Restaurants in Minami Ashigara

Pictured: Kevin`s Anne English School in the snow. It rarely snows in Minami
Ashigara, so when it does it`s a treat.

Denny's Minami Ashigara-ten
1005-1 Takematsu, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-72-0686
Japanese style Denny`s, not like the Denny`s of North America, but good family
restaurant food.

Grill Toshio
263 Iwahara, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-74-7396

Kadomasa Restaurant
1559 Tsukahara, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-74-3934
When I eat here I usually go for one of their juicy steaks.
I good home cooked meal can be had here. They offer North American
and Japanese style food. The beer is good and cold too!

Restaurant Jun Restaurant
2708 Tsukahara, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-74-9191

Yumean Minami Ashigara-ten Restaurant
408 Ikoma, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-73-5865

Tamura Shokudo
2659-3 Tsukahara
Located right next to Kevin`s English School Tsukahara and Merry Lue`s
General Store.
Serves typical Japanese fare like tendon, tempura and other Japanese dishes. Kind of
a local hangout. The TV is usually on and the customers seem to know each other and
the owners well. Cheap and good Japanese food.

More Restaurants in the Odawara Area

The Beer Garden in Matsuda:
I've found what is probably the only roof-top beer garden in this area. It is in Oi-machi just as you cross the Ashigara bridge from Kaisei. You'll see a Saizeria restauarant on the left and a Family Mart on the right. The beer garden is on the roof of the building behind the Family Mart.There are about 20 tables and they all afford nice views of Mt. Fuji et al. In fact, it was clear enough that I could make out the looooong line of head lamps on the climbers snaking their way up Fuji! The food is standard pub fare but I highly recommend the chicken kara-age as it is home made. In fact, the beer garden is a family business as they sat down to have dinner when things slowed down. A dai-jockey(BIG beer) goes for 700 yen and the chicken kara-age was 400 yen. Definitely a place to go to beat the summer heat! --Shawn Thir

E-Palette:
Located in the Odawara City Mall is a new internet cafe, open 24 hours. It is quite large, and each computer is in its own wooden cubicle. There are lots of computers, including some iMacs; cable TV; wall to wall Japanese comic books; play station/sega/... video games; couple 'booths'; free drinks; a food menu;... It costs 300 yen for a membership, and 1 hour is 480 yen, after that, every 15 minutes is 80 yen. From 9am to 7pm they have a 'Day Package', 980 yen for 4 hours. They also have a 'Lunch Set', 11am to 2pm,which includes your choice of one item from the menu and 1 1/2 hours for 780 yen. (I think this is only good during the week). There is also a 'Night Package', from 12 midnight to 9am, 7 hours for 1,200 yen. The phone number is 0465-46-0800. It is located on the second floor, to the right of Toys-R-Us. --Sandra Golinski

Leaf: (Internet Cafe)
I found the Internet cafe in Odawara only after I accidentally walked into the sandwhich board on the sidewalk advertising the place. It's called Leaf and it's in the building AEON used to be in. It's between Maruta Joy and Doutour Coffee. I didn't go inside since there always seems to be a catch with these cafes(ie pay some sort of membership fee). Anyway, the prices looked kind of steep. But, hey, if you're dying for Internet access, you can now get some.--Shawn Thir

Doutour:
Restaurant reviewer Yukie Miyamoto ate at Doutour with her daughter recently and this is what she had to say about the experience: My daughter and I had a light meal at the Doutour Coffee Shop in the City Mall in Kamonomiya. I ordered a cup of Cafe Latte and mydaughter ordered a cup of Royal Milk Tea and two hot dogs. All cost about 1,000 Yen. The atmosphere in the coffee shop was good and the coffee tasted good too. But the lovers beside us quarreled for a long time and that was disappointing. By Yukie Miyamoto

The Loft: (Jazz Bar and Restaurant)
There is a jazz bar in Odawara. I yearn for the days of Café Ten near Odawara castle. It was a-hole- in- the- wall that could hold maybe 20 people; just a counter and 2 tables. It was dark and smoky with the sounds of John Coltrane or Miles Davis hanging with the smoke. It was a place you could go to and stare into your drink and not have anybody bother you; a place you went to to kick back and have a moment for yourself or chat with the master as he mixed a drink. I was in there every weekend. Café Ten is gone now; I heard that the master had problems with the landlord or was looking to expand his business.

The master, by the way, is hell of a nice guy and organizes the Odawara Jazz Festival every year. This is truly a great late summer event in Odawara and I recommend going to it. Anyway, Café Ten then resurfaced in Idaoka as part of a restaurant/bar called The Loft. The master had more space for his bar and had live music but the atmosphere that Café Ten had was gone. I haven’t been to the Loft in Idaoka in a while so I don’t know if the jazz bar is still there. About 6 months ago, the master resurfaced again near Odawara station in a place called The Loft(must be a local chain), which, go figure, happens to be underground. The Loft is a 1 minute walk from the station and is beside Hashodo bookstore. While it is more of a restaurant than a bar, the master still has his stacks of jazz CDs and cooks up some great stuff. I was in there 2 weeks ago and it looks like he’s trying to revive the spirit of Café Ten. Check it out- it’s a good place to kick back and get some good food.

Bistro Be et Bo
1-4-27 Naka-cho, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-23-3087

Bistro Royal
1-11-10 Sakae-cho, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-24-2377
fax:0465-23-4928

Heart Land Club House Restaurant
552-6 Kuno, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-35-0075
This is probably the only restaurant in the area in a real log house. If you are from North America and even if you aren`t it is a special treat to be in Japan and able to sit in a log house and eat dinner. Plus the food is good and the view of the lights
of Odawara is nice. Not cheap but not too expensive either. Take some friends and
enjoy eating amongst all that beautiful wood.--Kevin Burns

Danube Restaurant
2-16-10 Hama-cho, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-23-1161
fax:0465-23-1161


Family Restaurants
Bikkuri Donkey: 2 StarsLocated: In front of the Odawara City Mall (in front of Nittori).I am almost embarrassed to say that my family and I ate at theSurprised Donkey! It was very crowded that night, and everyonewas there to take advantage of the cheap prices. Hamburger steaksets for around 6-700 Yen! The service is akin to Denny`s in Japan.The employees are overworked. If you have young children, it isa good place because you can be noisy, and the food is good enoughand cheap.

Bukkuri Donkey is located in front of Nittori at Odawara City Mall(where the Toys R Us) is located. There is a lot of parking available if you drive.

Kevin Burns

North American Restaurants

"Ｉ ｒｅｃｏｍｍｅｎｄ　ａ　ｇｏｏｄ　ｒｅｓｔａｕｒａｎｔ．
Ｔｈｅ　ｎａｍｅ　ｉｓ　　Ｓａｄｄｌｅｂａｇ．The Sｃｅｎｅｒｙ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｉｓ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｇｏｏｄ． Ｂｅｓｉｄｅｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｒｅｓｕｔａｕｒａnｔ　ｈａｓ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｈｏｒｓｅｓ． Ｗｅ　ｃａｎ　ｓｅｅ　ｔｈｅｍ． Ｉｔ`s　ｌｏｃａｔｅd　
ｏｎ　the ｏｌｄ　ｒｏａｄ　ｎｅａｒ　Mａｎａｚｕｒｕ　ｔｏｗｎ．　Ｏｗｎｅｒ　ｉｓ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｌｙ."

--Kiyomi Aihara




Saddle Back
My husband and I often ride our motorcycles into Izu on Route 135. Driving south past Hayakawa and Nebukawa stations, 'Saddle Back' isperched on a cliffside overlooking a small 'ranch' (with horses, partof their establishment) and the ocean. The interior is, as you wouldexpect, southwestern. There are about 8 tables on a balcony outside,and about 8 more inside. Gorgeous views from all tables, butespecially those on the balcony. I had beef stew, served in a largetoasted bread bowl (1365 yen). My husband had seafood curry (1155yen), and we shared two appetizers; a salad (630 yen) and a plate ofsausages (630 yen). Everything was tasty, and the prices were reasonable.Service was friendly, nothing special. The restaurant is open from11am and last order is at 8pm. They are closed on Tuesdays. They have awebsite at: www.saddle-back.com/ Their phone number is: 0465-29-0414.The restaurant is located in Odawara, just a few kilometers down thecoast. Heading south, don't take the toll roads. Actually, you can'tmiss the place. It is burnt orange and looks as if it has been air-lifted from Santa Fe. There is lots of parking, in front of therestaurant, and on the opposite side of the street. Even if you arenot hungry, stop here for drinks and the absolutely gorgeous view!

--Sandra Golinski

Times Cafe: 4 Stars (American, Italian)
The music is loud!!! The menu offers many kinds of food and drink. I like the Omukarea--Omu-rice. I add the mild curry to it and it tastes great. The meals are large so come on an empty stomach! It is on Route 74 near Anabe Station.--Naomi YamaguchiJohn Festa: 3 Stars (North American) This restaurant/bar occasionally has live bands. It has pool tables and somekaraoke rooms with hundreds of songs in English. I have sung many of them, much to the consternation of the people in theroom with me! John Festa is your basic casual burger type restaurant that serves beer, similar to those found in all the majorNorth American cities. I heard the owner frequents Vancouver, and he modelled this restaurant on the Fog & Suds and Earls--two famous restaurant chains in the Greater Vancouver area. At times you can find a Vancouverite working here. It is one of the morepopular hang outs for the local foreign crowd too. It`s a good place for a casual night out with your friends or students. It is noisy!If you want quiet go elsewhere. To get there walk straight from Odawara Station and down the street that passes the amazinglynoisy seafood shop (the one where they are always hawking their seafood at the top of their voices). Continue down this road,you will pass the Bank of Yokohama at some point and there will eventually be a narrow road to the left. You will see a pachinkoparlor on the first floor and John Festa is on the second floor. If you don`t understand these amazingly vague directions, just flagdown any local and they will point out they way, or in typical Japanese style, if you look lost enough or 'touristy' enough, theymay even walk you right to the door. It`s a nice country that way. The Japanese often go way out of their way to help foreigners,who look like they need help. --Kevin Burns Never Trust a White Russian: An Unfortunate Experience at John Festa

Suzukitei Restaurants
3075 Kaneko, Oimachi, Ashigarakami Gun, Kanagawa
0465-82-0740

The Suzukitei Restaurant in Oimachi


I had dinner at the Suzukitei Restaurant at the end of
August. I was celebrating my niece`s birthday.
It`s a steak restaurant along a local narrow road (3075 Kaneko)
connected to Route 255.

Of course we ordered steak. The chef cooked it at the
counter in front of us. It`s good we could watch how to
cook it. I had a medium steak with roasted vegetables, including
egg plant and bean sprouts.

After the meal we changed seats and we had cake and coffee
for dessert. Everything was delicious.

My dinner cost about 5,000 Yen including desert. I think
it`s a bit expensive. But this restaurant gives one a feeling
of peace. I will go back to Suzukitei.

--Yoshiko Sasaki

Cafe Ten: 2 Stars (Jazz Bar/Restaurant)
The unique thing about this Midori Cho eatery is the jazz music and the photos of Jazz musicians on the walls.It is conveniently located in front of Midori Cho Station on the Daiyuzan Line. There is quite a wide variety of food offered,but it really is more of a bar than a restaurant. Most people go there to have a drink and enjoy the taped jazz music.It is cozy and relaxing. The food is adequate but not award winning. There are various seafood dishes, hamburger steaks,and pizza to name just a few. Go there with some good friends, order a Japanese draft beer and enjoy the jazz.
--Kevin Burns

Others

The Beer Garden in Matsuda:
I've found what is probably the only roof-top beer garden in this area. It is in Oi-machi just as you cross the Ashigara bridge from Kaisei. You'll see a Saizeria restauarant on the left and a Family Mart on the right. The beer garden is on the roof of the building behind the Family Mart.There are about 20 tables and they all afford nice views of Mt. Fuji et al. In fact, it was clear enough that I could make out the looooong line of head lamps on the climbers snaking their way up Fuji! The food is standard pub fare but I highly recommend the chicken kara-age as it is home made. In fact, the beer garden is a family business as they sat down to have dinner when things slowed down. A dai-jockey(BIG beer) goes for 700 yen and the chicken kara-age was 400 yen. Definitely a place to go to beat the summer heat! --Shawn Thir

E-Palette:
Located in the Odawara City Mall is a new internet cafe, open 24 hours. It is quite large, and each computer is in its own wooden cubicle. There are lots of computers, including some iMacs; cable TV; wall to wall Japanese comic books; play station/sega/... video games; couple 'booths'; free drinks; a food menu;... It costs 300 yen for a membership, and 1 hour is 480 yen, after that, every 15 minutes is 80 yen. From 9am to 7pm they have a 'Day Package', 980 yen for 4 hours. They also have a 'Lunch Set', 11am to 2pm,which includes your choice of one item from the menu and 1 1/2 hours for 780 yen. (I think this is only good during the week). There is also a 'Night Package', from 12 midnight to 9am, 7 hours for 1,200 yen. The phone number is 0465-46-0800. It is located on the second floor, to the right of Toys-R-Us. --Sandra Golinski

Leaf: (Internet Cafe)
I found the Internet cafe in Odawara only after I accidentally walked into the sandwhich board on the sidewalk advertising the place. It's called Leaf and it's in the building AEON used to be in. It's between Maruta Joy and Doutour Coffee. I didn't go inside since there always seems to be a catch with these cafes(ie pay some sort of membership fee). Anyway, the prices looked kind of steep. But, hey, if you're dying for Internet access, you can now get some.--Shawn Thir

Doutour:
Restaurant reviewer Yukie Miyamoto ate at Doutour with her daughter recently and this is what she had to say about the experience: My daughter and I had a light meal at the Doutour Coffee Shop in the City Mall in Kamonomiya. I ordered a cup of Cafe Latte and mydaughter ordered a cup of Royal Milk Tea and two hot dogs. All cost about 1,000 Yen. The atmosphere in the coffee shop was good and the coffee tasted good too. But the lovers beside us quarreled for a long time and that was disappointing. By Yukie Miyamoto

The Loft: (Jazz Bar and Restaurant)
There is a jazz bar in Odawara. I yearn for the days of Café Ten near Odawara castle. It was a-hole- in- the- wall that could hold maybe 20 people; just a counter and 2 tables. It was dark and smoky with the sounds of John Coltrane or Miles Davis hanging with the smoke. It was a place you could go to and stare into your drink and not have anybody bother you; a place you went to to kick back and have a moment for yourself or chat with the master as he mixed a drink. I was in there every weekend. Café Ten is gone now; I heard that the master had problems with the landlord or was looking to expand his business.

The master, by the way, is hell of a nice guy and organizes the Odawara Jazz Festival every year. This is truly a great late summer event in Odawara and I recommend going to it. Anyway, Café Ten then resurfaced in Idaoka as part of a restaurant/bar called The Loft. The master had more space for his bar and had live music but the atmosphere that Café Ten had was gone. I haven’t been to the Loft in Idaoka in a while so I don’t know if the jazz bar is still there. About 6 months ago, the master resurfaced again near Odawara station in a place called The Loft(must be a local chain), which, go figure, happens to be underground. The Loft is a 1 minute walk from the station and is beside Hashodo bookstore. While it is more of a restaurant than a bar, the master still has his stacks of jazz CDs and cooks up some great stuff. I was in there 2 weeks ago and it looks like he’s trying to revive the spirit of Café Ten. Check it out- it’s a good place to kick back and get some good food.

Cafe Natural
Restaurants -Others
14-1 Sogakoumi, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-42-6706

Serves food of all kinds. A great restaurant and well worth going to. We have often
enjoyed great Christmas dinners there too.

Hawaiian

Blue Coral Reef: 4 Stars (Hawaiian and Curry)
You have to travel to this restaurant. It is located in Shonan on Route 134. It is famous throughout Kanagawa though so it is worth it! They serve and assortment of curry dishes and Hawaiian dishes. You can find it easily as they have a torch out front. Once inside, you will see the waitresses in their cute Hawaiian style clothes. The parking is limited. You may need to park on a side street.--Naomi Yamaguchi

Asian Restaurants

Shakti (Indian) 4 Stars

in the basement of Apri in downtown Odawara.

Great food! Reasonable prices.  Nice Owner!

Read More






Nikomi-tei: (Thai)


3 Stars Check out Nikomi-tei in the basement of the Orange Building across from Nak if you're interested in some spicy SE Asian cooking(no wussy Japanese curries here). While it is a tad pricey- 900 yen for a red curry(oh so coconut creamy!) set with salad and bread on the side, it's worth it! Washing it down with a Singha beer(650 yen for a 355ml bottle!), I felt like I was back on the beaches of Koh Samui.The one unusual thing about the place is that the waiter literally takes your order- you write down what you want and hand him the paper. There's no English menu but they do have a gallery of dishes on the walls outside the restaurant for you to drool over.--Shawn Thir





Gyoza-ya: (Chinese)


3 Stars Love gyoza? Want a cheap, delicious meal? In front of Kaisei station, and a bit to the left is a bright yellow building. If you look closely, in English it is called the 'Gyoza-ya'. For 800 yen, you can get a plate of 10 hot, garlicy gyoza, a bowl of Miso, a bowl of rice, and some pickled vegetables. Usually, the big screen TV is showing a sporting event (sumo, NBA basketball, etc.) or a concert from the States (jazz greats, etc.) The menu is all gyoza, but the gyoza are really good!
--Sandra Golinski




Shisen: 3 Stars


(Chinese Noodle Restaurant)I like the noodles. This restaurants' noodles are hot! But put on some vinegar and their noodles taste mild. Shisen is busy with many people waiting, so it is best to eat early. It is on Route 72 near Soga Station.--Naomi Yamaguchi





Enjoy Fukumanen's authentic dishes of Chinatown in Kamonomiya!

Unrated, please send us your rating: greatpowers at yahoo.com

Fukumanen offers Chinese dishes prepared by their
chefs from Szechwan and Shanghai.



Address


〒250-0872 神奈川県小田原市中里208 ロビンソン百貨店4F
4F Robinson Dept. Store, 208 Nakazato, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0872


How to Get There:

It is 10min by bus from JR Tokaido Honsen line Kamonomiya station, then
a 1 min walk from the Hakone Tozan Bus Dynacity stop


Phone: 0465-45-0886



Hours: 10:00～22:00(L.O.21:30)

There is no dress code, so dress as you like




* a Simplified Chinese menu is available


They accept the following credit cards:


VISA MASTER UC DC UFJ Diners Club American Express JCB

Average Meal Cost: 3000 Yen

Option


Non-smoking area available / Wheelchair accessible / All you can drink menu / All you can drink party menu

For good, cheap Chinese food, Bamiyan serves pretty good food and at pretty reasonable prices too. It is a chain.



Bamiyan Odawara Ekimae-ten
Restaurants
1-4-9 Sakae-cho, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-21-3881


Bamiyan Odawara Horinouchi-ten
Restaurants
8-3 Horinouchi, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-39-1197


Bamiyan Odawara Kamonomiya-ten
Restaurants
286-4 Nakazato, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-49-1441

Italian Restaurants

'Officina della Cuccina' CIBO & Co.

is a wonderful little Italian-style restaurant located in Odawara. Owned and run by a Japanese couple, the husband (and chef) lived overseas, and both speak very good English. I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant, but I'll try! First, the atmosphere. The restaurant is housed on the first floor of an old Meiji era building, and the couple lives upstairs. The ceiling is really high, and is an rich chocolate brown. The walls are white, covered in a handwritten English blackboard menu, and an number of old black and white photos. There are only about 4 (four person) tables, which can be split into 8 (two person) tables if necessary. A similar restaurant in Japan would put twice as many in the same space. The tables themselves are huge, as are the placemats! The next table felt so far away, it was if they weren't even there. The front of the restaurant looks out onto route 1, the view is through old, thick, blurry glass, and there are a couple of cute tables right in front, which add to the atmosphere. The care put into the decor matches that of what you'd find in Tokyo, NYC, or even Italy itself! Even the music was perfect. Classy and romantic, I do not feel like I'm in Odawara when I'm eating here!

Then, there's the food. It is incredible! There were four of us. We split two appetizers (they are quite large), ordered our own main dishes, drank two bottles of red wine, and then had coffee and dessert. The total was around 18000, or 4500 each. It was well worth the money. This is definitely not 'family restaurant' food, this is real gourmet.

The Menu:

I Antipasti (all 1300 yen)

*Appetizer Mix, Toscana Style*Mixed Organic Salad*Tomato, Mozzarella, and Prosiuto Salad*Today's Shellfish & Mixed Mushrooms w/ Garlic Butter*Steamed Mussels with Black Pepper Essence*Today's Carpaccio*Organic Veg Stick Salad w/ Anchovie Sauce*Mixed Italian Cheese

Carni e Pesci

*Grilled Rib Steak with Organic Salad 2500*Deep Stewed Beef Cheek in Sangiovese Wine 1800*Grilled Herb Marinated Organic Chicken Leg 1400*Roasted Porkloin with Marsala Wine Sauce 1800*Today's Fish Dish 1800

Pasta e Risotti (all 1500 yen)

*Organic Veg & Fresh Tomato with Spaghettini*Clam and Mussels with Spaghettini*Crab & Tomato Sauce with Bavettine*Prawn, Zucchini, & Tomato with Bavettine*Duck Ragu with Rigatoni*Fried Organic Veg & Anchovie Cream with Fusilli*Asparagus Risotto Blended w/ White Truffle Essence*Prawn & Tomato Cream Risotto*Seafood Risotto*Seafood Risotto Saffron Cream

I Dolci (desserts - all 400 yen)

*Pannacotta*Tiramisu*Baked Mascalpone Cheese Tart*Today's Ice Cream or Sherbet

There are also 'Specials' each day.

We started with the 'Appetizer Mix Toscana Style' and 'Tomato, Mozzarella, and Prosiuto Salad', both of which were delicious. I had the roasted porkloin, which came with vegetables, was huge, and it melted in my mouth. The fish of the day was sea bream, it also came with vegetables, and was incredible! One of us had the organic veg & fresh tomato with spaghettini, a large delicious portion. And, the prawn, zucchini, and tomato with bavettine (a pasta similar to fetticine), also wonderful, and with a spicy 'kick'! Desserts and coffees, all wonderful as well. I really didn't need the dessert, I was so full from the meal. Luckily, if you can't eat all your food, asking for a 'to-go' bag is not a problem. Also, unlike many Japanese restaurants, if you have a special order (no onions, extra spicy, whatever) the chef will be happy to accomodate you.

House Wine is 500 a glass, 1500 a decanter, and 2500 a bottle. It is South African, and is very tasty. If you don't want the 'house', there is a selection of other wines to choose from.CIBO & Co. is open from 12:00 to 14:00, and 18:00 to 22:00, last order is at 21:00. They are closed on Thursday, and the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

The lunch menu is a selection of meals from the dinner menu.

CIBO & Co. is located at 3-2-53 Minami-cho, Odawara. Pass Gusto on Route 1, it is just before the 'Hayakawa-guchi' signal (and the Tokaido Line tracks) if you are heading toward Hakone. Or, heading from the castle through the new tunnel, turn left at the 'Hayakawa-guchi' signal, and it will be on your right just one block down. There are a couple of parking spaces behind the restaurant. Their phone number is: 0465-24-3552

I would not recommend this restaurant for small children. But, for anyone who wants an incredible meal, in a fantastic atmosphere, CIBO & Co. is the place to go!

--Sandra Golinski



Merry Lue`s General Store

Merry Lue`s General Store
in Minami Ashigara, ten minutes from Odawara Station on the Daiyuzan Line sells books in English and Japanese, games and hobby items, toys, used clothes, antiques and more. Visit us at our address: 2659-4 Tsukahara, Minami Ashigara Shi (across from the FujiSupa) near Iiwahara and Tsukahara Stations, or shop online at the link above.

Galileo's

is a new Italian restaurant in the Robinson's Mall. It islocated on the top floor, just to the right as you come up theescalators located at the very front of the building. Galileo's is a REAL Italian restaurant. The owner is Galileo Savanstano, fromNapoli. He recently moved to Odawara with his Japanese wife. He hada restaurant in Tokyo for a number of years and he runs an Italianimport/export business. This restaurant is his new hobby!

During Golden Week, Galileo had a good friend of his here from Italy,one of the chefs of a professional Italian racing team. He wascooking up all kinds of delicious authentic Italian dishes. Otherstaff members were also visiting from Italy. Even without the special chef, everything is always delicious. The regular Japanese chef studied in Italy for three years. And, Galileo is always there to make sure everything comes out the way he knows it should be.Prices are reasonable and there is a good selection of dishes.

Japanese Italian restaurants are pretty good. I have eaten at the other one in Robinsons (located on the same floor, in the very front of the building) a number of times. But, if you really want anItalian 'experience', go to Galileo's. Galileo welcomes every guestwith a smile and a smattering of Italian and Japanese (he speaks someEnglish as well). He glides among the tables making small talk andmaking sure everything is just right. He makes a delicious cup of real Italian espresso, and the Capri 'Lemoncello' liquor isabsolutely delicious.

I was in Italy for spring break for my honeymoon. Eating at Galileo's takes me back there. Unbeatable hospitality, a warm atmosphere, and authentic Italian food. I strongly recommend you try it (tell him Sandra sent you!)

Telephone: 0465-48-2699

--Sandra Isaka

Majeru
is an Italian restaurant located near the Kaisei- Minamiashigara border, just before Denny's, on the road leading from Matsuda (across the Ashigara-ohashi). It is on the 2nd floor just above a small car dealership, across from the new 'self-serve' gas station.

Lunch is from 11am to 2pm, dinner is from 5pm to 11pm. There is enough seating for about 30 people, and there is a nice view of Fuji and the Hakone mountains (on a clear day). There is also a large parking area.

There are lunch specials daily, which I strongly recommend. The appetizers are fantastic! Especially the miniature bread bowlfilled with melted cheese. The pastas are also very nice, and are reasonably priced. Majieru has an upbeat atmosphere, with English 'pop' music always playing in the background. The staff is friendly and efficient.Alcohol is available (beer, coctails, whiskey, wine,...). Majieru is especially good for hosting events. They have a number ofavailable 'plans':

*Daytime Plan: Salad, Pizza, Pasta, Dessert, and and refillable soft drinks for 1 hour. 2:30 to 4pm (not on Sundays or holidays). Use of the karaoke machine,... For 15 people or more, at 2000 yen each.

*Gurume Plan: Soup, Appetizer (5 different 'items'), salad, pizza, beef stew, pasta, dessert, and a drink service?? for 10 people or more at 3500 per person.

*There are other plans to choose from as well, some include alcohol. You can also put together your own plan!

There telephone number is: 0465-82-0335 Reviewed by Sandra GolinskiNow that you have heard Sandra`s take on Minami Ashigara`s Villa de Pizza! Here iswhat Ryoji Abe had to say about the same eatery:

"Majeal is located in Minami Ashigara City near the Takematsu Cross Road. Once youget to the cross road just ask anyone around, and they can point you to the restaurant.

I go to Majeal 5-6 times a year. I usually order a pepperoni pizza, a large as it tastesso good! Frankly I enjoy their pizzas so much I rarely order anything else, though I`msure they are very good too! (I confess I am not brave enough to choose anything else).

You don`t need to make reservations, just go and enjoy some great Italian food!

Cost: 4.5/5 starsFood: 4.5/5 stars"--Ryoji Abe

The Grazie Italian Restaurant in Odawara

by Tomohiro I.

Grazie Gardens Odawara-ten
Restaurants
3-5-13 Ogi-cho, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-30-1280

My wife and I had dinner at the Grazie restaurant last month. It`s anItalian restaurant. We ordered a bottle of wine, pizza, pasta, fried squid, and asalad. The food was good! The bill was cheap too--it came to only about 25 dollarsUS.

I`ll go back to this restaurant in April

Cost: 4/5Food: 3/5

Italy-Tei:
4 Stars (Italian) Etsuko Yoshida also reviewed Italy-Tei and it became her favourite restaurant! It is across thestreet from Odawara City Mall in Kamonomiya, Odawara. It is reasonably priced and they serve pizza, pasta, and delicousand cheap cake--only 300 Yen a piece! I recommend the salmon roe spaghetti. It is cute inside and a peaceful, relaxing placeto eat.--Yumiko Takeuchi

Ninikuya
3.5 Stars (Italian and others)This restaurant has a very friendly, high energy staff. They great you at the door with a hearty welcome, and thewaiters and waitresses are blessed with pleasant, gregarious personalities. They are free with their advice on howto add syrup to their unique dish of fresh baked bread, butter and syrup. The offer a range of Italian dishes andfood from other nations. Go there for the atmosphere. It is a fun place for a birthday party, and you can take in amovie at the Virgin Cinemas next door if you go early enough. It is located on a small square--a rarity in Japan.Close your eyes and imagine you are in Europe or in the old town of a North American city.Between Robinsons and the Odawara City Mall. Ample parking available.

Macaroni Market:
3 Stars (Italian)The employees are very kind at this Italian restaurant. Their is no mild food here, the food tastes strong. The atmosphere isgood with a huge variety of people coming to savour the good food: older folks, children adults, and young people. It is located onRoute 1 near Kozu.--Naomi Yamaguchi

Other thoughts on Macaroni Market
Address: Route 1 at Sakawa in Odawara

I had dinner at this Italian restaurant with 3 friends last
week. It has an open kitchen and a pizza oven.

We ordered a pizza for two, spaghetti for 2 and a macaroni
salad. For dessert, I had pumpkin cake and coffee.
We paid 12,000 Yen. I`d go back to Macaroni Market.

--Kaori Yoshimura

Pizaro:
(Italian) Located at 3-21-11 Minami Kamonomiya is a little'Italian Bistro' - Pizaro. It is open from 11:30am to 10:30pm, and closes on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. The lunches here are incredible! Huge, western sized portions! Lunch is from 11:30 to 3:00, and you can choose from about 10 different selections. My favorite is the 'chicken-cheese yaki'. A huge breaded breast of chicken covered in cheese and browned, served with marinara sauce, rice, salad, and a drink. All for 980 yen. Other choices include hamburger-steak, spagetti, cream pilaf, Japanese risotto, and more. The atmosphere is 'cool', and everyone is friendly. I imagine dinners are great too. Located on the same road that dead ends at the McDonalds on Route 1, it is near a 7-11 and a big 'Hon-ten' chain restaurant. The phone number is 48-3958.--Sandra Golinski

Uronya:
4 Stars (Italian)It's a small restaurant and it has a familial character. I love the anchovi bread! It is near Odawara Station.

Roa:
5 Stars (Italian) By far the best Italian restaurant in Odawara, Roa is also convenient and reasonable. The staff is also extremely nice,patient, and helpful! A 10 minute walk from the station, it is located on the same street as Tozan Supermarket, McDonalds, and the mainbridge into Odawara Castle. If you are walking toward the Castle, it is on a corner, on the right side, just a little bit before the castle groundsbegin. I would strongly recommend the 'Pasta Course'. It is 2200 yen and includes a fantastic appetizer, salad, your choice of pasta, coffee or tea, and your choice of dessert. I've never had a pasta here that I didn't like, but my personal favorite is the cannoloni. Large, long pasta tubes filled with spinach and meat, topped with a delicious marinara sauce and melted cheese. The desserts are also incredible. They change daily, and are accented with beautiful, edible flower pedals! For red wine drinkers, it is one of the only places in Odawara where the wine is room temperature, as it should be! There are other 'courses' available, and you can order 'ala cart' as well. Roa is open from 11am to a last order at 8:30pm (but, they give you as much time as you need to finish). They are closed on Monday. The phone number is 0465-23-4236. For a guaranteed fantastic dinner, Roa is the place to go!
--Sandra Golinski

"HI Mike,
Personally, I like CIBO better. It is not necessarily romantic, but it is a
better and more chic restaurant IMHO. Roa is nice too, but a little more typical
Italian-Japanese type restaurant. Occasionally CIBO is reserved for special
events - so if you really want to go, you should reserve. the owners speak
relatively good English and are sooo nice.
Bon appetit,
--Kirsten (Originally posted at the Odawara Bulletin Board)

For very cheap Italian food and a drink bar you can get no cheaper than Gusto or
Saizeria which are both chains which specialize in cheap yet edible Italian food.
Saizeria is located at the Oimachi side of Minami Ashigara Big Bridge (Minami
Ashigara O`hashi).

Gusto Kouzu-ten
Restaurants
3-18-12 Koyawata, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-45-1580

Gusto Odawara Kuwabara-ten
Restaurants
183-3 Kuwabara, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-39-1470

Gusto Odawara Minami-ten
Restaurants
2-2-60 Minami-cho, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-21-1481

French Restaurants

Akai Ringo
Restaurants
152-1 Kayama, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-36-8773

The food is great. This restaurant isn`t cheap but for a very good meal in
very pleasant surroundings. I recommend it! --Kevin

L`Amour
Restaurants
139-1 Maekawa, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-45-5560

The Fujiya Hotel (French)
Located in Hakone area. I stayed at the Fujiya Hotel in Miyanoshita as well last year and it was great. Lots of history in that place. What I found kind of weird was that even though the hotel is in the middle of nowhere, everyone spoke English. I didn't expect that. Aside from that, I blew a ton of yen on the French dinner and wine in the great dinning hall and thoroughly enjoyed the meal(I should have brushed up on my formal dinner etiqutte, though). What I really liked was the private hotspring you can reserve(I think it is called the Mermaid Bath). I believe it is something like 2000 yen for 40 minutes. The garden out back is great, too and the cherry blossoms around the hotel would be something to see. By the way, has the hotel finished repairs to the section that had a fire a few weeks ago? --Shawn Thir

On the Fujiya Hotel (French) Did you know that the Fujiya Hotel chain runs a great special only for foreigners!? The Fujiya Hotel in Miyanoshita, Hakone is 122 years old, and is a lovely place. On weekdays and Sunday, they offer a twin room for only US $122(Additional $50 on Saturday). That breaks down to about 7500 yen per person, to stay at a magnificent hotel! (No meals included). The offer also applies at 'The Hakone Hotel' on the edge of Lake Ashi (a VERY expensive place); 'The Fuji-View Hotel' on Lake Kawaguchi; and 'The Yamanakako Hotel'. I stayed at the Miyanoshita Fujiya on a Friday. It really felt like I had stepped back into the past. I swam in the indoor heated swimming pool, took more than one dip in the onsen, strolled through the manicured grounds, ate scones in a small tearoom overlooking a lovely garden, had drinks in the lounge of yesteryear, and splurged on a fancy dinner in the gorgeous dining room. There is even an outdoor pool in the summer!It is a really good deal. Oh! Japanese are welcome at the same price, if they accompany a foreigner! If they are alone, prices start around 20000 per person! Call the Fujiya Hotel at 0460-2-2211, in English or Japanese, for more details. --Sandra Golinski

L'Escailler: (French)

L'escailler
Restaurants -Others
1-6-1 Shiroyama, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-35-2335
A very good French restaurant.

L'Ecailler is located at 1-6-1 Shiroyama, Odawara City, just outside and to the left of Odawara Station, the Shinkansen side. This is not your standard restaurant, this is a place to go for a dining 'experience'. There isn't a typical menu, just a few 'sets'. The least expensive dinner set is 3000 yen. Depending on your tastes, there are other sets at 4000, 5000,... Sounds expensive, right?! Well, you get what you pay for. We chose the 3000 yen set. It included two pre-determined appetizers (both fantastic); freshly baked bread with real butter;, for an extra 500 yen, we included a delicious Gobo soup; a choice from 2 mains (on the night we went, mutton or fish - I had the mutton, my friend the fish, both melted in our mouths); dessert; and coffee or tea. The food was beautifully presented, unique, and incredibly delicious. The service was also inpeccable, we were never rushed, never waited for our food, and everything came out at the temperature it was supposed to be. It took us about 2 hours to finish our meals, and we were very satisfied. During coffee, the chef came to our table to ask us if we had any questions about the food we had eaten, or if we had any comments. It was a nice touch. I will definitely be eating there again in the future. L'Ecailler is open from 11:30am to 3:30pm, and again from 5:30pm to 10:00pm. They are closed on Sunday. Their telephone number is 0465-35-2335. Wedding parties, etc. are often held here, so you might want to call ahead, just in case.
--Sandra Golinski

Bistro Be et Bo
1-4-27 Naka-cho, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-23-3087

Bistro Royal
Restaurants -Others
1-11-10 Sakae-cho, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-24-2377
fax:0465-23-4928


Crazy Crepes in Odawara`s Robinson Shopping Mall in Kamonomiya
208 Nakazato, Odawara City, Kanagawa
tel:0465-47-3260
Crazy Crepes

Japanese Restaurants

Hoyu: 4.5 Stars A little secret is that Hoyu really is just as delicious as Nazuna. Hoyu also serves great Japanese food and is located near Sagami Numata Station across from the Sotetsu Rosen Supermarket in Minami Ashigara City. --by Atsuko Tsunashima Kasen: 4 Stars


Kasen is located near Tsukahara Station on the Daiyuzan Linein Minami Ashigara City. Leave Tsukahara Station, get onto the main road and go right down the main road over the bridge. Keep going straight until you come to another small bridge, and turn left at the foot of the bridge. Go down the narrow road next to the river and you will see a very small restaurant--Kasen, on your left. Kasen is delightful because they serve their very own, original Japanese food. --by Atsuko Tsunashima

Nazuna: 4.5 Stars In Tomizu, Odawara. It is near Odawara Arena on the border of Hotaruda and Tomizu.I love Japanese food and Nazuna is the best in our old castle town. Why is it tops in my opinion? I think itmight be because they only use fruits and vegetables in season, and the food they serve is not only delicious,it looks beautiful too.--by Atsuko TsunashimaSagamino, an Udon Restaurant in Odawaraby Akihiko Kaneko

I had lunch in the Sagamino Restaurant last weekend. I ordered the donburiand udon set. This set included udon and tempura don, as well as a green salad.It cost about 800 Yen. In the childen`s menu, the meals are very cheap, only about200 Yen! I rate this restaurant as good.

Food and Cost: 3/5 Stars

Hosaka is located in downtown Odawara, near Odawara Station.

Just wanted to give you a head's up on the restaurant. Hosaka is a very nice yakiniku restaurant with high quality beef, but like most yakiniku places it's not cheap. The dinner will be 3000 yen. Drinks are additional. We should get a delicious meal and good service for that amount. Just wanted to let you know how much to expect to pay on our fantastic night out!

• \4,000 ave for dinner
• (lunch:\1,000Yen

焼肉 穂坂 小田原店
Category	Grilled meat/organs, Yakiniku (Grilled meat)
Address	B1, 1F, 1-14-56, Sakaecho, Odawara-shi, Kanagawa, 250-0011 Map
Access	JROdawara StationThe east exit 3-minute walk
OPEN	Lunch 11:30-14:30 (14:00) Dinner 17:00-23:00 (22:00)
CLOSE	On Monday (in the case of a holiday, I take a rest on Tuesday, the following day)
Phone	0465-23-4129

Shochiko: 4.5 Stars Located near Odawara Arena along the road parallel with the Odakyu line, Shochiku is a great okonomiyaki restaurant. If you head along to road from Odawara Arena towards Kayama Stn., Shochiku is right beside the first Family Mart you come across.At this shop, you don't make the okonomiyaki yourself. However, the servings are big and the prices cheap. I recommend the negi-yaki.--Masako ThirSuzuhiro, one of Odawara's famous kamaboko shop hasopened up a new cafe with a concept of slow-food in Daikanyama,Shibuya, TOKYO.

The URL is:http://www.fish-cake.com/index.html

Menu lineups:http://www.fish-cake.com/menu.html

Location map:http://www.fish-cake.com/shop.html

--Takuya Misawa

Horumon Bar Genmaru

I had supper at the Horumon Bar Genmaru with a friend two
weeks ago. It is a hormon and motsunabe bar. It is near
Kamonomiya Station on the Tokaido Line (one stop from
Odawara Station). I like hormon foods very much.

I ordered a hoppy and hormon and Japanese motsunabe steak.
Our meals came to a total of 6,500 Yen. I`d go back to
Genmaru.

--Tomohiro Ogawa

Kurawanka

Kurawanka Homepage

Is a very nice Izakaya. The interior is very beautiful, and hints at traditional Japan
but with a modern ambience and flare.

Beer and good Japanese food, and a party atmosphere is what Kurawanka is all about.
Located in downtown Odawara near the station.