07:30 Depart from Tokyo Station: On the first day of Golden Week, we opted for the local Tokaido Line box seats instead of the Shinkansen to soak up that “little trip” atmosphere from the start.
09:00 Arrive at Odawara Station: Welcomed by the nostalgic “Osaru no Kagoya” (The Monkey’s Palanquin) departure melody, our excitement reached its peak.
09:30 Odawara Castle Conquest: From the main keep to samurai armor experiences and shuriken throwing, Keigo (my young strategist) and I enjoyed a full 2.5-hour “castle siege.”
12:00 Lunch at “Lea Lea” by the Moat: Right at peak lunch hour, we recharged with a delicious “Coconut Milk Chicken Curry” prepared with care by the owner.
12:40 Visit to the Graves of Hojo Ujimasa and Ujinao: We paid our respects in the quiet atmosphere, reflecting on the historical weight of the Hojo clan.
13:00 Uber to Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle: A strategic move to shortcut the steep slopes and save our stamina for the exploration ahead.
13:20 Exploring Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle (Continued 100 Fine Castles): We experienced Hideyoshi’s perspective and treated ourselves to amazing views and sweets at Yoroizuka Farm.
15:30 Return to the station via “Umemaru-go” Sightseeing Bus: We headed down the mountain while listening to the guide’s fascinating commentary.
15:50 Visit the Hojo Soun Statue: We ended our conquest by admiring the statue in front of the station, famous for the “Fire Ox” tactic.
16:00 Depart from Odawara Station: On the way back, we relaxed in Green Class (Premium seats), reflecting on our successful campaign.
Our journey partner: Charizard (Pokemon GO)
2. The Charm of Local Trains and a Miraculous Synchronicity
Since we hadn’t booked the Shinkansen, we deliberately chose box seats on the local line for the outbound journey. With clear views of Mt. Fuji from the window, it was a perfect start to our day.
On the way, Keigo—a huge history buff—was reading a novel about Kuroda Kanbe, and coincidentally reached the “Siege of Odawara” scene. The story and our destination synced in real-time; a true historical coincidence that got us both incredibly hyped.
Additionally, the Tokaido Line is famous for its “Local Melodies” at each station. From Southern All Stars’ “Kibo no Wachi” at Chigasaki to the folk song “Oborozukiyo” at Ninomiya, and “Osaru no Kagoya” at Odawara, listening for these tunes became great entertainment for us.
3. Strategic Maneuvers (A Dad’s Fine Play)
Rediscovering such magnificent castles within day-trip range of Tokyo has inspired me to look for our next “target” in the Kanto area.
“Buying Elevation” with Uber: The climb from Odawara Castle to the hilltop Ichiya Castle is quite steep. By using an Uber discount, we took a shortcut to the top for just 300 yen. Saving the family from a grueling hike in the heat was definitely a “Dad win.”
Recovery in the Green Car: After the local train seats and all the walking, my lower back was feeling the strain. Investing in Green Class for the return leg allowed me to recover in a reclining seat. It was a luxury to spend time reviewing our photos together in comfort.
4. “History x Entertainment” Keeping Kids Engaged
For Keigo, the key to success wasn’t just “seeing” the castle, but the combination of hands-on experience and connecting knowledge.
From Knowledge to the Next Goal: While we couldn’t see the famous “Shoji-bori” (waffle-shaped moats) at Odawara, learning about them made me determined to visit Yamanaka Castle next time to see them in person.
Sweets with a View: “Yoroizuka Farm” at Ichiya Castle features a scenic swing overlooking Sagami Bay. Even if kids aren’t into history, they’ll love the ice cream and the beautiful surroundings.
5. Summary: A Word from Strategist Keigo
On the train home, Keigo whispered, “It feels like we left much longer ago than today.” Indeed, though we only spent about 8.5 hours in total, the density of the experience—from the novel synchronicity to the two-castle conquest—made it feel like a multi-day journey.
For those planning a visit, including a Mother’s Day gift from Yoroizuka Farm, our total for sweets and souvenirs was under 10,000 yen. It’s the perfect day trip that balances strategic budget management with high-quality experiences.
Summary of Our Odawara & Ichigeyajo Castle Mission
"Where did I get that stamp?" "I want to remember the excitement of seeing those stone walls with my child." We developed "ShiroLog" to capture those precious moments.
Covers 1,000+ castles across Japan
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Save memories with family and friends digitally My son Keigo and I use this app to record our adventures. It’s the perfect companion for every castle lover!
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