小田原北條五代祭り Odawara Castle and Hōjō Godai Festival
詳細
To join this event please see below and send me a message on LINE. Without this, you will not find out our meeting point. EVERYONE needs to do this EVERY TIME, including those who have participated with me previously.
In addition to the festival, the event will include castle sightseeing.
2025 event schedule
Odawara castle website
Festival video
◾️After you have applied to join this event, please contact Mark Sensei via the Line application quoting your FULL NAME and this message: [Odawara - 3rd May] Mark's LINE ACCOUNT
◾️参加されるイベントの名前(フルネーム)と日付を付けてマーク先生にLINEしてください!
例:[Odawara - 3rd May] Mark's LINE ACCOUNT
We'll leave Odawara station at 9.30am, so please ensure you arrive at least 10 minutes earlier.
You need to bring:
- Additional money for castle entrance fees.
- Lunch - we will be going directly to the castle.
The Odawara Hōjō Godai Festival is a significant event held in Odawara City. It has its roots in the history of the Hojo clan, who were powerful feudal lords in the Kanto region during the Kamakura period (1185-1333).
The festival commemorates the legacy of the Hojo clan and their adherence to the five Confucian virtues known as "Godai" in Japanese: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and fidelity. These virtues were central to the philosophy and governance of the Hojo clan.
The festival honors the warlords of the powerful Hojo clan that ruled the region for five generations starting in the late 15th century.
The procession sets out from the grounds of the elegant Odawara Castle , slowly making its way through the city. Hundreds of samurai warriors in colorful costumes, including musket-toting foot soldiers and cavalry, march along with women in antique kimono, bands of ninja, and other performers looking like they stepped out of Japan's feudal past.
The exact origins of the Odawara Hōjō Godai Festival are not precisely documented, but it likely began as a local celebration within the Odawara community to honor the Hojo clan's contributions to the region. Over time, it evolved into a larger and more elaborate event, incorporating various cultural performances, rituals, and ceremonies.
Today, the festival typically features traditional processions, performances, martial arts demonstrations, and cultural exhibitions. It serves as a platform for locals to showcase their heritage and for visitors to experience the rich history and traditions of Odawara City and the surrounding area.
Additional fees:
Odawara Castle ¥510 (general admission). Additional fees here .
Event fee:
¥800 - early discount if you pay by 23rd April (PayPay, or in cash at an earlier event).
¥1250 if you pay between 24th April - 2nd May early evening (PayPay, or in cash at an earlier event).
¥1500 in cash on the event day (3rd May) - please bring the correct money (see the NOTE below).
NOTE: requesting to pay on the day of the event is upon the understanding that you will either attend the event OR arrange for the event fee to be paid via PayPay within 24 hours. Failure to do so may result in your removal from the group. See the cancellation policy below.
If you don't have PayPay, please ask a friend or coworker to do the transaction for you (give them cash!).
Cancellation policy:
- Full refund given if cancellation is notified BY LINE MESSAGE at least 24 hours before the event start time.
- Cancellation within 24 hours of the event start time or no-showing requires full payment of the event fee.
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After the event, you may submit a review/evaluation. Please kindly rate appropriately as a low evaluation has an impact on the group. Things you should clearly understand in advance:
- I (Mark) am not a tour guide. For many events this will also be my first time, and events are mainly organised based on intensive internet research.
- Nature cannot be guaranteed, so flower festivals may be impacted by the recent climate.
- We aim to depart on time, however bus schedules might change. This is unavoidable.
- We request participants arrive EARLY. In rare cases we might wait a few minutes if we do not need to take a bus.
- The number of participants is not guaranteed. However we will not have large groups.
- The event finish time might be earlier or later than advertised. The hiking time might be longer/shorter than anticipated. Return bus times are not guaranteed.
How to calculate your review appropriately:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars) = Everything was as described.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars) = The event was generally ok, but there were a few things that you weren't happy with (please provide further details).
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars) = The event was disappointing (please provide further details).
⭐️⭐️ (2 stars) = The event was poor (please provide further details).
⭐️ (1 star) = The event was terrible (please provide further details).