Odawara Station — Local services in Odawara

Caught the Shinkansen to Kyoto here after a day trip to the Hakone area. Busy, but not Tokyo busy. The shops are good here. Ended up getting this cute shoulder bag at the bookstore that I've not seen anywhere else. I used this bag for all my day trips here.

You can get food stuffs and drinks while you wait to get onto the platform.

Being on the Shinkansen was cool. Super fast. No real thrills. Didn't get anything from the onboard service. Seeing the service people bow before they leave your train car just shows you're in a different country.

Our car was partially full until Nagoya, where the school kids got up to leave. Then it was practically empty to Kyoto. There's wifi on the train.

I can't believe I didn't get a pic of the samurai statue in front of the station. (also missed a chance at a pic at a large Tanuki statue later in my trip.... take...

Coolest and cleanest train 🚂 station I have ever seen! No joke. You could go shopping and eating and options are endless. It’s is a huge station and you might feel lost at some point arriving, but once you ask for help at any information point you will be surprised. Just be ready to walk a lot. I am so grateful that customer service in Japan is so good, but if you don’t ask people will keep going their way. This station even includes a Hotel! 🏨 It is so much easier! And the hotel is a high quality hotel, not an old or cheap hotel. It has everything you need during traveling and we are very impressed. I have so much to say about the train stations in Japan but honestly I don’t have the free time I need to spend on it. I barely give a 5 * and I hope I can...

Odawara Station is a gem! The station is impeccably clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate. It’s a key hub for travelers heading to Hakone, with plenty of options for dining and shopping right inside. The signage is clear in both Japanese and English, making it convenient for international visitors. The staff is helpful, and the ticket machines are user-friendly. Plus, the connection to the Shinkansen and local lines is seamless, making it an excellent spot for both local and long-distance travel. Highly recommend stopping by Odawara Station if you’re...