Tag: castle

Fuma Ninja, the Legend of Odawara

"Fuma Ninja, Legend of Odawara" Show

Kanagawa Prefecture will present the stage show “Fuma Ninja, Legend of Odawara” about the Fuma ninja that served the Hojo Clan from Odawara Castle during the time of the samurai. This show will showcase the rich history and charm of the Odawara area in western Kanagawa.

In November there will be the “Kanagawa Festival in Hanoi 2019” (November 16-17) where the “Fuma Ninja, Legend of Odawara” show is also planned to be shown.

This is the second year this performance will be held. With the popularity of the ninja overseas the organizers under the tourism board are working to promote and develop the local historical connections with the ninja. The ninja have a deep rooted history with the area around Odawara City and the area. We will continue the promotion of the ninja history and culture with Kanagawa Prefecture to ignite interest in Odawara and the area.

Who are the Odawara Fuma Ninja?

The Fuma Ninja existed for many generations. The head of the clan was always named “Kotaro.” The fifth generational leader was said to have been more than 2 meters tall, muscular, sharp piercing eyes, an inverted beard, and fanged teeth. Little documentation on the ninja exist and there are many mysteries surrounding them. Recently the ninja have become popular and romanticized in pop culture. The Naruto manga has gained popularity in Japan and abroad. The Fuma ninja and fuma weapons make appearances in this popular manga. In April of 2019 the “Ninja Museum” opened in Odawara Castle park to continue the promotion and connection between the area and the ninja.

The Fuma Ninja blend into daily life, but in the shadows and away from others the Fuma Ninja continue to practice their ninja skills and hone their mental state. When enemies appear, their lord is targeted, or when the weak of society are targeted the Fuma Ninja will appear to vanquish the enemy.

Ninja Show Information

Kanagawa Festival in Hanoi 2019

Fuma Ninja Show Dates & Times
November 16, 2019 – November 17, 2019 (showtimes to be determined)

Show Venue
Ly Thai To Park, Main Stage (Hanoi, Vietnam) Free Entrance

Interesting Points
In 2018 an estimated 70,000 people gathered to enjoy the festivities and entertainment
In addition to the Fuma Ninja performance and traditional Japanese music there will be ninja experiences to enjoy. You can try a shuriken, ninja throwing star, dress as a ninja and more to feel and experience the world of the ninja.

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.

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 Guide 2019
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