Greater Tokyo

See & Do

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Odawara Castle Tenshukaku

Odawara Castle Tenshukaku

Odawara Castle is an impregnable castle that was designated as a national historic site and preserved through reconstruction and restoration. The first to fifth floors of the castle tower introduce the history of the castle from the Edo period to the present day. From the observation deck on the top floor, which is approximately 60 meters above sea level, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Sagami Bay. In Odawara Castle Ruins Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of flowers and plants throughout the year, including cherry blossoms, wisteria, irises, and ume (Japanese plum).Exhibits specializing in weapons such as armor and swords are held to introduce the spirituality of the samurai and the art of the weapons.This castle provides a fun time reliving the medieval era. Inside the castle is an excellent museum and outside, near the back, you can try on the armor of a ninja warrior for a memorable picture of your visit.The lovely contrast between Odawara Castle’s white castle tower and the pale pink of the cherry blossoms can be seen every year from late March to early April. When night falls at Odawara Castle’s Honmaru Square, they hold the “Odawara Castle Cherry Blossom Light-up: Night Cherry Blossoms Dyed in Light” event, creating an even more magical atmosphere.Odawara Castle Hydrangea and Iris Festival: Odawara Castle is designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles. In the iris garden located in the east moat of the Odawara Castle Keep, visitors can enjoy about 10,000 iris flowers in full bloom from early to mid June. The garden will be lit up at night which creates a mysterious vista.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Shonan Beach Park

Shonan Beach Park

Shonan Beach Park is a gigantic park stretching about 2 km along the Kugenuma and Katase Coasts. The spacious 17-hectare grounds of Shonan Beach Park contain a surf village, which is bustling with surfers and people playing marine sports throughout the year. There is also a kids' space with big playground equipment and a sandbox, and a green lawn with palm trees that overlooks the ocean. The park is fully equipped for all purposes and is loved by visitors in summer as well as the local people.

Nature & Views Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Hakone Crafthouse (Inside Gora Park)

Hakone Crafthouse (Inside Gora Park)

Nestled in Gora Park’s charming nature, Hakone Crafthouse is a facility that sells traditional Hakone crafts and offers hands-on workshops. Select from an array of classes—including glassblowing, pottery making, sandblasting, kiriko glassmaking, lampwork bead making, jewelry bead making, and pottery painting—and create a one-of-a-kind, personalized piece of art. Thanks to its diverse range of experiences, Hakone Crafthouse is a fun and educational place for people of all ages. The facility even offers assistance in English.While you can take some crafts home on the same day, others require additional work and will be shipped to you at a later date. The facility offers both domestic and international shipping (for an additional fee).Hakone Crafthouse’s shop, Komamonoya Hakone, sells locally produced glass and pottery products, including traditional Hakone crafts, making it a wonderful place to pick up a souvenir that complements your handmade one.

Experience & Activities Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Byakue Dai-Kannon

Byakue Dai-Kannon

This impressive, towering statue of the Goddess of Mercy is a well-known symbol of Takasaki. You can walk up 146 steps inside the statue, climbing nine levels to its shoulders, where you will be greeted with views across Takasaki. The statue is within the grounds of Jigenin Temple. People pray to the 20 enshrined Buddhas placed within it. The statue is most beautiful in spring, when cherry blossoms from the surrounding temple gardens frame it, and in autumn, when the garden's maple trees turn red and yellow. Byakue Dai-Kannon is 41.8 meters tall and weighs nearly 6,000 tons.

Culture & Arts Nakasendo Mikuni kaido GUNMA
The Sumida Hokusai Museum

The Sumida Hokusai Museum

Katsushika Hokusai, a world-renowned ukiyo-e artist, was born in Honjo-Wari-Gesui (presently the Kamezawa area in Sumida Ward, Tokyo) in 1760 and spent almost his entire 90 years of life in Sumida Ward where he created a large number of masterpieces. In honor of this outstanding artist whom many local citizens are truly proud of, the Sumida Ward opened the Sumida Hokusai Museum as a base to invigorate the local community and contribute to the region’s industry and tourism. The collection features an exhibit of Hokusai and his disciples. Exhibitions of research and many other activities of relationships between Hokusai and Sumida are held. 

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA