Few things beat quiet cedar air.

This Odawara day feels like a reset button: you head out to Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple (Doryoson), walk a forest path lined with centuries-old cedar and cypress, and end with a soak at 湯冶温泉 (Yūji Onsen). A certified guide brings the temple area to life with local stories as you go, so the day isn’t just steps and photos.

I especially like the way this blends gentle walking with true “forest bathing” pacing—slow enough to notice the trees, shade, and mountain rhythm. I also like that you’re not stuck planning lunch or the onsen stop on your own, even though you’ll pay separate fees for both. One drawback to plan around: the tour price doesn’t include lunch, transport to the mountain area, or the onsen entry fee, so your day’s total will be a bit higher.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Small group (max 6 people): more personal pace and easier questions for your guide
• Forest bath style hike: cedar and cypress trees along the temple approach path
• Temple stop with local storytelling: you’ll learn what matters about the grounds as you walk
• Chaya lunch near the temple: a Japanese meal with famous local sweets mentioned for the area
• 湯冶温泉 after the walk: a hot-spring soak timed for your body to cool down and recover
• Onsen and lunch not included: budget extra for the fees you’ll pay on the day

From Beck’s Coffee to the mountain: how the day starts

You meet at Beck’s Coffee on the 3rd floor of Odawara Station at 9:00 am. That’s helpful because Odawara is a major hub, so you can arrive easily, store luggage, and then meet up without stress.

There’s luggage storage at Odawara Station, which is a smart move if you’re traveling light but bringing bags. I also recommend you pack a small day bag for water and anything you’ll want during the forest walk, since your hands might be full if you’re also carrying a phone, snack, or light layer.

From there, you’ll ride train and bus up to the temple area. Since the transport fee is not included, it helps to think of this as a guided program plus the local transit cost you’ll settle for with your group.

Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple (Doryoson): 600 years of temple atmosphere

Your main temple stop is Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple (Doryoson), a site with about 600 years of history tied to the mountain setting. Even before you reach the core buildings, the temple approach sets the tone—this day is built to feel slow, quiet, and slightly ceremonial.

You’ll do a stroll through the forested approach and then spend time at the temple itself, where the guide shares the local folklores and explanations that bring the grounds into focus. That’s one of the biggest differences between a standard hike and this experience: you’re learning what to look for, not just where to walk.

The temple area is made especially memorable by the cedar and cypress presence. The big trees (some described as over 500 years old) create a canopy effect that changes the feel of the path—shade, cooler air, and that mossy, mountain feeling that you don’t get in open streets.

A practical note: temple walking can mean uneven ground and stairs. Bring comfortable walking shoes, and keep your pace steady. If you’re worried about steps, the small group size and guide presence can help you move at a comfortable rhythm.

The forest bathing path: where the healing theme becomes practical

Forest bathing sounds like a concept. On this tour, it’s also a method: you take the climb at a pace designed for paying attention. Instead of rushing from viewpoint to viewpoint, you walk through the path framed by old-growth cedar and cypress trees.

This matters because the forest here isn’t just scenery. It’s the main activity. You’ll get time to notice the route, the texture of shade, and the shift in temperature under the taller trees. In hot weather (and the area can get that way), this pacing feels like the difference between surviving a walk and actually enjoying it.

I also like that you’re doing this as a guided experience rather than a solo wandering mission. The guide can steer your attention to what’s relevant—tree types, the mood of the mountain approach, and the temple context that connects the forest with the shrine spaces.

Consider one thing: you’ll be outdoors. The tour notes recommend warm clothes for walking in the forest, which might sound odd until you remember mountain air can shift and evenings or breezes can feel cooler. Dress in layers so you can handle both warmth and shade without overheating.

Lunch at a temple chaya: more than a break

After your morning walk, you’ll eat lunch at a nearby temple chaya (tea house) in the forest area. Lunch is described as a Japanese meal, and the area’s Japanese confectionary is mentioned as being famous locally.

This is a key part of why the day works. You’re not just fueling up; you’re eating in the same mountain zone that frames the rest of the experience. That turns lunch into an extension of the atmosphere rather than an abrupt stop for convenience food.

One important planning detail: lunch is not included in the tour price. You should budget around 2,000 yen for your group. The tour also says lunch could be at a Japanese tea house within the temple or at the onsen facility, so don’t be surprised if the exact dining spot changes slightly.

If you have dietary needs, the provided info doesn’t specify choices. So if you’re sensitive to certain ingredients, it’s smart to message the provider ahead of time during booking so you’re not stuck guessing on the day.

湯冶温泉: the soak that finishes the reset

After lunch, you head to 湯冶温泉 (Yūji Onsen) near the temple. The onsen is described as famous for healing your body and soul, and the timing is practical: you’ll have walked, then eaten, and then you’ll soak when your body wants recovery.

Onsen entry is not included. You’ll pay around 2,000 yen for the onsen fee for your group, so plan for that cost in addition to lunch. If you’re counting your money, this is exactly where the day’s budget adds up, and it’s worth planning so you don’t feel surprised halfway through.

Also note that you’ll finish the tour back at Odawara Station after the onsen. That structure is nice. You don’t have to figure out trains and transfers with tired legs right after soaking—you get guided back into the transit flow.

What should you bring? The tour doesn’t specify towels or bathing essentials. Because those details can vary by facility, check what’s provided when you book (or ask the guide at the start). It’s usually easiest to pack a small bag with what you know you’ll need rather than relying on a last-minute scramble.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

The tour price is listed as $104.51 per person, and you’ll typically book about 47 days in advance. For a guided day out of Odawara, that price starts reasonable because you’re getting a professional guide and a structured plan.

What’s included:

• A national certified pro guide with a wilderness first aid certificate
• Temple admission is described as free
• Group discounts and a mobile ticket are mentioned
• The tour runs about 6 hours total

What’s not included (and matters for total cost):

• Lunch (around 2,000 yen)
• Transportation fees for your group (you pay separately for the train and bus portion)
• Onsen fee (around 2,000 yen)

Here’s how I’d evaluate the value. You’re paying not just for walking, but for guidance, pacing, and interpretation—the stories tied to Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple, plus the forest-bathing approach that encourages you to slow down rather than power-walk for stamps.

If you were to do it independently, you could likely handle transit and ticketing. The hard part is building the right pace and figuring out the lunch and onsen timing so they feel connected. This tour packages that, and the small group size (max 6) helps keep it from feeling rushed.

Who this 6-hour cedar forest day is best for

This experience is described as suitable for most people, with service animals allowed and near public transportation. The group is capped at 6, which is ideal if you like small-group days where you can ask questions and keep a comfortable pace.

You’ll probably enjoy it most if:

• You want a nature-focused day without a long, intense trek
• You like guided cultural context, not just sightseeing
• You’re curious about forest bathing and want it structured, not improvised
• You want a reliable ending with a hot-spring soak, then back to Odawara

If you’re the kind of traveler who hates waiting, this might feel slower than a checklist tour. The pacing is part of the point here. But if you like quiet, shade, and learning small details along the way, it’s a good match.

Weather and clothing: the small things that make or break it

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund, so it’s worth watching the forecast once you book.

For clothing, the guidance is clear: wear comfortable walking shoes and bring warm clothes for forest walking. Even when the base city feels warm, the mountain can feel different under the tree canopy. Layers help you handle humidity, shade, and shifts in temperature.

If you’re walking in summer heat, plan for sweat. The forest canopy can cool you down, but you’ll still be moving. Bring water if you’re able (the info doesn’t specify provided drinks), and keep your pace easy on steeper parts.

Should you book this forest bathing + onsen tour?

If you want a day that’s equal parts calm nature and guided temple atmosphere, I’d say this is a strong choice. The combination of forest bathing in old cedar and cypress, a temple visit with folklores, and a finishing soak at 湯冶温泉 creates a full loop: walk, learn, eat, recover.

It’s especially worth booking if you value structure. You get a certified guide with wilderness first aid, a small group size, and a plan that ends right back at Odawara Station. That saves you time and mental energy.

Book it with clear eyes on the extra costs: lunch and onsen fees add up, and transport to the mountain area is separate. If that doesn’t bother you, you’ll likely feel like you got your money’s worth in the pacing and guidance, not just the photo stops.

If you want the outdoors side and the hot-spring finish without turning your day into logistics math, this is a good match.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and where do we meet?

The tour meets at Beck’s Coffee on the 3rd floor of Odawara Station at 9:00 am.

How long is the experience?

It lasts about 6 hours.

What’s included in the tour price?

A national certified pro guide with wilderness first aid is included, and the temple admission is listed as free.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included and is listed as around 2,000 yen. You can eat at a Japanese tea house within the temple or at the onsen facility.

How much is the onsen fee?

The onsen fee is not included and is listed as around 2,000 yen.

Will there be transportation to the temple area?

Yes, you’ll go to the temple area by train and bus, but the transportation fee for your group is not included.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 6 travelers.

What should I bring for the walk?

Bring comfortable walking shoes and warm clothes for walking in the forest.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is this tour refundable if I cancel?

No. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.