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Tokyo Free Walking Tour

Free walking tours for foreign tourists and residents

Tour Report on 30 April 2016

Tour Report on 30 April 2016

 

Thank you for joining our tour on April 30th.

Now, Japanese are enjoying Golden Week holidays. Many Japanese have looked forward to this week, because we have a long holiday, and moreover the weather is usually nice during this week, so it is really good season for going out.

On the day of tour, it was also perfect weather. We welcomed 70 guests from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, US and so on. We divided into 7 groups.

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We strolled and had relaxing afternoon in the fresh green leaves, and some guests were sitting verdant lawn as they listened our explanation about the Edo history.

 

Edo castle used to be built at the east garden of imperial palace, but now only stone base remains. We cannot enjoy watching powerful and magnificent castle unfortunately.

Do you know the closest castle from Tokyo?

Whenever our guests ask me this question, I always answer “Odawara Castle is the closest castle from Tokyo”. It is located in Odawara City in Kanagawa Prefecture. It takes 1 hour and a half by train.

From the beginning of 15 to the end of 16 Century, Hojo clan controlled east side of Japan(KANTO Area) . Odawara Castle was the center of that area. After decreasing Hojo’s power, Tokugawa who unified Japan during the Edo period controlled the castle. Ohkubo who was the retainer of Tokugawa became the load of the castle. After the Edo period, it was taken apart, and the stone base was destroyed by the big earthquake in 1923. However, from in 1930’s, the castle was rebuilt step by step, and in 1960 watch tower was restored.

In 2016 May, watch tower has been reopened, because it had been under the construction from July 2015 due to the earthquake resistant. You can enter the inside of the watch tower and there are a lot of exhibited objects about Odawara Castle and the background of its history. You can learn a lot!

We are looking forward to seeing you in our tour every time, but if you have time druing staying in Tokyo, why don’t you visit there?

We have a regular tour every Saturday and weekday/Sunday tours irregularly. Please check our website, Facebook and TripAdvisor

(Posted by Chizuru)