Odawara Is Trending Right Now: New Stores, Events, Ramen... Get a Sneak Peek of Spring!
Odawara's been feeling a bit more bustling since last weekend, and it turns out today, March 12th, Cainz opened their new-concept store near the station. Plus, we're right in the middle of an event week covering the Yugawara and Manazuru areas too. As a local, it's great to see Odawara getting some attention just as we're feeling spring in the air.
Is Odawara Station Precinct Changing? Cainz's New Urban Format
When you think of Odawara Station, it's the gateway to the Shonan and Hakone areas, served by the Odakyu Electric Railway and JR lines. Just a few minutes' walk from that station, home improvement giant Cainz has opened a new kind of store. It's what they call a 'new urban format' – compact compared to their massive suburban stores, but with a carefully curated selection of goods.
I popped in for a look, and they've got not just DIY gear but stylish interior goods and even groceries – you'll find yourself wanting to buy all sorts of extras. For tourists staying at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, it means they won't be stuck if they need to grab something in a hurry.
Odawara, Yugawara & Manazuru Event Week: Plenty Not to Miss
From March 10th to 16th this week, there's an 'Odawara, Yugawara & Manazuru Event Week' on, with all sorts of happenings across the region. The ones getting the locals talking are these:
- 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 Onsen Evening 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.
The best part is all these events are easily accessible from Odawara Station via the Odakyu Electric Railway or buses.
You Can't Miss "Odawara-Style Ramen" When You're in Town
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 key features are the big sheets of nori seaweed and the finely chopped onions. All across Odawara City, from long-established shops to newcomers, ramen places are competing for the best bowl. The ones 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.
For the weekend, you could take it easy at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, or hop between a few events. Odawara is super accessible from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Electric Railway, making it perfect for a quick getaway. Why not come and soak up everything spring in Odawara has to offer?