Forest Bathing in Temple and Enjoy onsen with healing power

At Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple, the approach is part of the experience: a forest path runs beneath towering cedar and cypress trees, some more than 500 years old. This six-hour trip from Odawara pairs a gentle woodland walk with temple folklore, lunch at a nearby tea house, and a hot-spring soak.

I like the contrast between the quiet forest walk and the temple’s old stories, which gives the outing more substance than a simple nature stroll. I also like that it ends at an onsen, a welcome way to rest after walking.

The main consideration is the extra cost: lunch, public transport, and the onsen are not included in the $104.51 price. You will also need to be comfortable walking outdoors, with suitable shoes and warm clothes.

What to know before you go

• The forest path is a highlight: Walk among cedar and cypress trees said to be more than 500 years old.
• The temple has a local story to tell: Daiyuzan Saijoji is about 600 years old, and your guide shares folklore along the way.
• Lunch is a separate expense: Plan on about 2,000 yen per person for a Japanese meal, with a tea house or the onsen facility given as options.
• The hot spring adds both rest and cost: The onsen fee is about 2,000 yen per person and is not included.
• Small groups keep the pace personal: The maximum group size is six, and the guide is nationally certified and trained in wilderness first aid.

From Odawara Station to a mountain temple

Meet at Beck’s Coffee on the third floor of Odawara Station at 9am. The tour starts and ends at the station, so you do not need to arrange a separate return journey from the temple area. If you are carrying luggage, Odawara Station has storage you can use before setting off.

From there, you travel by train and bus to Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple, also known as Doryoson. The transport fare is extra, and no exact amount is provided, so leave room in your budget for it. The public-transport connection is part of the day rather than a private transfer. That makes the trip a useful choice if you want a guided outing without hiring a car, though you should expect to change your setting from station to train and bus before reaching the forest.

The six-hour estimate includes the trip out, the walk, temple visit, lunch, and onsen before returning to Odawara. The exact time spent at each stop is not specified. If you prefer a tightly timed schedule, ask the operator for current details before booking.

Walking beneath the old cedars

The walk takes place on a path leading up toward the temple, through a forest of mature cedar and cypress. The age of the trees gives this section a clear sense of place: you are walking through a woodland that has been part of the temple setting for centuries, not just taking a short stroll beside a shrine.

Forest bathing here is best understood as a slower, more attentive walk. You can take in the trees and the quieter mountain setting while your guide leads the way. The tour includes walking, so comfortable shoes matter. Warm clothes are also recommended, even if the day begins pleasantly, because you will be outdoors in the forest.

Expect conditions to vary with the season. One person who took the tour in summer found the walk hot and humid, and the guide noted that a rinse and soak in the onsen felt refreshing afterward. That is useful planning advice: summer heat can change the feel of the walk, so dress for the forecast and bring what you need to stay comfortable. The provided details do not specify the route length, elevation gain, or trail surface, so ask the operator if those points affect your plans.

The outing is described as suitable for most people, but that does not mean it is a no-walking activity. If you have concerns about hills or walking on forest paths, check with the provider before booking. The guide has wilderness first-aid certification, a practical qualification for a day outside, but it is not a substitute for choosing a walk that suits your ability.

Hearing the stories at Daiyuzan Saijoji

Daiyuzan Saijoji is an approximately 600-year-old temple, and the guide shares local folklore as you visit. That storytelling can make the stop more engaging than simply looking at buildings and moving on. It gives you context for the place and a chance to hear details you might otherwise pass without noticing.

The temple buildings and shrines are made with cedar and cypress, connecting the architecture to the forest around them. The experience is not presented as a long, formal history lesson. Instead, the temple visit follows the walk, with stories woven into the day. If folklore and local traditions interest you, that informal approach may be a good fit.

The temple visit is part of the guided experience, and admission is listed as free. That keeps one part of the day simple, but remember that the train and bus fares, lunch, and onsen are still separate expenses. You can enjoy the temple and forest without paying an admission fee, then decide how much to spend at lunch and the hot spring.

Lunch at a forest tea house

Lunch is planned near the temple, at a chaya, or Japanese tea house, in the forest area. The meal is not included, and the expected cost is around 2,000 yen per person. The tea house is also known locally for its Japanese confectionery, making it a pleasant place to pause rather than just refuel between activities.

The tour details also say lunch may take place at the onsen facility instead. Since the exact arrangement can vary, ask the guide or provider where your group is likely to eat. Either way, treat lunch as a separate line in your budget, and bring enough money for your own meal and any personal purchases.

This is a useful middle point in the outing. You have had time outside and at the temple, and the meal offers a chance to sit down before the final soak. The pace is likely to feel more restorative than rushed, but the exact duration of the lunch stop is not specified. If you have dietary needs, contact the provider in advance rather than assuming the tea house can accommodate them.

Ending the walk with an onsen soak

After lunch, the group visits an onsen near the temple. The facility is associated with toji, a Japanese hot-spring bathing tradition described here as focused on healing the body and soul. You should think of the onsen as a relaxing finish to a day on foot, not as a medical treatment or a guaranteed cure.

The fee is about 2,000 yen per person and is not included. That is a meaningful extra on top of the tour price, transport, and lunch, so work out the full cost before booking. The onsen is one of the tour’s most distinctive parts: many temple walks end with the return trip, while this one builds in time for a hot-spring visit.

The available information does not spell out bathing rules, what to bring, or whether towels are provided. If you have questions about onsen etiquette or facility arrangements, ask the provider beforehand. The stated plan is to enjoy the hot spring after lunch, then return to Odawara Station.

Price, group size, and the real value

The base price is $104.51 per person. It covers a nationally certified professional guide with wilderness first-aid training, but not your lunch, transport, onsen fee, souvenirs, or alcohol. With lunch and the onsen each estimated at around 2,000 yen, plus the train and bus fares, the total will be higher than the headline price.

In return, you get a guided six-hour outing that combines transport, a forest walk, a temple visit with folklore, a meal stop, and an onsen. The guide’s role matters here. A certified guide can lead the group through the day and share information about the mountain, forest, and temple; the first-aid qualification is also reassuring on a walk away from the station.

The group maximum is six. A small group can make it easier to ask questions and keep a comfortable pace. The tour has also been run as a private-feeling outing when only one person booked, and Akihiro-san has been named as a guide who tailored the walk to a participant’s interests. That does not guarantee the same guide or a private tour on your date, so confirm if either point matters to you.

The value depends on what you want from a half-day. If you only want transport to the temple, this is more than you need. If you want someone to lead the walk, explain the setting, and connect the forest, temple, meal, and hot spring into one day, the guide fee may be worthwhile. Budget carefully for the add-ons, and remember that transport costs are not stated.

Who will enjoy this Odawara outing

This tour suits you if you like walking at a moderate, unhurried pace, are curious about temple traditions, and want a woodland experience without arranging every connection yourself. The combination is especially appealing if a hot spring sounds like a better finish than heading straight back to the station.

It may be less suitable if you want a strenuous hike, need a precise trail distance in advance, or prefer all costs to be bundled into one price. The route details do not specify distance or elevation, and the guide leads a walk rather than a described athletic trek. You should also be comfortable paying separately for transport, lunch, and bathing.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather forces the tour to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund. Otherwise, the stated cancellation terms are strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed. Check your plans before paying.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a small-group day built around old trees, a 600-year-old temple, local folklore, and a hot spring, and you are happy to pay extra for lunch and transport. It is a thoughtful way to see a quieter side of the Odawara area with a guide rather than making the temple visit a brief stop on your own.

Skip it if you want a fully inclusive price, need detailed trail specifications before committing, or are looking for a challenging hike. For the best fit, confirm the expected walking conditions, lunch location, and onsen arrangements before booking, then arrive ready for a six-hour day outdoors.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Odawara Station at 9am and returns to the station at the end. The meeting point is Beck’s Coffee on the station’s third floor.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about six hours.

What is included in the price?

The included service is a nationally certified professional guide with wilderness first-aid training. Lunch, transport, onsen fees, personal expenses, souvenirs, and alcohol are not included.

How much should I budget for lunch and the onsen?

Lunch is about 2,000 yen per person, and the onsen fee is also about 2,000 yen per person. Transport costs are extra, but no amount is specified.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is six travelers.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable walking shoes and warm clothes for the forest walk. Luggage storage is available at Odawara Station.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.