JET Programme Series: Odawara Castle, Kanagawa Prefecture - Christenne Lyons

Odawara castle was most notably the seat of power of the famous Hōjō clan (whose family crest is a triforce... I kid you not). The Hōjō were one of the most powerful Samurai clans in Japan. They controlled most of the Edo region during the Sengoku period - the era of warring states.
 

Odawara castle found itself in an interesting position as the last great stronghold standing in the way between the great daimyō Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the reunification of Japan. Lord Toyotomi saw the powerful Hōjō clan as a direct threat to his efforts to end the civil wars that marked the Sengoku Period and to bring all the states of Japan under one centralised rule. The resulting war in 1590 saw the castle surrounded by an army of approximately 150,000 samurai for three months before the great Odawara - Hōjō clan surrendered, to their eventual demise, in what is today known as "The (third) siege of Odawara".
 

The castle grounds feature many beautiful gardens. There are plum blossoms in early spring, hydrangeas in late June, lotuses in August and currently it's Iris garden is in full bloom. There are also three museums on the castle grounds; The Ninja Museum, the Samurai Museum - dedicated mostly to the famous and highly revered Hōjō Clan, and the Castle Museum which is located inside the castle keep. There are also several souvenir shops, a Hōjō clan themed canteen, a samurai dress up activity, a kids' theme park and several notable events throughout the year including a samurai parade and renaissance-fair in May which honors the memory of the Odawara-Hōjō clan and the great battles of Odawara Castle.
 

Site: Odawara Castle, Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
 

Christenne Lyons
JET (Japanese Exchange & Teaching) Program Assistant Langauge Teacher
Tokyo


JET Series: Odawara Castle, Kanagawa Prefecture (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)


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