Forest Bathing in Temple and Enjoy onsen with healing power

The best part of this outing is the change of pace. You leave Odawara by train and bus, then walk uphill through a forest of huge cedar and cypress trees toward Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple, a religious site with roughly 600 years of history. The trees do much of the talking here, though guide Akihiro adds local folklore and mountain knowledge along the way.

I like the combination of quiet forest walking and a traditional temple visit, followed by a hot spring soak. I also like that the tour stays small, with a maximum of six people, and includes a national certified guide with wilderness first aid training. The main drawback is cost clarity: the $104.51 tour price does not include transport, lunch, or the onsen, each of which adds to your final bill.

Key points to know before booking

• A forest path lined with ancient trees: Walk beneath cedar and cypress trees reported to be more than 500 years old.
• A real local guide: Akihiro can shape the walk around your interests and explain temple folklore and the mountain setting.
• A soothing finish: The day ends at a nearby onsen known for hot spring bathing intended to heal body and spirit.
• Lunch is flexible: Eat at a Japanese tea house in the temple forest or at the onsen facility, for about 2,000 yen.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is six, which makes conversation and a flexible pace more likely.
• Plan for extra fees: Transportation, lunch, and the onsen are not part of the advertised tour price.

From Odawara Station to the Daiyuzan cedar forest

You meet at 9 a.m. at Beck’s Coffee on the third floor of Odawara Station. That is a practical starting point, especially if you are arriving by train and need a clear indoor landmark. Odawara Station also has luggage storage, so you can leave larger bags behind instead of carrying them on the forest walk.

From the station, the route uses both a train and a bus. That matters because this is not a simple station-to-temple stroll. You are heading out from the city into a mountain setting, and public transport forms part of the local experience. The transportation cost is extra, and the exact amount is not provided, so bring enough yen or confirm the current fare before setting out.

The outing lasts about six hours and returns to Odawara Station. That makes it a useful half-day plan around a longer Odawara visit. You can pair it with the station area, Odawara Castle, or a later train, but leave room for the return trip and the possibility of a relaxed onsen stop.

Walking beneath trees more than 500 years old

The forest walk is the heart of the day. The path rises toward the temple through tall cedar and cypress trees, some more than 500 years old. This is not a strenuous wilderness expedition, but it is still a mountain walk with an uphill section, so comfortable shoes are essential.

I would dress for shade and changing temperatures. The tour specifically advises warm clothes for walking in the forest, and that is useful advice even if the day begins pleasantly at Odawara Station. The setting can feel cooler among the trees. In summer, the forest can also be hot and humid, as one outing proved, so carry what you need for a warm walk and pace yourself.

The appeal here is not a checklist of sights. It is the steady transition from transport noise to forest quiet. The giant trunks, shaded path, and mountain air give the walk a reflective quality. The phrase forest bathing is used for a reason, though this is not a spa treatment. You are spending time among old trees, walking at a human pace, and paying attention to the setting rather than rushing from one attraction to the next.

The walking distance and grade are not specified, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator for current route details before booking. Most people can take part, and the tour runs near public transportation, but good walking shoes remain a firm requirement.

Hearing the stories of Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple

Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple, also called Doryoson, brings a cultural focus to the forest outing. The temple is described as having about 600 years of history, and the approach through the old trees helps you understand the setting before you reach the buildings.

Guide Akihiro explains local folklore connected with the temple and mountain. That personal storytelling is important here. Without context, you might simply see a handsome collection of wooden structures and forest paths. With the stories, the visit gains a clearer sense of place and tradition.

The temple buildings use cedar and cypress wood, matching the forest around them. You can expect a calm visit rather than a tightly scheduled sightseeing stop. The experience gives you time to look at the buildings, walk through the grounds, and connect the religious site with the trees that surround it.

Akihiro has also tailored the outing to an individual’s interests, which is one benefit of the six-person limit. If you care about folklore, trees, local culture, or the practical details of the route, tell him at the start. A small group gives the guide more room to adjust explanations than a large coach tour would.

Lunch at a Japanese tea house in the forest

Lunch comes near the temple, with two possible settings. You might eat at a Japanese tea house within the temple grounds, or at the onsen facility. The tea house serves Japanese lunch and is known locally for its Japanese confectionery.

This is a pleasant part of the plan because the meal fits the setting. After the uphill walk and temple visit, a quiet lunch in the forest feels more appropriate than a quick stop at a chain restaurant. The meal costs about 2,000 yen per person and is not included in the tour price.

The details of the menu are not fixed in the information provided, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. If the sweets appeal to you, ask Akihiro what the tea house is serving that day. The option to eat at the onsen facility may be useful if you prefer to keep the meal and bathing stop together.

Bring a little flexibility. This is a day built around a mountain temple, public transport, and a local bath, not a timed restaurant tour. Lunch is one of the reasons the six-hour schedule works well, since you can pause before the final part of the outing.

Ending with a healing hot spring soak

After lunch, you visit an onsen near the temple. The facility is associated with 湯冶温泉, a style of hot spring stay and bathing traditionally linked with rest and recovery. The tour presents the water as having a healing effect on body and spirit.

You should treat that wording as part of the cultural experience, not as medical advice. The practical benefit is simpler: a hot bath after a forest walk can be a relaxing way to finish the day. One summer outing was especially refreshing after a hot and humid walk, when rinsing off and soaking in the onsen brought welcome relief.

The onsen fee is about 2,000 yen per person and is paid separately. Confirm the current charge and bathing arrangements before departure, since prices and procedures can change. The tour information does not specify whether towels, bathing clothes, or other amenities are included, so ask the operator if you need those details.

If you have never used a Japanese onsen, ask for guidance on local bathing etiquette. The tour is designed for an onsen visit, but the supplied information does not provide the facility’s full rules. Also remember that the bathing stop is not a quick photo stop. Allow enough time to wash, soak, and relax before returning to Odawara Station.

What the $104.51 price really covers

At $104.51 per person, this is not a bargain-priced temple transfer. The price pays for the guide and the structure of the day, but you must add transport, lunch at about 2,000 yen, and the onsen at about 2,000 yen. Personal purchases, souvenirs, and alcohol are also separate.

That makes the value depend on how much help you want. If you are comfortable arranging a train, bus, temple visit, lunch, and onsen by yourself, you may spend less independently. You would also need to research the route, manage timing, and find someone to explain the folklore and forest setting.

I see the price as easier to justify if you want a guided cultural outing from Odawara rather than a do-it-yourself day. The small group, wilderness first aid qualification, and ability to tailor the walk add practical value. The guide is not just leading you to a temple. He is connecting the forest, old trees, folklore, lunch, and bath into one experience.

Group discounts are available, though the discount amount is not stated. Ask about the current group rate if you are booking with several people. Since the group limit is six, this is better suited to a small family group, a few friends, or a solo participant who prefers personal attention.

Who will enjoy this six-hour outing

I would choose this tour if you want a break from city sightseeing and like the idea of combining nature, local religious culture, and an onsen. It works especially well for people who enjoy walking but do not want to plan a remote mountain day alone.

The experience also suits visitors who value stories. The temple’s buildings and old trees are attractive on their own, but Akihiro’s folklore helps explain why the place matters. If you are interested in Japanese forests, temple traditions, or regional customs, the guided format has more to offer than a simple visit.

It may not suit you if you want a completely free schedule, dislike uphill walking, or expect the quoted price to cover every expense. The route uses public transport, the walk requires proper shoes, and the total cost is higher once you add lunch and bathing.

Hot weather is another consideration. Summer can be hot and humid, even on a forest route. The onsen helps at the end, but it does not remove the need for sensible clothing, water, and a steady pace. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a date change or full refund.

The activity allows service animals, and most people can participate. Still, ask for current route information if you have specific walking or access needs, since the supplied details do not describe the path surface, stairs, or exact distance.

Practical details that make the day easier

Meet at Beck’s Coffee on the third floor of Odawara Station at 9 a.m. The tour ends back at the same station, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup after the onsen.

Use the station’s luggage storage if you are carrying a suitcase. A smaller day bag is better for the train, bus, forest walk, lunch, and bath.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring warm clothing for the forest. Plan on extra money for transport, lunch, and the onsen. Around 6,000 yen in additional costs covers the stated lunch and bath estimates plus transportation, though the transport fare itself is not specified.

The activity is confirmed at booking, uses a mobile ticket, and is limited to six people. Its cancellation policy is strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. Poor weather is the exception, with a different date or full refund offered if the operator cancels.

Should you book the forest and onsen day?

Book this outing if you want a guided, small-group day that joins an old temple, a cedar and cypress forest, Japanese folklore, a local lunch, and a hot spring bath. The strongest reasons are the peaceful approach to Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple, Akihiro’s personal guidance, and the satisfying onsen finish.

Skip it if you want the lowest possible cost, a flat route, or an all-inclusive price. You will pay extra after booking, and the walk is better suited to people ready for a forest path and uphill section.

For the right person, this is a thoughtful way to see a quieter side of the Odawara area. It gives you exercise, culture, and a warm bath at the end, with enough time to enjoy each part rather than race through it.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Beck’s Coffee on the third floor of Odawara Station at 9 a.m. The listed station address is 1-chōme-1-1 Shiroyama, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0045, Japan.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at Odawara Station, at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about six hours.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a national certified professional guide with wilderness first aid certification. The listed price does not include personal expenses, lunch, transportation, or the onsen fee.

How much do lunch and the onsen cost?

Lunch costs around 2,000 yen per person. The onsen costs around 2,000 yen per person. Transportation is also extra, but no specific fare is provided.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is six people. Group discounts are available, although the discount amount is not specified.