Hike a section of the ancient forest-clad Tokaido Highway that links Tokyo with former capitals Kyoto and Osaka. Experience Amazake Chaya, one of the few remaining of hundreds of teahouses that lined the old Tokaido, Cedar Avenue with towering 400 year-old Japanese cedar patrolling both sides of the trail, and stunning views of Mt Fuji (weather permitting) from Yamanaka Castle Ruins, and more. Hakone Hachiri has been declared a Japan Heritage Area. Allow our guide to immerse you in the history, culture, and natural heritage of this ancient route.

Hike Hakone Hachiri

Discover the history and stories of the samurai and ninja at Odawara Castle on this exploration and experience into Japanese culture and history. Odawara Castle is the centerpiece for this walking tour that will include historic insight, local goods, craft shops, and much more. This castle was the grounds for some of Japan's most famous samurai and ruled over a large part of central Japan during the Sengoku Period of Japanese history. The city of Odawara still has many connections to the traditions and culture of the time of the samurai.

Learn about the history of the samurai, architecture of Japanese castle, and all about the mysterious ninja. A short stop by a local shrine is also included as we explore this historic city on foot.

Odawara is conveniently located just south of Tokyo, nestled between the shores of the Pacific Ocean and mountains of Hakone. 

Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour

In this tour, you will start from my hometown, Minamiashigara 神奈川県南足柄市. 1) pick up at Odawara Station at 9am 2) go to the temple with 600 years old history by train and bus 3) forest bath in the path up the temple with the centuries old cedar and cypress trees along the way 4) visit the temple with the folklores being told 5) lunch at the nearby temple cafe 6) onsen (hot spring) near the temple, the facility is famous for healing your body and soul 湯冶温泉. 7) finish at Odawara station.

Please note that the tour price doesn’t include lunch, (around 2000 yen), transportation fee or onsen fee (around 2000yen).

Lunch could be at a Japanese tea house within the temple or in the onsen facility.

Please bring comfortable walking shoes and warm clothes for walking in the forest.

There’s luggage storage in Odawara station which you can use.

Meeting point: Beck’s Coffee, 3Fl of Odawara station

Ending point of this tour:
Odawara station


Forest Bathing in Temple and Enjoy onsen with healing power

Hosted by one of Japan's leading ninja experts and a bilingual local guide, this experience lets you meet and learn from a ninja scholar and take a tour of the Odawara Castle grounds and practice some of the fundamental techniques used by the ninja. 

The experience will start with a guided walking tour of Odawara Castle by a local bilingual expert, visiting the Samurai Museum and the castle grounds to see some authentic artifacts and learn about their role and culture. You will move through the Ninja Museum and learn and practice some of the techniques together with the ninja expert, such as meditation, movement, real tools and weapons used by ninja. Odawara is your gateway to Hakone and memorable experience in Japan.

3:30pm: Meet at the Ninja Museum in Odawara Castle Park

3:30pm: English guided tour in Odawara Castle Park

5:00pm: Ninja training experience at the Ninja Museum

6:00pm: Experience to finish 


Ninja, Samurai, Odawara Castle Experience

Explore the always-popular Hakone with a round-trip ticket on the fast Odakyu Lines for 2 or 3 days. Gain unlimited access to the Hakone Tozan Cable Car, Hakone Tozan Bus, Hakone Ropeway, and more!
Gain unlimited use of 8 convenient modes of transportation, which include Odakyū Odawara Line Ordinary Train: 1 roundtrip (between Shinjuku Station & Odawara Station)
Unlimited rides on 8 transportation networks in Hakone which includes(Hakone Tozan Railway,Hakone Tozan Cable Car,Hakone,Tozan Bus,Hakone Tozan Bus,Hakone Sightseeing Cruise,Hakone Ropeway,Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus and Tokai Bus).
Enjoy discounts at over 70 exciting facilities such as hot springs and hip art galleries

Hakone Free Pass, 2-3 Days Travel Voucher Japan

Embark on a breathtaking journey through Hakone, where nature and serenity converge. Departing from Hakone Yumoto, your adventure begins with a scenic ride on the Hakone Tozan Railway, followed by a cable car and ropeway, offering panoramic views of majestic mountains and volcanic landscapes. As you ascend, witness the dramatic sight of smoke rising from volcanic vents and immerse yourself in the beauty of the mountainous terrain. Upon reaching Lake Ashi, board a tranquil sightseeing boat to glide across the water, soaking in the stunning vistas of the lake framed by the towering presence of Mt. Fuji. This unforgettable experience, guided by an expert, invites you to explore one of Japan’s most iconic scenic destinations, blending natural beauty with cultural wonder. A perfect day for nature lovers and adventure seekers!

Hakone Scenic Adventure Nature and Tranquil Journey 

For those for whom mere sightseeing is not enough...

This is the ultimate cultural experience, where you can bathe in waterfalls, purify your mind, and encounter the “real” Japan!
Surrounded by the sacred nature of Japan, this experience is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will sharpen your spirit in the silence of 
. The prayers of local monks, the challenge of performing waterfall rituals in authentic street clothes, and the feeling of refreshment afterwards will be the unforgettable highlights of your trip.
For those who seek the “extraordinary” and the “real Japan,” this is a trip that will touch you from the bottom of your heart.


“Takigyo”Traditional Japanese Waterfall Training meditation 

Discover the authentic sounds of the "Koto", Japanese traditional stringed instrument!
Come join to my class. Anyone, even a complete beginner, can enjoy playing beautiful sounds. 

When you join this class, you won't just play the ”Koto"; you'll also feel Japanese history and culture.

The outline of this experience is as below
-Explanation about "Koto"
-Instruction how to play "Koto" by using special attachment nails 
-Try playing "Koto"
-Performance by the instructor
-Photo session

I am qualified to teach Koto.
Odawara, a historic castle town, is my hometown.
 I created this experience activity because I want to share the joy of experience traditional Japanese music right here in this historic city.

Japanese Traditional Music Experience

Odawara Castle invites you to an exclusive experience becoming a lord of the castle. Get suited in a samurai armor, walk the castle grounds, be entertained and enjoy ninja experience during your time. This will be a private experience and you will have an exclusive access to the castle main keep and the Ninja Museum after its business hours. This unique experience is specially curated for you. Enjoy this luxurious and special itinerary only in Odawara. Dinner at Seikantei can be arranged with an additional fee if asked ahead of time. 

Become a Lord of Odawara Castle Private Tour 

Kamakura is such a compact city that you can see the whole area within a day. One of the representative sight-seeing spots is Big Image of Buddha in Kotokuin temple. From there, you can travel almost all the famous temples for six hours. 

Many historical sites are covered in public transportation services. On the way to Hachimangu, we can enjoy shopping on KOMACHI street. While walking through the street, we can feel something different from the western culture. In this area, there are many valuable temples and shrines within a walk. So, we can visit many historical temples and shrines such as so-called hydrangea temple and bamboo grove temple. All these temples are located in calm environment, so you will feel like being in KAMAKURA ZEN Buddhism style. 

About 1 hour from JR Kita Kamakura station, we will visit the 2nd largest city YOKOHAMA. This time, we will stop over at China town in ISHIKAWA cho in Yokohama. We can enjoy a variety of Chinese cuisines for reasonable prices.

Kamakura and Eastern Kyoto with Lots of Temples and Shrines

Hakone is a famous hot spring resort and Fuji view spot just an hour away from Tokyo. Let us enjoy varied sceneries made by the active volcano.
Please choose one or two destinations besides Lake Ashi and Owakudani Valley:
Hakone Open Air museum, Hakone Shrine, Hakone Park, Onsen hot spring bathing, Hakone Checkpoint.

Hakone customized private one day tour

A meditation experience with a Japanese monk at the top of Odawara Castle Main Keep. This experience is held outside of business hours, so the venue is reserved for exclusive use. Forget about your daily life as your monk guides you through this special space and activity. Spend some time relaxing and reflecting during the meditational experience. You can also enjoy a spectacular view from the top of the castle. A scenic beauty surrounded by the sea and mountains from the exclusive access to the top floor of Odawara Castle while you discover traditional techniques to find peace and balance in our lives. 

5:00pm: Meet at the entrance of Odawara Castle Main Keep

5:15pm: Experience to start

6:45pm: Experience to finish

A person must be 18 years old or above to join this experience.

ZEN Meditation with a Japanese Monk in Odawara Castle

Explore Odawara Castle, the stronghold of the powerful Hojo clan, with a professional guide and immerse yourself in the rich history of the Sengoku era. Known for its formidable defenses, this castle withstood numerous attacks from famous warlords. From the top of the main keep, enjoy panoramic views of Odawara and, on clear days, see as far as the Boso Peninsula across Tokyo Bay. Experience the ambitions of the Hojo clan and step back in time to the heart of Japan's turbulent history.

Odawara Castle Discovery of the Sengoku Samurai History

Embark on a flavorful journey through Odawara with a visit to two iconic ramen shops, each offering its own take on the region's distinctive ramen. From thick, frizzy noodles with chashu pork and wontons to rich fish broth reflecting the coastal influence, you'll experience the true essence of Odawara-style ramen. This tour is perfect for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Japan's beloved ramen culture, away from the typical tourist spots.

Odawara Ramen Crawl Experience: Visit 2 Iconic Shops

If you are a cyclist, it is natural that you want to conquer the highest mountain in Japan.
This is the best tour in Japan for people who love cycling, with the best stage and environment, to climb the highest mountain in Japan.
This is a private tour with the highest quality bikes, mechanics, and support cars, so you can fully concentrate on the best cycling.
The start is Odawara Station, 30 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo. From there, you will climb Hakone via the historic Tokaido road. Beginners can stop at the 20km.
From there, you will continue climbing Mt. Fuji. When you reach the top of the Fuji Subaru Line, the highest public road in Japan, you will be proud to say that you have "climbed the highest mountain in Japan."

Mount Fuji Japan Cycling Tour

One of the reasons why the Golden Globe-winning "SHOGUN" became a huge hit is its dedication to Japanese beauty and culture, and its uncompromising attitude. Since Washoku (Japanese cuisine) was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 4, 2013, its popularity has skyrocketed. Odawara lacquerware, a traditional craft made in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, was designated as a "Traditional Craft" by the Minister of International Trade and Industry (now the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry) in May 1984. Create your own unique patterned Japanese tableware and continue to feel the world and culture of Washoku even after returning home!

Lacquer Polishing Create Unique Japanese Tableware

古くから温泉町として栄えた箱根は、都心からも近く、富士山のビューポイントとしても人気がある。海賊船やロープウェイを乗り継いで火口の近くまで行き、火山ガスが吹き出るところを見ることができる。
最後にゆっくり温泉につかって旅の疲れを癒やしてから東京に戻りましょう。

Hakone one-day tour with views and Onsen hot spring!

Begin your unforgettable journey from Odawara Station, where a world of natural beauty and tranquility awaits in Hakone. After arriving comfortably by bus, embark on the scenic Hakone Tozan Railway, offering stunning views as you ascend through lush landscapes. Continue your adventure with a cable car and ropeway ride, showcasing magnificent vistas of volcanic landscapes and green mountains. Marvel at the sight of smoke rising from volcanic vents as you approach higher altitudes. Finally, reach Lake Ashi, where you’ll board a relaxing sightseeing boat, cruising across the serene waters with breathtaking views of Mount Fuji in the distance. This guided tour perfectly combines the vibrant energy of Tokyo with the peaceful beauty of Hakone, creating an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Odawara to Hakone Scenic Adventure

In addition to the official Grand Sumo Tournaments held in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka during odd-numbered months, sumo also features the Provincial Tour (Jungyo), designed to bring the sport closer to fans across Japan and deepen appreciation for the national sport.

This December, a special 1 day event will be held in Odawara, just about 30 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Unlike the main tournaments, this tour offers rare opportunities: watch training sessions up close, join handshake events with real wrestlers, and enjoy premium seats right by the ring.

In addition to regular matches, ring-entering ceremonies, and the traditional bow-twirling finale, spectators can also experience unique performances rarely seen at official tournaments, including Shokkiri (comic sumo), Sumo Jinku (traditional sumo songs), and Yagura Daiko Uchiwake (drum demonstration).

This is a rare opportunity for sumo fans around the world!

2025 1 Day Winter Sumo Official Provincial Tour at Odawara

Experience a unique bar hopping tour in the charming town of Odawara, away from the bustling downtown of Tokyo. Explore traditional izakayas near Odawara Station and indulge in a variety of sake paired with local delicacies like oden, ramen, and other popular Japanese dishes. Whether you’re enjoying the tour solo or with a companion, the atmosphere in Odawara offers a taste of authentic Japanese nightlife that you won’t find in the city’s tourist spots. Over the course of 1.5 hours, visit some of the town’s favorite hidden gems and enjoy a one-of-a-kind local experience.

Bar Hopping in Odawara A Guide to Local Spots

- The event will take place in a room in a 100-year-old traditional Japanese inn that combines history, charm, and modernity.
- You will be able to experience tea preparation by an Urasenke instructor.
- You will be able to taste tea prepared by the instructor and traditional Japanese sweets.
- You will also be able to experience making tea yourself.


Experiences in Oiso, Japan