Why Odawara is the Place to Be Right Now: New Shops, Events, and Ramen – Get a Jump on Spring!
I’d been noticing Odawara felt a bit more lively since last weekend, and it turns out that today, March 12th, Cainz has opened its new concept store right by the station. To top it off, we're right in the middle of a dedicated event week covering the Yugawara and Manazuru areas too. As a local, it's genuinely great to see Odawara getting some well-deserved attention just as spring starts to roll in.
Is Odawara Station Evolving? Cainz's New Urban Concept
Odawara Station is the main gateway to the Shonan and Hakone areas, served by the Odakyu Electric Railway and JR lines. Just a few minutes' walk from the station, home improvement retailer Cainz has opened a brand-new style of store. It's what they're calling an 'urban new format' – a compact, carefully curated shop that's a far cry from their usual sprawling warehouses.
I popped in for a look, and it's got everything from DIY gear to stylish interior bits and even food items. You'll find yourself wanting to pick up all sorts of things you didn't know you needed. It should be a real help for tourists staying at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa who need to grab something quickly without any hassle.
The Odawara, Yugawara & Manazuru Event Week: Unmissable Highlights
From March 10th to the 16th, the 'Odawara, Yugawara & Manazuru Event Week' is hosting a variety of happenings across the region. The ones creating a real buzz locally are:
- The Odawara Voice Power-Up Workshop: A unique workshop where you can learn speaking and vocal techniques from voice professionals. It's reportedly attracting everyone from business folks to seniors.
- Yugawara Hot Spring Evening Cherry Blossom Illumination: An early spring tradition. An evening stroll here is something special.
- Manazuru Fishing Port Morning Market: Bustling from early morning with locals and visitors hunting for fresh seafood.
The best part? All these events are easily accessible from Odawara Station via the Odakyu Electric Railway or local buses.
You Can't Visit Odawara Without Trying "Odawara-Style Ramen"
After working up an appetite exploring the events, you'll want to tuck into the local specialty: Odawara-style ramen. It's a soy sauce-based broth with medium-thick straight noodles, and the real giveaway is the generous topping of nori seaweed and finely chopped onions. The city is packed with ramen shops, from long-standing favourites to new contenders. The places near the station are great, but it's also worth venturing a bit further to discover a hidden gem that only the locals know about.
You could easily spend a leisurely weekend relaxing at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, or hop between different events for a more action-packed trip. Easily reached from Shinjuku via the Odakyu Electric Railway, Odawara is the perfect spot for a mini-break. Why not come and enjoy everything spring in Odawara has to offer?