Why Odawara is the Place to Be Right Now: New Stores, Events, Ramen... Get a Sneak Peek of Spring!
I'd noticed something buzzing around Odawara since last weekend, and it turns out that today, March 12th, Cainz has opened its new-format store near the station. Plus, we're right in the middle of an event week covering the Yugawara and Manazuru areas. As a local, it's truly thrilling to see Odawara in the spotlight just as we feel spring approaching.
Is Something Changing at Odawara Station? Cainz's New Urban Format
When you think of Odawara Station, it's the gateway to Shonan and Hakone, served by the Odakyu Electric Railway and JR lines. Just a few minutes' walk from that station, home improvement chain Cainz has opened a new kind of store. It's their so-called "new urban-style format" – compact, unlike their vast traditional stores, but featuring a carefully curated selection of goods.
I popped in for a look, and they stock not only DIY supplies but also stylish interior accessories and even food items. It makes you want to buy all sorts of extra things! This should be a real help for tourists staying at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, who might need to pick up some essentials in a pinch.
Odawara, Yugawara, Manazuru Event Week: Loads of Unmissable Events
From March 10th to 16th this week, various events are happening across the region under the banner "Odawara, Yugawara, Manazuru Event Week." The ones creating a real buzz locally are:
- Odawara Voice Power-Up Workshop: A unique workshop where you can learn speaking and vocal techniques from voice professionals. Apparently, it's attracting everyone from businesspeople to seniors.
- Yugawara Hot Spring Night Cherry Blossom Illumination: An early spring tradition. An evening stroll here is something special.
- Manazuru Fishing Port Morning Market: Bustling from early morning as people come for fresh seafood.
You Can't Miss "Odawara-Style Ramen" When You're in Town
If you get peckish while hopping between events, you've got to try the local gourmet specialty: Odawara-style ramen. It features a soy sauce-based soup, medium-thick straight noodles, and its signature toppings: large sheets of nori seaweed and finely chopped onions. Within Odawara City, numerous ramen shops, from long-established classics to new open, compete for customers. The shops near the station are great, but it's also fun to venture a bit further and discover a hidden gem that only the locals know about.
For the weekend, you could either relax at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa or have a great time hopping between events. Easily accessible from Shinjuku via the Odakyu Electric Railway, Odawara is perfect for a short trip. So, why not come and enjoy spring in Odawara to the fullest?