Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour

Walk the grounds where samurai ruled and learn what ninja actually were

This three-hour walking tour of Odawara covers the castle grounds, the Ninja Museum, and the Samurai Museum with a live English-speaking guide and all entry tickets included. You start at Odawara Station and explore on foot through the historic city, stopping at a local shrine and craft shops along the way. The tour moves at a moderate pace across preserved castle architecture and museum collections of genuine samurai armor and swords.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Odawara Castle and Town

• Meet at Odawara Station Tourist Center
• City walking tour with bilingual guide
• Explore Odawara Castle grounds
• Visit Ninja Museum and learn about ninja
• Stop by Samurai Museum to see armor
• Walk around castle grounds and museum
• Visit shrine dedicated to famous scholar

The Experience

Odawara Castle sits at the center of this walking tour, and the grounds themselves tell the story: the preserved architecture and original forms show how castles were built during the Sengoku Period, when this fortress ruled over a large part of central Japan. Your guide walks you through the museum inside the castle to explain the conflicts that took place here and the historical figures who visited. The city around the castle still carries the traditions and culture of the samurai era: craft shops, local goods, and the shrine on the castle grounds dedicated to one of Japan's most famous scholars all fit into the three-hour route.

Two museums break up the walking: the Ninja Museum explains what ninja actually were, the tools they used, and the techniques they mastered, moving past the popular fiction. The Samurai Museum displays genuine armor and swords that show the craftsmanship and artistry of the period. Both are stops on the route, not detours, and entry to all three sites (castle, ninja museum, samurai museum) is included in the tour price. A local bilingual guide leads the whole day, so the history and architecture get explained as you move through each space.

The tour starts inside Odawara Station at the Tourist Information Center near the East exit, so you don't need a car to arrive. From there, everything happens on foot through the historic city. Local food is available along the way if you want to eat, though meals are not included. The route passes shops and restaurants as part of the walk through town.

What’s included

• Entry tickets to Odawara Castle, the Ninja Museum, and the Samurai Museum.
• a live bilingual guide in English for the full three hours.
• a stop at a local shrine on the castle grounds.

Days and timesMon–Fri · 10:00

AgesAges 18+ · 6 to 17 years · Under 6

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Meet the guide at the Odawara Station Tourist Information Center inside Odawara Station.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Discover Odawara

Is this one for you?The tour starts at Odawara Station, so you don't need a car or a separate transfer to reach the meeting point. Just arrive by train and walk into the Tourist Information Center. Everything from there happens on foot through the historic city, which means the whole day is accessible whether you're staying in Odawara or traveling from Tokyo.

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Top questions

Can children come?

6 to 17 years; under 6.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is the Ninja Museum actually about?

The Ninja Museum teaches what ninja really were, not the popular fiction version, and shows the actual tools they used and the techniques they mastered. It's a museum stop on the walking route, included in the tour.

Where does the tour start and how do I get there?

The tour starts at the Tourist Information Center inside Odawara Station at the East exit, next to the New Days convenience store. You can reach the station by train from Tokyo, and the meeting point is inside the station itself.

What's inside Odawara Castle that we'll see?

Odawara Castle has a museum inside where your guide walks you through the history of the conflicts that took place there and the prominent historical figures who visited. The preserved grounds and original architecture show how castles were built during the Sengoku Period.

Are meals included in the tour?

Meals are not included, but the walking route passes local shops and restaurants where you can try local food if you want to eat during the tour.

How much walking is involved?

The tour is a walking tour through the historic city on foot, and you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The route covers the castle grounds, two museums, a local shrine, and craft shops across three hours.