Odawara City in Kanagawa Prefecture was originally a post town on the Tokaido, one of Japan's major transportation routes. Odawara lanterns are said to have started in the mid-Edo period, when local craftsmen made them for travelers. When folded, the body of the lantern fits into the lid, making it easy to carry. The lantern’s flat ribs allow the paper to be firmly attached, making it difficult to peel off and resistant to rain and fog.