Odawara/Manazuru

Odawara/Manazuru

Located in the southwestern part of Kanagawa Prefecture, Odawara facing the Sagami Bay developed as a castle town of the Odawara Castle during the age of provincial wars (15th-16th centuries). In the Edo era (17th-19th centuries), it prospered as Tokaido's post station on the east side of Hakone Pass. Since there is also a fishing port, fish processing such as making Kamaboko (fish cakes) is an active industry of the area which is also known for lanterns called Odawara Chochin.
Manazuru consists of the Manazuru Peninsula on the southwestern side of Kanagawa Prefecture and the town that spreads around it. A mild climate can be enjoyed all year round, allowing the area to serve as a popular marine resort offering such fun activities as fishing and swimming in the ocean. The nearby sea is known as a treasure house of seafood where 200 different types of fish and shellfish such as Japanese horse mackerels, bonitos, mackerel, Japanese spiny lobsters, and abalones are caught.