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Have fun with cosplay in Odawara Castle Park south of Tokyo

Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Back in the days of feuding lords, the powerful Hojo Clan controlled a large part of Japan from Odawara Castle. Transport yourself back to the castle’s fifteenth-century glory days with a cosplay session in the castle grounds.
 
Accessible in just over 30 minutes by Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station, Odawara Castle is the closest castle keep to Tokyo. At Tokiwagi Gate Samurai Museum in Odawara Castle Park, choose from samurai armor, ninja gear, and even princess costumes. The samurai armor is made by the Hojo Handmade Armor Team, a volunteer group of history fanatic local seniors. Started in 1998, the team now has more than 100 members who learned how to make armor using cardboard with the help of professional armor craftsmen.
 
Once suited up, stroll around the Castle Park and have your photo taken with the magnificent view of Odawara Castle as our backdrop.
 
Costume rental is available at the Tokiwagi Gate Samurai Museum.

How to get there

From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Odawara Station (about 30 minutes). The castle is about a 10-minute walk from Odawara Station.

7-17 Jonai, Odawara-shi, Kanagawa-ken