"Kanagawa West / Japanese Traditional Culture" Special Feature on Festivals (Odawara Edition)

About the "Hokugen Godai Matsuri"

ーーWhat kind of festival is the 53rd Kitagara Godai Matsuri?

This is Odawara City's largest sightseeing event held around Odawara Castle on May 3rd every year. The warrior corps parade begins in front of Umadashimon Dobashi, and the Hojo corps (Soun the 1st, Ujitsuna the 2nd, Ujiyasu the 3rd, Ujimasa the 4th, and Ujinao the 5th) appear on horseback. In addition, there are performances by the gun corps and the brass band, making it a lively festival with a total of 1,700 people participating.

ーーWhat are the features of this year?

Actor Masanobu Takashima will appear as Ujimasa Hojo. Mr. Takashima appeared in last year's NHK historical drama "Sanada Maru" as Ujimasa, so it should attract attention. In addition, Mr. Masafumi Goda, an actor from Odawara Furusato Ambassador, will also appear in the role of the first Soun.

ーーIn addition, please tell us how to enjoy the festival, Mr. Suwama.

During this period, annual festivals are held at shrines such as Matsubara, Sanno, Oinari, and Igami Shrine, and on the 4th and 5th you can see the "Mikoshi Togyo". There are dozens of floats and mikoshi, but especially the Odawara style of jumping (running) carrying the mikoshi along with the kiyari is something you won't see anywhere else, so be sure to pay attention to it. In addition, the "Lantern Summer Festival" is held on July 29th and 30th, where you can see different styles of portable shrines, such as Edomae and Dokkoi style, in one place, so I think it would be interesting to compare them.

About "Odawara Castle after renewal"

Sagami Bay seen from Odawara Castle

ーーIt seems that the number of visitors to Odawara Castle will exceed 1 million soon after the renovation. What exactly has changed

First of all, it is seismic resistance that allows us to confidently say that it will be safe even if a large earthquake occurs at any time. Furthermore, with the addition of air-conditioning equipment, which has never existed before, visitors can now enjoy comfortable, safe, and secure viewing. In addition, the contents of the exhibition have changed significantly. Graphical explanations have increased significantly, such as a video theater that has never existed before, so you can learn about the history of Odawara Castle and Mr. Hojo in an easy-to-understand manner.

Inside Odawara Castle with more graphic explanations (monitor)

So the genre of the exhibition is different on each floor?

The 1st floor is the Edo period, the 2nd floor is the Sengoku period, the 3rd and 4th floors are special exhibitions, and the 5th floor is a reproduction of the Odawara Castle tower from the Edo period. Elephant) is reproduced. From the Tenshukaku Observation Deck on the top floor, you can see the sea, the mountains, and the cityscape. A castle with such a nice view is probably rare in Japan.

ーーIf you were to pick a place that you would especially like to spend time seeing, where would it be?

The second floor is where you can learn about the history of Odawara Castle and Odawara Hojo during the Sengoku period. The Battle of Odawara, in which Hojo Ujimasa and his son Ujinao fought against Toyotomi Hideyoshi, is a historical event that marked a major turning point in Japan's history from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. Odawara Castle was the largest castle in the Sengoku period, and Hideyoshi's Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle was the first all-stone walled castle in the Kanto region. In the theater, actors Shunsuke Kariya and Masashi Goda play Ujimasa IV and Ujinao Godai, and explain the battle of Odawara with Hideyoshi Toyotomi in an easy-to-understand manner. Also, on the 5th floor, the enshrining space of the statue of Marishiten, which is said to have been enshrined in the castle tower during the Edo period, has been reproduced using wood from Odawara and craftsmen from Odawara. Here again, I would like you to watch the video that introduces the skills of the craftsmen.

Enshrining space of the statue of Marishiten

Enjoy Odawara Castle “more”

ーーWhat is the current special exhibition “150 Years of Odawara Castle Ruins: Modern Odawara Castle 1868-2017”?

From the dismantling of the castle tower in 1870 to the reconstruction of the castle tower in 1960, Odawara Castle was a castle without a castle tower. The 150-year history of the Odawara Castle Ruins from the Meiji period to the present is introduced using photographs, postcards, and tourist pamphlets from the time, while exhibiting about 100 items.

ーーOther than that, if you come to Odawara Castle, please tell us your recommended spots to stop by.

Imitating "my castle town"

The balustrade of Odawara Castle Tokiwagi Bridge was used for the record jacket of singer Rumiko Koyanagi's debut single "Watashi no Jokamachi". How about taking the same pose here and having fun? It is a recommended photo spot.
In addition, Kinjiro Cafe, which is located within the precincts of Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine, which is just a short walk from Odawara Castle, and Seikantei, which is located on the outer wall of the Sannomaru, each have a nice space to take a walk or have a cup of tea. Perfect for I would love for you to go.

From the Magcal editorial department
After the renovation, the fresh green in the castle ruins park was beautifully reflected on the outer wall of Odawara Castle, which became whiter. On several occasions, I have seen foreign tourists staring at the exhibits mixed with Japanese people, and I felt the high level of interest in history and culture. In the park, there is also a "children's amusement park" with playground equipment such as a bean train and a bean car, and small children seem to be happy.
How about taking a stroll around Odawara Castle and enjoying the festival during Golden Week?