While most people only pass through Odawara on their way to Hakone, the city has plenty to cool sights and delicious food to offer for those willing to spend a few hours exploring. Best of all, Odawara is only 1.5 hours away from Tokyo so it makes for a perfect day trip on the weekend.
Start the day with a nice stroll through residential neighborhoods (or a quick bus ride) to the Odawara Fish Market, where you can sample a variety of locally caught seafood in market stalls or hole-in-the-wall restaurants. Make sure to try aji (Japanese horse mackerel) that the region is famous for - popularly eaten as sashimi or deep fried.
Location: goo.gl/maps/UkvRZPJZ76qfCD5r7
If you’re willing to wait, then the best restaurant in the Fish Market is the Odawara Fish Market Cafeteria. This humble canteen started off providing filling yet affordable meals to feed the hungry workers of the fish market, but has now evolved into a popular restaurant for tourists. They open at 11 am, but on weekends you can expect a line formed even before they open.
Location: goo.gl/maps/EadFK7EtWPUAikSWA
After breakfast, take a walk in the quiet and peaceful Odawara Castle Park and admire the Odawara Castle. This is the closest castle to Tokyo if you want to check out some traditional Japanese architecture. This 15th century castle was also the last castle conquered by the famed Toyotomi Hideyoshi, thereby reunifying Japan. For 510 yen you can climb to the top of the castle for panoramic views of the city, nearby mountains and the bay.
Location: goo.gl/maps/FUQdmn9zMhEpq6ox6
Finally, for lunch head over to Uogashi Den, a famous seafood restaurant right by Odawara Station, for their specialty - the 3-coloured shirasudon. Shirasu (whitebait) is a popular seafood dish along the Kanagawa coast and here you can get 3 varieties - raw, boiled and marinated in soy sauce.
Location: g.page/uogashi_den?share
✅Check out my Hakone vlogs to create the perfect weekend trip with Odawara!
🗻 Hakone Sightseeing Loop: • A Weekend in Hakone | ...
🍱 Ryokan stay & kaiseki ryori: • A Weekend in Hakone | ...
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