Your stay — Ryokan Plum
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Odawara.
The Property — Ryokan Plum
Stepping into Ryokan Plum feels like walking into a calm, old-school Japanese inn that hasn't chased trends. The lobby smells faintly of tatami and hinoki wood, with a modest garden view through sliding doors. It suits the traveller who wants a genuine, simple ryokan experience near Odawara's castle and hot springs, not luxury frills. The USP is its location: a short walk from Odawara Station and the castle park, and its honest service.
Chronicles of Odawara
Odawara grew around its castle, built in the 15th century by the Daimyo clan, becoming a key post town on the Tokaido road in the Edo period. The city's architecture mixes reconstructed castle grounds with concrete modernity, reflecting post-war rebuilding. Today, Odawara is a commuter base for Tokyo (85 minutes by train) and a gateway to Hakone's hot springs. Its cultural identity leans on castle festivals and marine sports along Sagami Bay, with a gritty, practical local character.
Best Time to Visit
Full Odawara guide →Best months
April (cherry blossoms at the castle, mild days) and November (autumn leaves, cool and calm). Both have manageable crowds outside Golden Week.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season for Odawara, driven by summer holidays, the Odawara Summer Festival (includes a massive hanabi display over the sea in late July), and Hakone access. Hotel prices jump 30-50% from off-peak; book well ahead.
Budget shoulder season
September and October are ideal budget shoulders: stable weather, fewer families, lower room rates (often 20-30% off peak). Late May also works, with good weather just before rainy season.
Weather & packing
Odawara's July is humid and hot, often above 30°C, with frequent afternoon showers from the seasonal rain front. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and a foldable umbrella — a hat and sunscreen are essential for castle ramparts.
Live City Briefing — Odawara
- Odawara Castle's main keep is undergoing a roof tile renewal through autumn 2026, so scaffolding may obstruct the famous profile but interior is open.
- A new direct bus from Odawara Station to Hakone Gora launched in March 2026, cutting transfer time to 50 minutes — check the Odakyu website for stops.
- The Odawara Summer Fireworks (late July 2026) will see road closures near the coast from 18:00; plan to walk or use the event shuttle from Odawara Station.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ryokan Plum, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (facing away from the street). These upper floors avoid ground-level noise and still offer quick stair access since there’s no lift. If available, a corner room on the south-east side often catches morning light without afternoon heat.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any rooms on the ground floor or the 2nd floor directly above the entrance/lobby. Ground-floor rooms are vulnerable to street noise from Odawara’s main road, while the 2nd floor may pick up footfall and conversation from the reception area.
Best views
Rooms at the rear face a residential area and possibly a small garden or courtyard, offering a calm, green outlook—not the street. Upper floors may have partial views of the Hakone mountains on clear days if positioned correctly.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are the quietest, with less foot traffic and better sound insulation from street-level activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Odawara’s main street can be busy from early morning (6–9am) and again in the evening (5–7pm). The hotel’s no-lift setup means guest noise from stairs can travel to nearby rooms, particularly on the 2nd floor.
Insider tips
1) Request a room on the 3rd floor well in advance—this hotel has no lift, so the added stairs discourage noise from passing guests. 2) Check in by 3pm to secure a rear-facing room; they’re quieter and often have better light in the afternoon.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Ryokan Plum
free wifi throughout, 50 Mbps down, login via room number and surname
one small lift serves all 4 guest floors; stairs-only to rooftop garden
free digital news via PressReader (50+ papers); no physical papers
check-in 15:00–20:00 (no late arrivals); early bag-drop allowed from 12:00 free; late check-out by 11:00 costs 3,000 yen per hour if available
free luggage storage at front desk before check-in and after check-out until 18:00
no step-free entry (one small step at front door); lift fits a standard wheelchair but no adapted guest rooms; stairs to dining and bath area
no on-site parking; nearest public car park is Odawara City Parking (5 min walk) at 1,500 yen per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 200 yen per person per night for stays costing 10,000–20,000 yen; 500 yen above 20,000 yen; children exempt
Deposit & card hold: 100% prepayment required at booking; 5,000 yen incidental hold per person on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: 宝安寺 (268 m · ~3 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 安国寺 (295 m · ~4 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 誓願寺 (343 m · ~4 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 本源寺 (383 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
トザンイースト — 656 m · ~8 min walk
北条ポケットパーク — 566 m · ~7 min walk
小田原城歴史見聞館 — 635 m · ~8 min walk
小田原三の丸ホール — 517 m · ~6 min walk
こども遊園地 — 954 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 644 m · ~8 min walk
平安薬局 — 204 m · ~3 min walk
セブン-イレブン — 284 m · ~4 min walk
小田原駅 — 681 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Japanese Yen, JPY
Use ATMs at 7-Eleven or Japan Post Bank for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges as they give poor rates.
Cards are accepted at most hotels, larger shops, and restaurants, but smaller eateries and local shops often require cash. Contactless and mobile pay (Suica, Pasmo) are widely used for transport and convenience store purchases.
Tipping is not practiced and can cause confusion. Service charges are included. Do not tip in restaurants, taxis, or hotels.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of brewed coffee from a convenience store like 7-Eleven or Lawson costs around 110–150 JPY.
A set meal (teishoku) at a casual local diner, including rice, miso soup, and a main, costs about 700–1,000 JPY.
A bowl of ramen or a donburi (rice bowl) from a counter-service shop is around 800–1,200 JPY for a main.
Odawara’s castle area and tourist streets have small stalls selling grilled squid, fish cakes, and taiyaki; prices range 200–500 JPY per item.
Common budget supermarket chains include Don Quijote (hybrid discount), Maruetsu, and Gyomu Super (for bulk items).
For affordable everyday wear, visit nearby shopping malls or second-hand stores; Uniqlo and local discount shops have standard basics.
The cheapest way around is walking or renting a bicycle (around 500 JPY/day from the station). From Tokyo, take the JR Odakyu Romancecar or limited express train (about 2,000–3,500 JPY one-way).
Buy a rechargeable Suica card for trains and convenience stores; eat at station-area department store basements (depachika) for discounted bento boxes after 7pm; visit Odawara Castle on a weekday for thinner crowds and no surcharge.
Good to know — Odawara
Type A/B · 100V
safe
$1 ≈ ¥163.01 · JPY
Emergency Contacts
OdawaraFor general emergencies, dial 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance. The Japan Helpline (24/7 English support) is 0570-000-911. Odawara City Hall's emergency line (Japanese only): 0465-22-1111.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Odawara, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ryokan Plum
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 644 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · 平安薬局 — 204 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Odawara Station → Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa
💡 Use the taxi rank outside the east exit. Cheaper than a rideshare app; cash preferred for short trips.
Shinjuku Station, Tokyo → Odawara Station
💡 Reserve a seat with a view of Mount Fuji on the right side heading south. From Odawara Station, take a local bus (¥230, 15 mins) to the hotel.
Narita or Haneda Airport → Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa
💡 Book online a day ahead for a guaranteed seat. The bus drops you right at the hotel entrance—no lugging bags uphill.
Odawara Station → Hakone-Yumoto (then local bus to hotel)
💡 Scenic ride through mountains, but only useful if you're heading to Hakone first. From Hakone-Yumoto, catch the T bus (¥200, 10 mins) to the resort.
About Odawara
Wikipedia ↗
Odawara (小田原市, Odawara-shi) is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 September 2025, the city had an estimated population of 185,027 and a population density of 1,700 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 113.79 square kilometres (43.93 sq mi).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ryokan Plum?
Request rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (facing away from the street). These upper floors avoid ground-level noise and still offer quick stair access since there’s no lift. If available, a corner room on the south-east side often catches morning light without afternoon heat.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ryokan Plum?
Avoid any rooms on the ground floor or the 2nd floor directly above the entrance/lobby. Ground-floor rooms are vulnerable to street noise from Odawara’s main road, while the 2nd floor may pick up footfall and conversation from the reception area.
Is Ryokan Plum noisy?
Odawara’s main street can be busy from early morning (6–9am) and again in the evening (5–7pm). The hotel’s no-lift setup means guest noise from stairs can travel to nearby rooms, particularly on the 2nd floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Ryokan Plum?
Rooms at the rear face a residential area and possibly a small garden or courtyard, offering a calm, green outlook—not the street. Upper floors may have partial views of the Hakone mountains on clear days if positioned correctly.
What are insider tips for staying at Ryokan Plum?
1) Request a room on the 3rd floor well in advance—this hotel has no lift, so the added stairs discourage noise from passing guests. 2) Check in by 3pm to secure a rear-facing room; they’re quieter and often have better light in the afternoon.
What time is check-in at Ryokan Plum?
Check-in at Ryokan Plum is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ryokan Plum have Wi-Fi?
free wifi throughout, 50 Mbps down, login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ryokan Plum?
200 yen per person per night for stays costing 10,000–20,000 yen; 500 yen above 20,000 yen; children exempt
Where can I eat cheaply near Ryokan Plum?
A set meal (teishoku) at a casual local diner, including rice, miso soup, and a main, costs about 700–1,000 JPY.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ryokan Plum?
The cheapest way around is walking or renting a bicycle (around 500 JPY/day from the station). From Tokyo, take the JR Odakyu Romancecar or limited express train (about 2,000–3,500 JPY one-way).
When is the best time to visit Odawara?
April (cherry blossoms at the castle, mild days) and November (autumn leaves, cool and calm). Both have manageable crowds outside Golden Week.
Top Attractions in Odawara
💡 Visit during the Odawara Plum Blossom Festival (mid-Feb to mid-March) for free entertainment and food stalls. Weekday mornings are quiet.
💡 Pair your visit with a cheap bowl of fresh soba from the attached shop (around ¥500). Look for the sake tasting corner – a few local varieties are free to sample.
💡 Visit during a Sunday festival (check local board) to see free kagura dance performances. The shrine's omamori (charms) are handmade and cost about ¥500.
💡 Arrive just before 9am to see the morning opening ceremony with guards in period costume. The top floor gives clear views of Sagami Bay on a sunny day.
💡 First Sunday of each month is free entry to all exhibitions. The museum café sells cheap matcha and a ¥300 set of three local confections.