Why Odawara is the Place to Be Right Now: New Stores, Events, and Ramen – Get Ready for Spring!
I’d noticed Odawara felt like something’s been happening since last weekend, and sure enough, today, March 12th, Cainz has apparently opened their new-format store near the station. Plus, the event week covering the Yugawara and Manazuru areas is in full swing. As a local, it’s honestly good to see Odawara getting some attention right as we feel spring creeping in.
Is Odawara Station Precinct Changing? Cainz's New Urban Format
When you think of Odawara Station, it's the gateway to Shonan and Hakone, served by the Odakyu Railway and JR lines. Just a few minutes' walk from the station, home improvement giant Cainz has opened a new kind of store. It's what they call a 'new urban format' – compact but with a carefully curated range, a far cry from their usual massive warehouses.
I popped in for a look, and it's not just DIY gear; they have stylish homewares and even groceries. You'll find yourself wanting to buy things you didn't know you needed. It should be pretty handy for tourists staying at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa who need to pick up something in a pinch.
Odawara, Yugawara, Manazuru Event Week: Plenty Not to Miss
This week, from March 10th to 16th, it's the 'Odawara, Yugawara, Manazuru Event Week', with all sorts of happenings across the region. The ones getting locals talking are these highlights:
- Odawara Voice Power-Up Workshop: A unique workshop where you can learn speaking and vocal techniques from voice professionals. Apparently, it's proving popular with everyone from business people to seniors.
- Yugawara Onsen's Night Cherry Blossom Illumination: An early spring tradition. An evening stroll here is something special.
- Manazuru Fishing Port Morning Market: Bustling from early morning with people after fresh seafood.
The best part is all these spots are easy to get to from Odawara Station via the Odakyu Railway or bus.
You Can't Visit Odawara Without Trying 'Odawara-Style Ramen'
If all that event-hopping works up an appetite, you've got to try the local specialty, Odawara-style ramen. It's a soy sauce-based broth with medium-thick straight noodles, and the real giveaways are the big sheets of nori (seaweed) and finely chopped onions. All over Odawara City, from long-standing shops to newer places, ramen joints are vying for the top spot. The ones near the station are great, but it's also worth wandering a bit to find a hidden gem only the locals know about.
You could spend a relaxing weekend at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, or hop between events for a fun day out. Easily accessible from Shinjuku via the Odakyu Railway, Odawara is perfect for a quick getaway. So, how about coming to soak up all that spring in Odawara has to offer?