It rained heavily all morning in Odawara today.
By evening, the rain became lighter, but the temperature had dropped a lot since yesterday, and the air felt surprisingly chilly.
Rainy weather can sometimes make travelers feel disappointed during a trip.
But in Odawara, there is actually a place that becomes even more special on rainy days.
That place is MINAKA ODAWARA.
Since it is directly connected to Odawara Station, you can visit without getting wet.
A Town Inspired by Old Japan
MINAKA Odawara was designed to look like an old Edo-period castle town and post town along the historic Tokaido road.
The wooden walls, tiled roofs, lanterns, and narrow walkways create the feeling of walking through old Japan.
In the evening, many lanterns light up around the building.
The soft warm light shining through the paper lanterns creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
On rainy days, the reflections on the wet ground make the scenery even more beautiful.
The glowing lanterns sparkle on the pavement, creating a quiet and nostalgic mood that feels almost cinematic.
A Quiet Open-Air Food Court
MINAKA Odawara also has an outdoor food court area surrounded by many local restaurants and shops.
You can buy food or drinks from the nearby stores and enjoy them in the open seating area.
On sunny weekends, the space is usually full of tourists and locals.
But today, because it was a rainy weekday, the area was quiet.
There are also covered tables, so you can still relax comfortably even on rainy days.
With the sound of the rain, it feels like stepping back into old Japan.
Delicious Bread from a Local Bakery
Today, I stopped by Bakery Bunbun inside MINAKA Odawara to buy some bread for tomorrow’s breakfast.
This bakery is popular with local people and known for its simple, comforting flavors.
Today I bought:
- an Odawara lantern-shaped anpan (sweet red bean bread)
- a Japanese custard cream bun
- a blueberry bagel
I was in a hurry today, so I couldn’t stay long.
But Bakery Bunbun also serves reasonably priced coffee, and the plaza is a lovely place to enjoy fresh bread on a rainy day.
Rainy Days in Odawara Can Be Beautiful Too
Rain during a trip is not always a bad thing.
In Odawara, rainy days create beautiful scenes you cannot see on sunny days.
The warm lantern lights reflecting on the wet ground make the whole town feel peaceful and atmospheric.
That is why rainy days in Odawara have become something I look forward to.
