This week Matt and I participated in Japanese language class, which is a class all incoming soldiers and families can take to learn about Japanese culture and language. At the end of the week the two teachers (one who is a trained Samurai) took us to Odawara Castle in Odawara Japan. On the way to the castle we stopped at a rest stop where we were lucky enough to see Mt. Fuji on a clear day, for the first time!
The original castle was founded in the mid-15th century which then became the residence of the Hojo Family. Its fortress consisted of 9 acres. In 1703, the Genroku earthquake destroyed the Castle Keep and was eventually dismantled in 1870. The main keep was reconstructed in 1960 according to the models and drawings of the Edo-period.
After the museum tour inside of the castle and the climb to the top, our group went to eat at an authentic Japanese soba restaurant. Soba is a type of buckwheat noodle served like a noodle soup with vegetables and meat. It was very tasty. We then had some Japanese ice cream where Matt tried the green tea flavor, which tasted just like green tea! Then we took pictures with the cherry blossoms, pictures of the monkeys and walked around the fortress.
Odawara castle was beautiful and if you plan to visit in Japan, you may get the chance to see it for yourself!
Check out more blogs about our travels here.
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