Odawara Castle & The Matsunaga Memorial

The town of Odawara is about a two hour train ride west of Yokosuka. Our first stop was the famous Odawara Castle which was built in the mid-15th century. A number of different Japanese clans have ruled the castle throughout the years but it's now a Japanese national historic site.

Walking through the Umadashi-mon gate

 

 

 

 

Bern enjoying the ocean breeze on the top floor

   

Inside the castle is a museum with four levels of historic artifacts, including some really cool Samurai armor and swords.

 

Since we wanted to spend the entire day in Odawara, we decided to take a short taxi ride after the castle to check out The Matsunaga Memorial Hall. This place was dedicated to Yasuzaemon Matsunaga, who was very influential in the beginnings of Japan's electricity system in the early 1900's. Because of his work, Yasuzaemon was nicknamed "the demon of power." He was also a very famous master of the tea ceremony who lived out his retirement years here in Odawara. Within the compound was a main residence, another building which housed his many antiques, and right in the middle a huge koi pond.

 

 

 

Not sure if we are related in anyway, but it was a little surreal to visit a memorial pavilion bearing the Matsunaga name. Nonetheless, something I'm really glad we got to see during our trip to Odawara.