Located in western Kanagawa Prefecture, Odawara is about 40 minutes by Shinkansen (bullet train)
from nearby Tokyo, and serves a role as the gateway to Mount Fuji, Hakone, and Izu. Based on its rich natural environment and temperate climate, it prospered as a castle town where various forms of traditional culture thrived from the days of old, as evidenced by its many historical sites and local products.
Visit Odawara to get to know the city, its people, and its artisanship through its history, culture, noted local specialties, nature, and hands-on experiences.
- Population: Approx. 200,000
- Size: 114.06 km2
Odawara Castle, Symbol of Odawara
Various resources developed over several eras, centring on Odawara Castle, have given rise to the town of Odawara. Let’s cast our thoughts back to antiquity and get a feel for the history that has been passed down to us.
Donjon
The castle’s predecessor was a castle built on a hill by the Omori clan in the Muromachi era (1338–1573), and after becoming the seat of Odawara Hojo clan in the Warring States period, it was expanded as a base from which to control the Kanto region. The donjon is a 1960 reproduction of its appearance at the end of the Edo era.
The three-tiered, four-story keep is equipped with attached and connecting gallery turrets, suits of armour, swords, old documents and other historical materials are on exhibit inside. The uppermost floor overlooks Sagami Bay and the city.
Odawara Castle Park
With the donjon tha
t stands in the inner citadel as its centrepiece, Castle Park is a leisure spot for city residents and sightseers that is known for its flowers, including plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and hydrangeas. The Tokiwagi and other castle gates and Umaya Bailey were rebuilt after the donjon’s reconstruction. Most of the inner and outer citadels and part of the outer walls have been designated as national historical sites. Vestiges of the Edo period, including the site of Ote-mon Gate and the former site of Kodaguchi-mon Gate, remain throughout the vicinity.
The Manly Odawara Student Exchange Program: “Tokimeki International School”
Odawara city and Australia’s Manly city share friendship town relations.
We have run the “Tokimeki International School” student exchange program with Manly since 1991. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the program.
Students from both Manly and Odawara visit each other’s schools and stay with their host families every year. Through this program and the associated cultural experience, the students begin their path to becoming true global citizens.
Smoking Ceremony and Hiroshima 70th Anniversary Peace Day Ceremony at Peace Park, Manly, Australia
Students from Manly and Odawara participated in a Hiroshima 70th Anniversary Peace Day Ceremony at Peace Park, Manly on August 6 2015. As part of the Peace Day event, they took part in a Smoking Ceremony conducted by local Indigenous elders.
The students prayed for peace and gave thanks for our two countries’ peaceful relationship, especially between our two cities, Odawara and Manly.
We cherish the many friendships that have developed as a result of this exchange program and we hope that such friendships will continue to be made in the future.
This program is supported by many people in Manly, Odawara, and beyond – we always appreciate their support for Manly and Odawara. This year, we wish to express our thanks to Mr Rajic and Mr Shiba of CLAIR Sydney, who supported the exchange program as interpreters.
