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

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.