Hello everyone, how are you? I wish you have a nice week!

This time, let’s go to Odawara castle.

The street in front of the Odawara castle full with blooming cherry-blossom, it is very attractive. Very nice for you to take a photo or just some nice walk, admiring the flowers.

There is a big moat separating the street and the castle was build to protect the castle itself when war period. Impressive, how can people from the old day made that river without heavy machine? I keep wondering, they must be very strong back then to be able to build this huge building…. Anyway, right now the moat is switching to be an enjoyable sightseeing spot. You can rent a little boat for around 30 minutes to enjoy the flower petals rain. I really want to give it a try, but the waiting line is a bit long so in the end I didn’t get to the boat. But I highly recommend it for you to try, you will get a new experience seeing the sakura rather than the usual walking-sightseeing.

Let’s go in the castle gate! More sakura… and wait, you can also rent traditional clothes to wear! This time I give it a try with my friend, Katō-san. I wear a kabuto (name of the head armor), its actually for boys, and she wear a light yukata. We go around walking with this set up for around 10 minutes, acting as tough we are people from the past. We had a fun time, and many people also asked to take a photo with us, hahaha. By the way, to rent this clothes you need to pay 300 JPY per person. You can choose to dress up as a boy or as a girl despite your gender, so its really fun!

For this time, I don’t go in the Odawara castle because we can always go in there. But the sakura? They only bloom for a short time, so we spend the rest of our day enjoying the sakura outside the castle. (But maybe I will come back with report about Odawara castle, so stay tuned!)

After walking and taking photos in front of the castle, we continue to the next part of this building. A Shinto shrine (jinja) honoring Ninomiya Sontoku (二宮 尊徳). He is well-known for his smart and hard-working quality. The statue pictures him reading a book while carrying a wood blocks. This shows Ninomiya Sontoku diligence, that he keep studying while working. Japanese children are usually told to follow his studious example.

Like every shrine in Japan, you can also buy lucky charm or fortune-telling paper here. People also come to pray at this shrine. Last but not least, buy an ema (small wooden plaque) to write down your wish! (Psst, I can’t help myself not to read the ema. It was so interesting reading all those dreams everyone wish for… I hope everyone’s dreams come true… Also your dream to come to Japan too! Cheers!)

Last special photos and report! To celebrate this beautiful season, Odawara Castle are open until 8 p.m. from March 26 until April 5. Odawara Castle’s Yozakura (Night Cherry-blossom) look dazzling. Personally, I think walking under Yozakura with your loved one is very romantic. Recommended date spot! ♥

-Vivi-

Information

* Please refer to the latest info before visiting the place.