, Sugimoto has brought his monastic Modernist aesthetic to life through the firm New Material Research Laboratory, which he co-founded with the architect Tomoyuki Sakakida in 2008. “Most of my ideas are illegal,” says Sugimoto, who considers it Sakakida’s job “to make it look like it’s legal.” As Sugimoto leads me from his penthouse to a second apartment below — both of which he designed — it becomes clear the firm’s name is intentionally ironic. “New materials means ancient materials. Forgotten,” he says, walking through a hallway paved with stone beams rescued from temples and past sliding doors with a traditional cedar-bark and bamboo surface. “The material usually comes first, and then I think about the design,” he says. The loft has the quality of a Mondrian: Bare white walls are set off against rectangular panels of intricately grained rare woods, a grid of tatami mats and cylindrical white calico-covered stools floating on clear legs (also designed by Sugimoto).

Top 10 things to do in Odawara

Top 10 Things to do in Odawara

Odawara is a city with a long and colorful history. There are things and people to enjoy all over town, but here are some highlights on the area.

1. Odawara Castle

Odawara Castle is a wonderful place to gain insight and feel Japanese history. Just minutes from the station, this is a great place to take a stroll.

2. Visit a Sake Brewery

Sake is the drink of the gods and there are a number of breweries in the area open to tours and tastings.

3. Visit the Morning Fish Market

japan fish market odawara

Odawara fish market still holds the ambiance and feel of a Tsukiji, but without the crowds and regulations limiting contact with fishmongers. Come early on one of our experiences!

4. Try Kamaboko

Get local and try Odawara`s most famous product. Kamaboko has been made for centuries in the city and at the Suzuhiro Kamaboko Village you can taste, learn, and even make your own!

5. Zen in the Mountains

One of Japanese zen buddhism`s most important temples is located deep in the forests around Odawara. A mystical place that offers you an opportunity to stay and take part in a zen experience.

5. Explore the Town

Odawara grew around the castle and it`s close proximity to Tokyo made it a popular place for people to have villas. There are historic traditions, wonderful food, and

6. Ride a Bike

Odawara sits at the base of the Ashigara Plain, a relatively flat area easy for biking. There are great places to visit, things to see, and roads to discover. Biking along the Sakawa river up to Matsuda is a popular route. There are bike tours and bike rentals available in the area.

7. Go Hiking

Odawara is surrounded by beautiful nature. Hike the coastal hills of Nebukawa or go into the deep forests of Ashigara. Many of the trails are easily accessible from the trains stations in the area and there are different levels of challenge available as well.

8. Enjoy the Nightlife

Odawara nightlife is centered around the station and gives you an opportunity to explore and enjoy the sights, sounds, tastes, and drinks of the town. There are wonderful late night places to enjoy a few drinks and connect with the friendly locals.

9. Learn a Traditional Craft

Odawara was once a booming castle town with different industries and crafts catering to the needs of the people and travelers in town. There are still opportunities to see metal casting, woodworking, green tea roasting, and chochin making. Chochin were made in Odawara for the travelers headed toward the dark and steep mountains of Hakone. The Chochin can be thought of as traditional flashlights, lighting the way for travelers. Take part in a Chochin making experience.

10. Enjoy Japanese Sports

There is professional futsal in town, a professional soccer team a few towns over, a sumo tournament in 2017, and Odawara is gearing up for Japan to host the 2020 Olympics and 2019 Rugby World Cup. There are more traditional Japanese sports like Kendo, Karate, and Aikido that you can take part in too.

Odawara to Hakone

Getting to Odawara

Odawara is a beautiful city just south of Tokyo. It is only two shinkansen stops from Tokyo station and many people use Odawara Station as a transit stop on their way to Hakone. Hakone is one of Japan`s most beautiful areas offering hot springs, museums, culture, and history. Odawara is a historic castle town full of history, culture, and wonderful experiences. Odawara station is a stopping point for a number of transportation options that will help you get around the area.

Shinkansen: Visitors can arrive from Kyoto or Tokyo on the Kodama Shinkansen. The stop after Odawara is Atami Only 45 min from Tokyo.

JR Tokaido Line: The JR line is the more local option connects you with Tokyo, Yokohama, Manazuru, and Atami

Odakyu Line: This popular option will take you directly from Tokyo`s Shinjuku station to Hakone-Yumoto Station. The popular “Romance Car” is also run on this line.

Daiyuzan Line: This local train line connects Odawara with Daiyuzan Station, which is the entry point for the wonderful zen mountain temple of Saijoji in the Ashigara Mountains.

JR Gotenba Line: The Gotenba doesn’t leave from Odawara Station, but rather two stops away from Odawara`s Kouzu Station. This is a wonderful line that will take you all the way to Numazu in Shizuoka passing through deep valleys and in front of the majestic Mt. Fuji.

Getting from Odawara to Hakone

There are two basic options to get you from Odawara to Hakone. The first is the Odakyu Line that will take only about 15 minutes to get you to Hakone Yumoto Station. Along the way there are some worthwhile stops to be made at one of the three stations between Odawara and Hakone. The Hakone-Tozan Bus has a number of lines connecting you to various places in Hakone. Outside the East exit of Odawara Station is the bus terminal with lines taking you to Togendai, Moto-Hakone, and Kowakien. All these lines make a stop in front of Hakone-Yumoto Station.

Itabashi Station

Walk the historic hillside villas that were once the vacation spot of politicians and business moguls seeking recluse from Tokyo. This area has nice views of the bay and temperate climate that attracted many interesting people. The Matsunaga Memorial is the former villa of one of Japan`s most successful businessmen. It is now dedicated to his love of the tea ceremony and the grounds and surrounding areas are great for a stroll.

Kazamatsuri Station

Just steps from the station is the Suzuhiro Kamaboko Village and Hakone Beer Brewery. A wonderful place to spend a few hours learning about, eating and even making your own Kamaboko. Kamaboko is an Odawara speciality that has been made in the area for centuries. It is a fish paste cake grilled, steamed, or poached, but always delicious. It is a wonderful pairing with the local craft beer called “Hakone Beer” made in the Kamaboko Village. A great stop on you way to Hakone.

Iruida Station

Only five minutes from the station is the Kanagawa Natural History Museum. A surprisingly beautiful and well presented museum telling the natural history of the earth and the area. It is great for children! Everyone loves dinosaur bones! In spring the locals love to head up the hill on a short hike to see the weeping cherry tree blossoms plated by a famous monk over 300 hundred years ago.

Getting to Hakone from Odawara is short, simple, and an opportunity to see some interesting things along the way. Feel free to use our AI chatbot on Facebook if you have any questions of comments!

 

Odawara Ramen

Odawara ramen in soy sauce based and finds it`s characteristics from the natural surroundings of the Odawara area.

Odawara Guide 2019
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