Kofu or Odawara?

I am going to Japan with a group of friends in a little while. I have been to Japan before. My friends are going to spend a day in Tokyo Disney. I'm more of a Sengoku history buff so I was thinking of doing a day trip to check out a historical site while they are at Disney and meet them again in Tokyo that evening. Would it be worth it to go to Kofu for half a day? I'm a little concerned with the 4 hour round trip train ride that it may be too much fir a half day trip, although I would love to see the sites connected with Takeda Shingen. If it's a bridge too far, is Odawara Castle enough for a half day trip? Is there enough to see to make it worth it? Thank you!

I have always wanted to go to Shingen Tsutsumi Koen in Kai-shi to see the hijiri ushi (river flood mitigation structures)! But I suppose this is not at the top of your list of Takeda Shingen spots. Stick with central Kofu. I have taken that train ride (limited express from Shinjuku) and think itfs a very nice recreational ride in itself (good scenery, comfortable train), and if you have half a day to actually spend in Kofu you can probably do quite a bit. Well worth it even without the hijiri ushi. (One of these days Ifll get therec)

Personally, I think that Odawara Castle would be a poor substitute for Kofu. Itfs not nearly as nice a train ride, and the castle, a reconstruction, is far from being one of the best in Japan. And Takedafs experience there wasnft exactly a high point of his career.

Many people feel that four hours round trip on trains is too much for a day trip, but for me that is not the case at all, as long as the train trip itself is halfway decent.

I have done Kofu as a day trip from Tokyo for myself (basically went for lunch and look at the castle - it was a free trip as I had the remainder of a TWP). While I have ridden that line amny times to/from Matsumoto, for a first time it would be a good day excursion from Tokyo.

Odawara - again, I have visited the castle and Odawara township several times. I agree the train is not as scenic, and while the castle is a reconstruction, the museum inside is pretty good. (And, I'm pleased the poor monkey cage has been removed.) I have a fondness for Odawara as I tend to stay there rather than the over-rated Hakone area.

Between the two, I'd pick Kofu. I think that would tick more boxes for a day trip. And four hours round-trip is not too long.

Thank you so much both of you for responding! Kofu it is then! I appreciate the perspective!

For Kofu in my experience the tickets on the Asama train (the express train) sell out quite easily. At least on weekends. So would suggest to reserve your seat ASAP. per my memory there is no unreserved section. There can be unreserved seats if some seats werenft reserved. But if all seats were reserved you need to stand.
There is a non express train as well which hasnft any seat reservations and takes longer.