Odawara Living

Kevin`s English Schools is Hiring for 2009!

2008-07-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

Kevin`s English Schools of Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan will be interviewing
prospective teachers for April 2009 in Vancouver, BC this summer.
For more information about our small chain of Canadian owned schools visit our homepage: http://www.eikaiwa1.com
For an interview in Vancouver during summer 2008, Email owner
Kevin Burns at kevinsenglishschools@hotmail.com
Teach in a Canadian, Victorian style house, a small,riverside cottage like
school and downtown city school, all in a very beautiful area of Japan.
Near the mountains, the sea and Yokohama and Tokyo.

Local Events for Children and Family

2008-06-25T01:36:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I've recently participated a taue event near Tomizu.
If you are interested, take a look at the host's website.
http://tanbo.gooside.com/ (in Japanese)
They host this event every year, might be a good chance
if you haven't done taue.

mom/kids cafe/community space in Shimosoga.
http://gingamura.chicappa.jp/kawamoto/

If you are nearby, wishing to get along with local moms,
it's a good place to start with. Some of the children there
can speak English, too.

cheers,
Takuya

International Party in Odawara

2008-06-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

You're all invited to a fun summer party. Let's drink, talk and be
merry together. Go to Shalamer on Saturday, July 19th from 7-9pm.
Entrance fee is 1000 yen which includes one drink and snacks. After
that, all drinks are 500 yen. Please RSVP by July 12 to:
conrad@conradsenglishhouse.com. For info. in Japanese, please check
Homepage: conradsenglishhouse.com

Note: Most attending will be students who are studying English but
there should also be a half-dozen or so local foreigners. Come make
some new friends.

English Language Christian Worship Services in Odawara

2008-05-25T02:56:00.000-07:00

by John Martin

Especially since the Odawara Christian Center (where we worked
several years ago) has pretty well closed down activities for
foreigners living in the area, my wife and I wanted to let folks know
we're still in the area and hope to be for a long time!

We've been asked by some friends if we'd start some periodic English-
language Christian worship for people here who would like that. So,
we're planning to get together for some fun and informal Christian
worship in English on the first Saturday of June, June 7th. We plan
to start at 6:00pm.

We anticipate a mixed group of friends coming, including Japanese and
foreign friends living in the area. People who come need not
be "Christians," but would need to be respectful of the people coming
and what's going on (and not be proslytizing for any kind of network
marketing scheme or "new" religion or cult group, etc.). Please.

Our time together that evening will mostly be in English, of course,
and we may celebrate the Lord's Supper (Communion) together, as well
as sing some songs, pray together, have a short Bible message or
study time, and just hang out some, getting to know each other better.

We've also been having some gatherings that folks here, foreigners
and Japanese, would be welcome to come join, if they'd be interested
(with the same stipulations above).

For example, last night we had a Christian Japanese friend who's
helping in Cambodia visiting. About 15 folks came to eat together and
hear about her work especially with some of the very poor children in
Cambodia. (I'll work to post information about things like that in
the future.)

We now live in Ninomiya, just a short bus ride away from Ninomiya
station. Folks should write me at this address, with a bit of an
introduction of themselves, and we can give directions.

Sincerely,
John Martin

Odawara Laughter Club

2008-05-25T02:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

We would like to let you know of a kind of club which is spreading
like wildfire throughout the world and has now arrived in Odawara!

LAUGHTER CLUB (Laughter Yoga)

We all know that laughter makes us feel good. Laughter Yoga combines
laughter exercises and yoga breathing to give you the health benefits
of hearty laughter. It's fun and easy.
After just one laughter yoga session you can experience the benefits
and feel the difference: blood and all major organs are fully
oxygenated, leaving us bursting with energy. High endorphin levels
put us in a great mood and reduce pain. Stress levels reduce by 75%.

Come laugh, make friends, and feel great!

Dates: Saturday, May 24th; Saturday, June 7; Sunday, June 29;
Saturday, July 5; Sunday, July 20; Saturday, August 9; Sunday, August 17

May 24th Guest Teacher: Mary Tadokoro

- Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher with Dr. Kataria's School of
Laughter Yoga - Co-founder, Tokyo Laughter Club,
Japan's first laughter club

Time: 2:00-3:30

What to bring: You don't even need a sense of humor, but please
bring some drinking water. You can also bring a snack or something
to share after the session if you like. (Please bring a bath towel
or yoga mat on 6/29, 7/20, and 8/17; on the other days, we will meet
in the tatami room.)

Place: Odawara-Shi Shougai Gakushuu Senta- "Keyaki" (formerly
Odawara Chuo Kominkan). Shiyakusho Mae bus stop.

Access: 15 minute walk from Odawara station's WEST exit, or bus from
EAST exit. Take any bus from Platform 2. Get off at Shiyakusho Mae
(the big white building). The Keyaki Senta- is just behind the
Shiyakusho (City Hall), about a 3 minute walk from the bus stop. The
bus leaves Odawara Station at 1:00, 1:15, 1:30, 1:45. It takes about
10 minutes and costs 160 yen. (There are also less frequent buses
from the west exit.)

Fee: Free (Donations welcome.)

Language: Japanese and English

Reservations: Please email us your name, phone number, and the
number of people wanting reservations. Please also let us know if
you'll be bringing children.

Susie & Linda, odawaralaughterclub@gmail.com

For more information, please visit:

Japan site (bilingual): http://www.laughteryoga.jp/

International site: http://www.laughteryoga.org/

100 Remarkable Waters List

2008-05-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

Pictured: Saijoji Temple in Minami Ashigara Shi

Yamakita and Minami Ashigara share the honors in
the 100 Remarkable Waters List for Japan.

Minami Ashigara Info

2008-05-06T02:59:00.000-07:00

Students studying English in Minami Ashigara Shi

by TH

City Area: 7,693ha
1. Residential land: 517ha (7%) 2. Agricultural land: 827ha (11%)
3. Forest land: 5,270ha (68%) 4. Other land: 1,079ha (14%)

2. Climate
1. Average Temperature: 16.2 degree C 2. Highest Temperature: 36.2 degree C
3. Lowest Temperature: -3.1 degree C 4. Annual Rainfall: 1509.5 mm

3. Population: 43,702 (April 1, 1995)
1. Male: 21,886 2. Female: 21,816 3. Population Density: 568/square km

4. Other Statistics
1. Tourists: 1,530,905 (1994) 2. Hospitals: 2 3. Schools: Elementary/6, Junior High/4, Senior High/1 4. Sister City: Tilburg, Netherland

Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd:
World #2 photographic film manufacturer has the largest color film/paper production plants here in Minami-ashigara, where around 4000 people are working. Dominating!

Daiyuzan Saijo-ji Temple (Doryoson):
Founded in 1394, this temple is the third highest in status in the Buddhist Soto Sect (Zen temple), outranked only by Eihei-ji in Fukui and Soji-ji in Tsurumi.

Mt. Kintoki-yama
Elevation1213m、the highest peak in the Hakone mountain range.
It is said the home-ground of "Kintaro" boy. With various seasonal scenes, hikers like to visit there. At the top, the famous "Kintoki-musume" will welcome you and serve you Japanese tea.

Kari-river.
Small but the biggest in the town. Clean and clear water. "Ayu (sweetfish)" is river-fish native to Japan, which only live in clean water like Kari-river.
People love eating "Ayu" as a Japanese traditional delicacy. "Ayu" fishing season opens on June 1, every year.

Daiyuzan Line.
Only one line in the town. Single-tracked. It connects between Odawara, which is the biggest city in the area, and the city center called "Daiyuzan". The distance in between is only 10 km and 21 mimutes ride. The train runs every 12 minutes. No accidents and no competition whatsoever.

"Sunset Waterfall".
One story is that it is named so because the Sun goes down from the center of the fall on January 15th, every year. The 23-meter-high, 5-meter-wide waterfall on the Uchi River on the upper reaches of the Sakawa River (which goes to the Pacific Ocean) is said to have been the place where the legendary Kintaro took his first bath as a new-born baby. The falls and surroundings are beautiful with the fresh green leaves of early summer and the crimson foliage in late autumn. In summertime, the camp-ground is open and the area is enjoyed by people playing along the river.

Along the bank of Horagawa river are Cherry Blossoms.

It is a REAL tourist town, quite friendly, and many of my friends go there for hiking in summer and autumn. Very quiet off-season, and as you guessed not many clubs and bars. Go to Odawara for that. Good intro to the older Japan, that many folks search for.

Originally posted at the Gaijinpot.com Forum

th

Robinsons & Odawara City Mall Cresse

2008-05-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

by Kevin Burns

Odawara may well have the best shopping available in one area,
(Kamonomiya) in all of Kanagawa now.

Odawara City Mall recently expanded
(behind the main mall) and now has many more
stores and a food fair that has
Mr. Submarine--Yum yum!

Moreover, the Sports Depot
I surmise is the largest sports store in Kanagawa. It is huge!!!!
The Daiso here too, is the largest 100 Yen shop I have ever
been in, anywhere in the world. It is monstrous.

Lots of parking available. Highly recommended!

On a side note: It is rumored that Odawara will be
getting a Don Kehote store soon. I hope so!

Kanagawa Governor Shigefumi Matsuzawa on Foreigners

2008-05-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

Governor Matsuzawa`s spoke out concerning his feelings
about foreigners and crime in Kanagawa. You can read more
here.

Odawara Sangha

2008-03-28T07:08:00.000-07:00

Buddha courtesy of my students from Fuji Film

Thought this might be of interest to some of our readers who
live in the area:

Odawara Sangha
Contact: Keisuke Shimada
117 Uchiyama Minami Ashigara Kanagawa
Tel/Fax: (81) 465-73-0831
Tradition: Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hahn
and Order of Interbeing.
Affiliation: Community of Mindful Living

Beautiful Hadano, Kanagawa

2008-03-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Pictures of Hadano, courtesy of Jonathan DeNardis

Hadano, Kanagawa, Japan is a beautiful city of 165,000 people about 70 minutes south of Tokyo and nestled next to the mountains. There is great air, hiking and sightseeing in and around the city.

Some Canadians say it reminds them of Kelowna,
British Columbia. Which is strange as there is no lake,
and often no river--the river through Hadano runs after
it rains! But there is an ambience that
reminds one of Kelowna. Maybe you have to visit Hadano
to know what I am saying.

Hadano can be accessed by the Odakyu Line and is about 20 minutes
north of Odawara and 70 minutes south of Tokyo`s Shinjuku Station.

It boasts a large library with many English books,riverside walks and a cosmopolitan atmosphere for a mid-sized Japanese city. Where South Americans, Asians and North Americans live side by side with the Japanese. Along route 246 you can often see people of different nationalities taking their nightly walk with their family. If you walk
around the city you can see where they live, and perhaps eavesdrop on
some Brazilian music or sniff some Chinese food being cooked nearby.

The Tobacco Festival is a huge annual event here and has many fun activities going on all along the river and downtown. It shouldn`t be missed!

Odawara Jyuku Nariwai Rest House

2008-03-07T23:37:00.000-08:00

Photo of Odawara Jyuku Nariwai Rest House courtesy of Kanagawa Kankou: www.kanagawa-kankou.or.jp/

by Kevin Burns

Admission: Free

Address: 3-6-23 Honcho, Odawara City 250-0012
Tel/Fax: 0465-20-0515

Originally a fishing net wholesale shop built in 1932
(Or the 7th year of the Showa Era). It was reopened
as a rest house for tourists and citizens in 2001.
It can be used to relax in or as a presentation centre.
The building is very interesting and a local landmark.

They style is one of a typical merchant`s house.
It was rebuilt after the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923.

Truly it gives you the feeling of what Odawara was like
in years long gone.

To Get There:
Get off at Odawara sta. on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen line, JR line, Odakyu line, Daiyuzan line, Hakone Tozan line, and take a Odawarajuku Sightseeing Excursion Bus from the east exit.(The Odawara Shuttle Bus runs from the East Exit during certain times of the year.)

Official Site
http://www.city.odawara.kanagawa.jp/ (Japanese)

In Odawara - Poem

2007-12-31T20:18:00.000-08:00

Pictured: Hakone Town near Odawara

In Odawara - Poem
Literary Review, Spring, 2000 by Jose Wendell Capili

When it is not raining in Odawara,
I climb a mountain path where I can see
the feudal lord's castle, chrysanthemums
unfolding autumn wind and spice,
sun beams peeping though clouds,
eaves where my lover slept once.

Over cups of wine, I sit on pebbles,
listen to bamboo flutes and a banjo
with four strings recollecting music
from the clasping of watermelon vines.
At night, I put out bonfires on rocks
by the stream shrouded in evening mist.
I am hidden among Odawara's foliage
keeping a lamentation's peculiar mind and ear.

About the Author:

Jose Wendell Capili graduated with degrees from the University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines Diliman, University of Tokyo, and the University of Cambridge where he received an MPhil in Social Anthropology. He received prizes, awards and fellowships for his poetry, essays and academic research from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Korea Foundation, Cambridge Overseas Trust, Carlos Palanca Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines, and others. He is an assistant professor of English, Creative Writing and Comparative Literature at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is the author of A Madness of Birds, a poetry collection Short Circuit, and Multiculturalism, a book of criticism co-authored with Joseph McCallus. He is currently working on Mindoro and Beyond: A Biography of National Artist NVM Gonzalez.

COPYRIGHT 2000 Fairleigh Dickinson University
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group

Hakone Daimyou Gyouretsu

2007-10-31T02:45:00.000-07:00

Hakone Daimyou Gyouretsu
Date: November 3 (Holiday)
Location: Yumoto Onsen Machi
Access: Get off at Hakone Yumoto Station on the Odakyu Line or the
Hakone Tozan Railway

This event includes a spectacular Hakone Daimyou Gyouretsuular
daimyou gyouretsu procession and parades of
approximately 200 Yumoto geiko (geisha) and te-odori dance.
Keyari lance performances held midway are also not to be missed.
Departs from Souun-ji Temple (Yumoto Elementary School, 10:00) and
ends at the Yumoto Fujiya Hotel around 14:20.

For details, contact the Hakone Yumoto Tourist Association (Tel: 0460-85-7751)

KevCon Games Convention in Odawara in October, 2007

2007-09-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

KevCon in Kanagawa on Sunday & Monday Oct. 7th & 8th

Featuring some Games Workshop Game Tournaments

Play Starts at Noon on Sunday, October 7th and finishes on Monday
evening.

We will hold the following tournaments:

Warhammer 40K, & Lord of the Rings on Sunday and Monday.

Plus please bring your own games as open gaming of all kinds is
encouraged!

New people welcome!

The above tournaments will be ongoing over the two days, so you can
join in other games as well, then play your next opponent as the
tournament unfolds.

Warhammer 40K will be held at our Tsukahara School.

Lord of the Rings will be held at our Anne School (Kevin`s House).

Everyone welcome!

When:

Sunday and Monday October 7th and 8th.
Monday is a national holiday.

Cost: Free

What to bring:
Your armies, favourite games, and a sleeping bag.

*Please help with cleaning up before you leave.

Where:
In Minami Ashigara City, near Odawara, Kanagawa
http://www.odawara-living.blogspot.com

Venues:

Warhammer 40K Tournament:

Contact Chris Zanella by Email to play or if you have any questions:

Email: themrcz@hotmail.com

Kevin`s English School (Tsukahara Station)
2659-5 Tsukahara
Minami Ashigara Shi, Kanagawa 250-0122
http://www.eikaiwa1.com

For Lord of the Rings (GW) and Open Gaming Contact:

Kevin Burns by Email: greatpowers@yahoo.com

LOTR & Open Gaming will be held at Kevin`s House:

Kevin`s English School (Anne) --also Kevin`s House
Address: Iizawa 242-23 Minami Ashigara City, Kanagawa
Email: greatpowers@yahoo.com
http://www.eikaiwa1.com

How to Get There from:
Tokyo, Fujisawa, Atsugi, Machida, Yokohama or Sakhalin:
Take the Odakyu Line to Odawara and be sure to get into one of the
first four train cars as the train splits. Take a Kyuko (express
train) it has red kanji on the side usually next to the door up top.
It takes about 90 minutes.

*The Tokaido line also runs to Odawara.

For Tsukahara School:
Get off at Odawara Station and transfer to the Daiyuzan Line. Get off
at Iiwahara Station, it takes 10 minutes from Odawara. Take the only exit.
Cross the train tracks. Take your first left. Walk straight past the
golf driving range on your right, then you will see the white
house-like building on your right, across from the Fuji Supermarket.
The Tournaments are up on the second floor.

For Anne -- Kevin`s House:
Get off at Odawara Station and transfer to the Daiyuzan Line. Get off
at Daiyuzan Station, it takes 24 minutes from Odawara. Take the only
exit, walk straight out to the main street out in front and head left
down that street through the traffic lights (under the covered
pedestrian overpass). Over the bridge and you will see our green
roofed house with "Kevin`s English School" signs plastered all over
the place.

How to Get There:
From Shizuoka, Nagoya and other points South: Take the
Tokaido line or the Shinkansen and get off at Odawara. Transfer to
the Daiyuzan line and follow the directions above (for Tokyo).

**The Shinkansen also stops at Odawara. You take a Kodama Super
Express. It takes about 40 minutes from Tokyo. Costs a little over
3,000 Yen one way.

Take a break from the city and see some mountain views and breathe
some fresh air.

Feel free to pass this on to interested people. Games of all kinds
welcome. Bring whatever you would like to play, chances are, others
will want to play it too. We have three guest beds and some futons.
Bring a sleeping bag if you`d like. It is a nice area as well.
A great break from wherever you live with a great bunch of people!

Kevin Burns
http://greatpowers1.googlepages.com/jigg%3Ajapan%60sinternationalgamersguild
http://www.jigg-greatpowers.blogspot.com

How to Get to Narita from the Odawara Area?

2007-08-26T16:36:00.000-07:00

by Kevin Burns

The Fujikyu bus only costs 4,000 Yen/adult and leaves from various points around Odawara and Minami Ashigara. It is a comfortable ride and a great service. I much prefer it over Narita Express or other ways as it is point to point. You don`t need to transfer anywhere. I get on the bus in Minami Ashigara and can sleep the whole way if I want to.

Here is their link:

http://www.fujikyu.co.jp/syonan/narita-highway2.html

How to Get to Narita by Train from Odawara

by Sandra Isaka

Getting to Narita is a real pain, but it can be
fairly stress-free with a little preparation.

The fastest way to Narita is to take the Tokaido line from
Odawara to Ofuna or Yokohama. Then, change to the 'Narita
Express'or 'NEX', which heads straight to the airport.

If you can catch an 'Acty' on the Tokaido line, it will
take you about 40 minutes to Ofuna, or about 55 to
Yokohama. (On the regular train it's about 48 minutes and
63 minutes). Then,on the NEX from Ofuna,it takes
just under 2 hours to the airport. From Yokohama, 1
1/2 hours. Only a few trains per day run from Ofuna,
so it is all about what connections are best for
you. Remember that you must make a reservation for the
NEX ahead of time! The cost of the NEX is about 4500
yen from Ofuna, and 4200 yen from Yokohama.
There
is another way to go that is occasionally quicker,
but only if your connections are perfect. The Odakyu
Romance Car from Odawara to Shinjuku takes 1 hour and 15
minutes. You can then jump on a NEX train in Shinjuku that
heads directly to the airport. That ride takes about an
hour and 15 minutes and costs about 3200 yen.

There are much cheaper ways to travel, but it is well
worth it to spend the extra money to travel in a
reserved seat with as few stops and transfers as
possible!
If anyone else knows a quick way, or if you know
the 'cheapest' way for those on a budget, please let
us know!

Odawara: "One of the Best Places in Japan to Live"

2007-08-26T16:27:00.000-07:00

I think this is one of the best places in Japan to live.

Close to Tokyo, but not too close.

Narita and Haneda airports are nearby.

Hakone, the Fuji 5 Lakes, Izu, and Kamakura are all less than an hour away.

This valley is beautiful, nice rivers, great hiking, great local festivals,...
I've been here for 7 years with no intention of moving.

Most of the ALT's in this area are here to stay (almost
all have married locals),so they are a good resource and if
you become friends, you don't have to worry that they'll
be leaving anytime soon.

The owner of Shalamar [nightclub] married an ALT in Odawara,
so the bar is very 'gaijin' friendly. Shalamar is about a 5 minute
walk from Odawara Station (very close to the Shane English School and
John Festas). Their phone number is 0465-23-5641.

As for hangouts, Shalamar and John Festas [Now has a new name]
are the main ones, but I haven't met most of the eikaiwa
teachers in this area, they may have a hangout of their own.

You can also sometimes find us at one of the area gyms (the
Odawara Arena, the Minami Ashigara Taiku Center, Daido Sports
Plaza,...).

S.G.

*If you have questions about Odawara, Minami Ashigara, Kaisei Town,
Hakone, or Oimachi feel free to ask them at the Odawara Bulletin Board
link above right.

Walmart in Odawara?

2007-08-26T03:38:00.000-07:00

Pictured: Park in Nagano, courtesy of Fuji Film Minami Ashigara Shi

Not quite, but it isn`t so far away.--Kevin

by Sandra Isaka

"The Seiyu in Gotemba has had a Walmart 'feel' to it for a couple of years ('rollback prices' signs, US Walmart clothing (in much smaller sizes), some food items,... I didn't find much that interested me, but it was better than Seiyu before Walmart. I haven't been there in a long time, so it might be even better. Isn't there a Seiyu in the Hadano/Nakai area as well?"--Sandra Isaka

Took a ride over to Numazu last weekend to check out the new Seiyu.
First, by Tomei from Matsuda, the ride took only 35 minutes (right to
the front doors). This, of course, depends on traffic. It was
raining, but there was no traffic at all, so this is probably the
fastest you can get there.

The store itself. When you pull in, the coloring is all Walmart.
Inside it is as if you have been transported back to the States, only
the ailes are even wider and the place is even more 'open'. There is
a small, but nicely done food court, serving a number of different
foods. Italian, Thai, Hawaiian, and some regular Japanese
selections. I didn't acually eat anything, however.

The grocery section reminded me of the new "MAXVALU" here in Kaisei.
In fact, I'd say there was almost no difference except for the fish
department. That area looked pretty fantastic (but you need to
actually know HOW to prepare all those fish). I saw only a handful
of Walmart brand food items (actually, only 3 or 4). So, don't go
there expecting foreign foods, there aren't any.

The clothing department was more promising. Some of the ladies
underwear was straight from Walmart, and some of the 'basic' items (t-
shirts, shorts,...) were also imported. I think the sizing is a
little different, but I didn't really get a close look. I bought 'L'
size underwear and they actually fit. Men's section looked decent,
as did the children's clothing department.

They had a nice ladies sunglasses display (all for 700 yen), plus
unbrellas, hats, purses,...

Cosmetics, medicine, toys, baby goods, electronics,... were all
Japanese products. Housewares was different. There was a lot of
the 'Martha Stewart' brand (that used to be carried by Kmart in the
States). There is no 'scandal' here for Martha, so it could be a
perfect place to build a brand following for her! Anyway, the
towels, sheets, kitchen goods,... were mostly Martha. Unfortunately
for me, the sheets were all 'adapted' for the Japanese market. Cool
sheets,... that fit futons, instead of the regular 'queen' and 'king'
sized sets you get back home.

Blankets and other types of bedding were all Japanese. Nothing
special.

All in all, I only bought some underwear and a pair of sunglasses. I
probably won't go back, but I am glad I got to see it. I think
NITORI in Odawara (and Hadano) has just as good a selection (and
prices) on home goods, and MAXVALU is just as good for food. A
little out of the way for just a 'natsukashii' feeling.

On the other hand, if I lived in Numazu, things would be different.
I'd probably shop there every week.

As well if you can go to Yokohama or Tokyo check out the
Don Quixote Stores (written in katakana). They are Japan`s
version of Walmart and stocked literally full of cheap to
reasonably priced items. The range they carry is truly huge
and my only fear is that I will be buried by their merchandise
during an earthquake, the store is packed so chalk-full of items to buy.--Kevin

Nitori

2007-08-18T17:42:00.001-07:00

by Sandra Isaka

The Odawara City Mall has a lot to offer,
including 'Nitori', a home furnishing and furniture store.
If you have ever visited a 'Home Place' or similar
home furnishing store back home, 'Nitori' will be a
pleasant surprise.

It is wide and spacious, with a good
selection and great prices. I purchased a 20 piece dish set
for only 2000 yen. There are at least 20 patterns to
choose from, all ranging from 2000 yen to 4000 yen. I
was also very suprised and happy to see self-adhesive
wallpaper borders. They are a great, inexpensive way to
dress up a Japanese apartment. You can peel them off in
seconds if moving or remodeling. There are also many
items that would make great gifts. If you want a taste
of North America, try shopping at 'Nitori'.

Counterpoint

by Shawn Thir

I think you are right in but allow me to play
devil's advocate by saying if the big box stores move in,
what will happen to the small store owner? Of course,
a lot will go out of business.

Look at City Mall which Nitori is in. It's a bustling place.
Look at all the other shops around it. Compare that with
downtown Odawara-dead. I wonder what will happen to small
towns like Odawara in the future. They need some kind
of plan to draw people to shop and spend their money
in town.
Yes, Japan is changing but at glacial
speed. You can't realy blame the Japanese, either; they
are simply trying to protect the system they have now
without having to go through the American restructuring
of the 1990s. However, I personally feel it is only
a matter of time before the American Way of doing
business becomes the norm.

More on This

by Kevin Burns

Shawn, I agree in terms of reforms things are
going glacially. But in terms of consumerism,
the
changes have been dramatic and quick.

Only a few
years ago many people were willing
to spend a lot
of money for many things. Now,
no way. Many stores large and small with
inexpensive items abound. The restaurants too have followed
suit.

I agree, the Odawara downtown core will have
to be revitalized in some way. I think once the
flow of customers starts to ebb, the downtown
stores will spruce up their store fronts and do
other things to attract customers, otherwise they
will die.

The problem is the whole area will really need to
do this, and I find that many shop keepers
are rather complacent about simply painting their shops
and doing things to make them more attractive.

My wife had a store in Kayama and it was a beautiful
little store. The problem was the surrounding stores
weren't. No flowers, old crumbling paint and not very
attractive. Kayama could be a fun little shopping area if
everyone got together and spruced up their stores. But
many of them, at that time anyway, hadn't been
painted in years. My wife's store in downtown Odawara
or Kamonomiya would have been a success, but in Kayama it
withered and died with the end of the Bubble economy.
The rent was very high and the
customers petered
out. It was too bad. Unfortunately we thought we had
chosen an up and coming area, but what we really had
chosen was one with very complacent store owners.

Update: The downtown area of Odawara is witnessing
a revival with many downtown stores being renovated.

Kevin`s English Schools Model Day

2007-07-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

Minami Ashigara Shi, Kanagawa
南足柄市
by Chris Zanella

So I held my first model class here. We thought this would be a good weekend but it turns out the students are all on summer break. And, there is a big soccer camp going on now that some of my students were attending. So I only had 6 students but I will be doing this again in September after my summer break.

The models I bought the same weekend I went to the Tokyo Toy show. The store owner of Leonardo's gave me a huge discount on the models shown in picture #1, so they only cost about 50-60 cents each plus some I had in there for myself not pictured (those were about $10.00 each). Leonardo's is the place that was a used shop with 5 floors and 8 locations in Japan.

I showed the students how to remove with sprue cutters and to file the nubs left behind away. I was afraid hobby knives might be a little much for some of them. The students were as young as 5 and the oldest I believe was 9. We used the closest thing I could find to sharpies for painting. And there was very little gluing needed so I did that for each model.

I hope you guys enjoy the pics.
Kevin`s English Schools` Model Day Gallery.
More Kevin`s English Schools Model Day Photos

The Odawara Christian Centre Library

2007-04-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

Where:

Don and Amy Johnson
Odawara Christian Center
1-6-18 Shiroyama
Odawara-shi, Kanagawa-ken
JAPAN, 250-0045

To get to the Christian Centre, take the Shinkansen
side exit of Odawara Station, go left outside the
station until you pass a police box underneath
the train tracks on your left. After that cross
the street and go up the narrow side street you
will see right in front of you. You will find the
Odawara Christian Centre on the right.
It is a white three story building
(small box-like building). The restaurant
is on the first floor.

The Odawara Christian Centre has generously provided space
and has opened a public library. The library looks great!

They bought a step ladder so that people can reach the books on the top
shelf of the library.

Remember too that on the first floor, every Tues-Thursday
you can enjoy a very inexpensive yet, good and nourishing
lunch there too.

"Your idea to establish English lending libraries in Odawara was great and we are happy that we could help you in this endeavor. We think we have some interesting material that people will enjoy reading."--Don Johnson, of the Odawara Christian Centre

Kuno Flower Garden near Iidaoka Station

2007-03-31T18:03:00.000-07:00

by Shawn Thir

Where: Located up the hill from Iidaoka Station on the Daiyuzan Line

Closer to home, I highly recommend the Kuno Flower
Garden in Odawara. It is bedside the incinerator on top
of the hill near the Japan Tobacco factory. The
garden offers year round viewing with Ume in the winter,
some sakura for the spring, loads of hydrangeas for
the summer and lots of maples for leaf viewing in the
fall.

When I went there on the weekend, they had an open air
farmer's market, mainly dealing in flowers and gardening
supplies but you could also pick up some local fruit and
vegetables for dirt cheap. There's tons of space at the
garden for a picnic or, if you're more active, there is
also a huge paved open space that would be perfect for
roller blading. Check it out.

A Quote on Odawara`s Need for Centrally Located Cultural Amenities:

2007-03-31T17:55:00.000-07:00

"The city fathers seem to be aware of this, though, and have
apparently decided that a city of Odawara's size and historical
significance really ought to have a few cultural amenities- some
historical sites, say, maybe a few museums, a library, maybe a zoo.
And with typical impeccable Japanese logic, they have decided to
provide all these things. In the same place."
--steelypips.org

Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History

2007-03-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

This surprisingly good earth science museum in Odawara is located near Iriuda Station on the Hakone-Tozan train line. Check out the link below for a map and more information in Japanese. It is well worth a visit on a rainy day or if you want a break from the heat of summer. Great for the kids too--dinosaurs, mammoths, insects galore!

http://nh.kanagawa-museum.jp/index.html

"Inside the unique building are displays of fossils of dinosaurs and ammonites, and the 4.6 billion year history of the earth is explained from the viewpoints of "earth", "life", "Kanagawa" and "symbiosis"."--Kanagawa Now

3 mins. walk from Iriuda sta. on the Hakone Tozan line

Tel 0465-21-1515

Odawara`s International Lounge

2007-02-08T17:47:00.001-08:00

Pictured: Jazz musician Chris Weber has graced the Odawara music scene for a few years now. He can often be heard at Odawara`s Cafe Ryo on the downtown shopping
street near McDonald`s

Website: http://homepage3.nifty.com/oifa/english/lounge/lounge.htm

The Odawara International Lounge offers English newspapers and magazines, an English book library, internet access, a bulletin board, and extremely cheap Japanese lessons
with great teachers! Moreover if you have an event like a party you can hold it at the lounge. Visit the link above to learn more. The Lounge is located in the Sakae
Cho Parking Garage on the third floor. Don`t be fooled, it is actually a very nice building, and looks kind of like a Japanese castle. It is located next to the main post office in Odawara.