Just over an hour from Tokyo by train, Odawara is best known for its castle — but the forested hills behind the city hide something most visitors never see: a beginner-friendly mountain biking course and one of Kanagawa’s biggest free adventure playgrounds, sitting right next to each other.
We spent a full day at Forest Bike and the adjacent Odawara Wanpaku Land (小田原こどもの森公園わんぱくらんど). Here’s exactly what it costs, who it’s for, and how to get there without a car.
🚴 Forest Bike: Mountain Biking Even Beginners Can Do
If you’re wondering whether a 6- or 7-year-old can handle an off-road trail, the answer is yes — Forest Bike’s programs are built specifically around first-timers, kids included.
What actually happens: every rider (adult or child) must complete the First Safety Lesson before doing any free riding. It runs about 90 minutes — covering bike checks, braking, and basic trail technique — with the rest of your time slot free to ride. Only after this are you issued a card that lets you ride the trails on future visits without repeating the lesson.
💰 What it costs (as of our visit)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| First Safety Lesson (adult or child) | ¥4,000 / person |
| Bike rental (if you don’t bring your own) | ~¥2,000 |
| First-timer family discount | ¥1,000 off per person* |
*Conditions: at least one adult plus one child, both first-timers taking the lesson + rental package; up to 2 discounted kids per adult; kids must be junior-high age or younger. Bring cash — Forest Bike is cash-only.
Age/size notes: there’s no strict published minimum age, but the lesson is physical and instruction is in Japanese — this suits kids roughly 6 and up who can already ride a pedal bike confidently. We haven’t confirmed English-language support directly; if that matters for your family, email or call ahead before booking.
[PHOTO: IMG_9342 — celebrating at the ridge viewpoint] [PHOTO: IMG_9347 — resting on the log bench, looking out over the hills]
The payoff for the climb is a wide, open view over the forested hills toward the coast — genuinely worth the legwork, even if you’re pedaling a rental bike that’s seen better days.
🧗 Wanpaku Land: The Real MVP of the Day (and It’s Free)
Here’s what we didn’t expect going in: the neighboring park ended up being the bigger hit with our kids than the biking itself.
Odawara Wanpaku Land is free to enter. You only pay for parking (¥1,010/day for non-residents). Inside, there’s a genuinely huge amount to do — giant climbing nets, a 67-meter suspension bridge, wooden fort structures, a zip-line style rope area, and a dedicated kick-bike course kids can use with no bike of their own (helmet rental included, ¥300 for 30 minutes, weekends/holidays only).
[PHOTO: IMG_9407 — park map signboard at the entrance] [PHOTO: IMG_9385_2 / IMG_9388_2 — rope bridge structures] [PHOTO: IMG_9412 — climbing the wooden fort]
There’s no restaurant inside, so bring food — though a food truck sometimes shows up on weekends. There are accessible restrooms with diaper-changing stations near the main entrance.
[PHOTO: IMG_9394 — collapsed on the bench after a full day]
👨👩👧👦 Practical Notes
- You don’t need a car, but it helps. By public transport: JR Odawara Station (shinkansen-accessible) → Hakone Tozan Bus toward “Ikoi-no-Mori (Wanpaku Land)” → get off at “Ikoi-no-Mori.” Buses run infrequently, so check the timetable before you go. If you’re renting a car anyway (for Hakone or Fuji), it’s a straightforward drive from the Odawara-Atsugi Road “Ogikubo IC,” about 3 minutes.
- Book the Forest Bike lesson in advance. Same-day booking is sometimes possible, but slots fill on weekends. Check the official reservation page.
- Pace the day around your kids’ limits, not yours. The bike lesson alone is a half-day commitment (90 min lesson + ride time). If you want to do both properly, this is closer to a 5–6 hour outing than a quick stop.
- Make it an overnight. RECAMP Odawara sits right at the trailhead if you want to slow the pace down.
It’s an easy add-on if you’re already heading toward Hakone or Mt. Fuji — and unlike a lot of “outdoor adventure” spots aimed at tourists, this one costs almost nothing if you skip the biking and just spend the day at Wanpaku Land.
Note: pricing and hours are current as of our visit but can change — always check official sites before booking.
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