RENT & RIDE JAPANOdawara & Ashigara Plain – Minami-Ashigara / Daiyuzan
Odawara Castle & Daiyuzan Saijoji Culture Ride
A half-day cultural ride from Odawara's castle town across the Ashigara plain to Daiyuzan Saijoji, guarded by 500-year-old cedars, and its temple-gate town.
- DISTANCE
- 190 km
- DURATION
- 6 h
- LEVEL
- Beginner
Starting from TASHILOG GARAGE in Hachioji, take the Ken-O and Odawara-Atsugi expressways down toward the sea at Odawara. After gazing up at Odawara Castle, once the stronghold of the Hojo warlords, cross the gentle Ashigara plain and head for Daiyuzan Saijoji, a temple famed for its towering cedars and long-nosed goblin (tengu) legend.
ハイライト / Highlights
- Odawara Castle — The Hojo clan's fortress, once called impregnable, with sweeping views of Sagami Bay from the top floor.
- Ashigara countryside — Easy cruising across a calm plain of rice fields and waterways.
- Daiyuzan Saijoji — A Soto Zen temple where 500-year-old cedars, giant iron geta clogs, and the tengu legend live on.
- Soba at the temple gate — Finish with hand-cut soba at a beloved shop by Daiyuzan Station.
走行のヒント / Riding Notes
Autumn before the peak foliage is quiet and the cool breeze through the cedars is a delight. Mountain roads can be damp, so take the downhill curves with care.
- 1START
Tashilog Garage
Start point. Head from Hachioji to Odawara via the Ken-O and Odawara-Atsugi expressways.
TIPSFuel up and check tire pressure before departure.
- 2SPOT~60 min
Odawara Castle
A famous castle known as the stronghold of the Hojo warlords of the Sengoku era.
HISTORYHeld by five generations of the Hojo clan and long called impregnable, the castle is said to have repelled even the famed generals Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen. The current keep was reconstructed in 1960 and now houses historical exhibits inside.
TIPSThe keep is open 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). The top floor offers views over Sagami Bay, reaching as far as the Boso Peninsula on clear days.
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Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain - 3FOOD~50 min
Daiyuzan Hatsuhana Soba
A long-loved hand-cut soba restaurant right in front of Daiyuzan Station.
TIPSDescended from the famous Hakone "Hatsuhana" lineage, the specialty is thin soba made with yam and egg instead of water; the shrimp-and-vegetable tempura zaru is popular. Lunch is roughly 11:00–14:30 (L.O. 14:15), reportedly closed Tuesdays—please confirm the day before visiting.
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Image - 4SPOT~70 min
Daiyuzan Saijoji (Doryoson)
A Soto Zen temple famed for its cedar avenue and tengu legend.
HISTORYFounded in 1394, this Soto Zen temple ranks in prestige just after Eiheiji in Fukui and Sojiji in Tsurumi. The monk Doryo, who helped build it, is said to have turned into a tengu and vanished into the mountain upon its completion—hence the name Doryoson. Many iron geta clogs are enshrined here, and the roughly 3 km approach from the Nio gate is lined with prefecturally designated cedars over 500 years old.
TIPSFree parking (250 spaces). There are stone steps up to the main hall, so wear comfortable shoes. Consider a break with sweet amazake at a teahouse along the approach.
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Photo: Σ64 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 - 5GOAL
Tashilog Garage
Return. Head back to Hachioji from Oi-Matsuda IC via the Tomei and Ken-O expressways.