Why Odawara is the place to be right now: New stores, events, and ramen – get a jump on spring!
I'd noticed Odawara felt a bit more lively than usual since last weekend, and it turns out today, March 12th, Cainz opened its new concept store right in front of the station. Plus, the event week spanning the Yugawara and Manazuru areas is in full swing. As a local, it's brilliant to see Odawara getting some well-deserved attention just as we're feeling the first hints of spring.
Is Odawara Station Area Changing? Cainz's New Urban Format
When you think of Odawara Station, you think of the gateway to Shonan and Hakone, served by the Odakyu Electric Railway and JR lines. Just a few minutes' walk from the station, home improvement chain Cainz has opened a brand new kind of store. It's what they call a "new urban format" – a compact shop with a carefully curated selection, a far cry from their usual sprawling stores.
I popped in for a look, and they stock everything from DIY gear to stylish interior goods and even food. It's the kind of place where you end up buying things you didn't know you needed. It'll be a godsend for tourists staying at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa who need to pick up something in a pinch.
Odawara, Yugawara & Manazuru Event Week: Not to Be Missed
From March 10th to 16th, the "Odawara, Yugawara & Manazuru Event Week" is hosting a variety of happenings across the region. The ones really getting the locals talking are:
- Odawara Voice Power-Up Workshop: A unique workshop where you can learn speaking and vocal techniques from voice professionals. It's proving a hit with 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 people after fresh seafood.
The best part is that 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"
If working up an appetite exploring events, you have to dig into the local specialty: Odawara-style ramen. It's a soy sauce-based broth with medium-thick straight noodles, and the defining features are the large piece of nori seaweed and the finely chopped onions. Odawara City is home to a vibrant ramen scene, from long-standing classics to exciting newcomers. The shops near the station are great, but it's also worth venturing a bit further to find a hidden gem that only the locals know about.
Fancy a relaxing weekend? The Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa is a perfect spot to unwind. Prefer to be on the go? Hopping between events is a great laugh. With Odakyu Electric Railway making it so easy to get to from Shinjuku, Odawara is the ideal destination for a quick getaway. Why not come and soak up everything spring in Odawara has to offer?