Impenetrable and unconquerable, even Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin submitted to it — Odawara Castle

Odawara is located at a strategic point along the Tokaido route and has since ancient times been a vital passageway to the Hakone area. Centered around Odawara Castle, the city boasts numerous historic sites and landmarks, as well as local specialties such as fish cake and umeboshi (pickled plums). Yugawara is famed for its hot springs, and its picturesque setting of mountains and sea attracted literary figures such as Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Kunikida Doppo, and Shimazaki Toson. Even today, strolling through its tranquil hot spring town, one can still sense a strong literary atmosphere.

The Odawara Castle within the area was the stronghold of the Hojo clan during Japan’s Warring States period. In an effort to repel Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s attack, the Hojo clan undertook massive construction projects to fortify the castle walls, making it the largest and most impregnable fortress of its time. Even the two great generals, Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, failed to capture it, earning it the titles “The Castle That Cannot Be Taken” and “The Strongest Fortress Under Heaven.”...Click to see all attraction introductions




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