Skyline Odawara Live Cam

The Enduring Stronghold: Odawara Castle and the Hojo Legacy

Odawara Castle (Odawara-jō), standing proudly in Odawara, Kanagawa, is far more than just a picturesque reconstruction; it's a potent symbol of centuries of power struggles, resilience, and transformation in the Kanto region. While the gleaming white donjon (keep) visitors see today is a 1960 reinforced concrete structure, built upon the massive stone foundations of its predecessor, the history of fortifications on this strategic hill dates back much further, to the Kamakura Period (1185–1333). In those early days, the Doi clan held sway here, and their relatives, the Kobayakawa, established a fortified residence near the current castle site. Political tides shifted, and following the Uesugi Zenshū Revolt of 1416, the Omori clan of Suruga took control of Odawara.