Your Essential Travel Guide!
Delicious Gourmets at Odakyu Department Store & Beautiful Enoshima
All Starts From Shinjuku Tokyo!!
What can be happier than having delicious food on your trip? Especially in Japan, food are always made with fresh and high quality ingredients, it just makes your trip even better!
Tired of crowded cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto? So do you know about Enoshima?
Enoshima is a popular tourist destination near Tokyo. It just takes about an hour by train to get there. If you familiar with the Japanese comics and animation "Slam Dunk", then you should have heard about Enoshima!! With the beautiful landscapes and sea, Enoshima is a perfect destination for a day trip.
Today, we want to give you some great tips for your Enoshima trip!! Let's go!
What's Your Choice??
Glamorous and thrilling adventures in the cities /
Beautiful mountains and sea in nature
In fact, many tourists will come to visit bustling areas of Tokyo or Osaka first, but they also spend a couple days to take a short trip to places near the cities. Actually even the Japanese also love to take a short trip during the weekend to get away from the cities and relax themselves.
Starting Point - Shinjuku Station
An area that never sleeps
Do you know that Shinjuku Station holds a Guinness record that it is the world's busiest station! An average of 3.64 million passengers per day pass through this station!! Many trains pass through Shinjuku station, for examples JR Lines, Odakyu Lines, Keio Lines, Toei Lines, and Tokyo Metro Lines. From the south exit, you can also find the new bus terminal where 1,600 buses departures from this terminal everyday.
From Shinjuku to Enoshima, the most comfortable and easiest way is to take the Odakyu Romance Car.
Why is Odakyu Romance Car Special?
Reason 1
Direct train can take you to Enoshima in just 63 minutes!
Even you can still take the JR lines (Tokaido, Shonan Shinjuku, Ueno, Tokyo) or the Odakyu Express train to go to Katase-Enoshima Station, there may be chances that you need to make one stop at Fujisawa Station and transfer to the Enoden to get to Katase-Enoshima Station.
Note: Please check the Romance Car's schedule for the direct train to Katase-Enoshima.
*Shinjuku Station -> Katase-Enoshima Station = 1,210 yen one way (express extra fee + fare)
Reason 2
You can enjoy the beautiful views just outside the windows. If you can get the seats in the front or the back, you can have a great view right in front of you. Tips to be able to get these seats? Please make
Reason 3
If you are travelling with your family and friends in a group, you can turn the seat and make a small cabinet for yourselves! Chat with your friends while watching the beautiful views outside, how nice is that!
About Odakyu Romance Car
(Left) Odakyu Line Shinjuku Station Entrance
(Right) Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center inside the station
Leaflet in different languages (Left) and staff who can speak different languages (Right) are available!
Actually you can also purchase your ticket online. This time, we get our tickets at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center which is opened especially for tourists. Of course you can buy the Romance Car tickets here. You are welcome to ask any questions about travelling in Japan and different kinds of leaflets are available here too.
Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center
Address: 1F, West exit of Odakyu Shinjuku Station
Tel.: 03-5321-7887
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 18:00
Homepage: http://www.odakyu.jp/english/center/
Reservation Page: http://www.odakyu.jp/english/romancecar/e_romancecar/
Now you got the tickets, so how should we spend the remaining time before getting on the train??
There is something that we cannot miss for your trip in Japan!! What is that??
That is..........the famous Japanese lunch boxes!! I bet you must have seen all kinds of lunch boxes in stations and on platforms. Actually for long distance travel, it is common for Japanese to get a nice lunch box and eat on the train later. This kind of lunch box culture is very special, right?
Lunch boxes made with local ingredients and designs can be found in different places. Check out shops that sell lunch boxes next time. You may find something really special!
(Left) Lunch Box from Hyogo Prefecture: Octopus on rice （ひっぱりだこ飯, Bippari Tako Gohan）
(Center) Lunch Box from Mie Prefecture: Beef on rice (松阪名物モー太郎弁当, Matsuzaka Meibutsu Mo-Taro Bento)
(Right) Lunch Box from Gunma Prefecture: Chicken and local vegetables on rice (だるま弁当, Daruma Bento)
Actually you don't have to travel too far, you can find special and delicious lunch boxes right in Shinjuku!!
Odakyu Department Store Shinjuku
Just two floors below the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center where you get your Romance Car tickets, you can find the supermarket and food floor of Odakyu Department Store. You will be surprised by the variety of lunch boxes and food they sell there!!
If you have difficulties in choosing a lunch box that you want, don't worry, we have a few great suggestions for you! Just follow us!!
Odakyu Department Store Shinjuku
Address: 1-1-3, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Tel.: 03-3342-1111
Hours:
10:00 - 20:30 (close at 20:00 every Sunday)
10:00 - 21:00 (Main Building 10th Floor)
※10:00 - 20:30 (close at 20:00 every Sunday) for the Artwork Department on 10th Floor
Restaurant District Odakyu Manhattan Hills
Hours:
11:00 - 22:30 (Main Building 13th and 14th Floors)
11:00 - 22:00 (Main Building 12th Floor)
Homepage: Official English Homepage
Homepage: Official English Homepage
Main Dish Battle!!
You prefer meat or seafood??
I know it is a really hard choice for you to make since Japanese beef and seafood are both famous for their freshness and tastes!!
Let's take a look of the beef lunch boxes first!!
Look carefully! It is not just any kinds of beef, it is the famous Japanese beef (和牛, Wagyu）! Of course high-quality beef can be found in high-class stores like Odakyu Department Store!!
Among all kinds of Wagyu lunch boxes, the lunch boxes with beef from Yamagata Prefecture and Yonezawa caught our attention!! Wagyu is famous for the softness and their texture, it cannot be compared with the beef rice bowl from chain stores like Yoshinoya (吉野家) or Matsuya (松屋).
Aji No Ume Bachi (味 の 梅 ば ち)
Address: B2, Odakyu Department Store
Yamagata Beef Lunch Box: 1,512 yen, tax included
Yonezawa Beef Lunch Box: 1,836 yen, tax included
Don't make your decision too early! Let's take a look of the fresh seafood lunch boxes too!!
With different kinds of fresh seafood like fish, crabs, shrimps etc on top of rice, these lunch boxes are just TOO AMAZING AND DELICIOUS!!
Same as the beef lunch boxes, the volume of the seafood on rice are unbelievable too! Just about 1,600 yen, you can try many kinds of seafood and fish in one lunch box. Very nice deal! Oh by the way, scallop and sea urchins are also used! Wow!
Nemuro Sugiyama Fisheries（根室杉山水産）
Address: B2, Odakyu Department Store
3 Types Mixed Lunch Box: 1,620 yen, tax included
Just beside the seafood rice bowl shop, you can also find another shop selling sushi box with fresh fish and seafood too! Freshness is guaranteed as said by the chef!!
Sanmatsu Sushi (三 松 寿司)
Address: B2, Odakyu Department Store
(Left): Premium Tuna Sushi Set （本まぐろトロずくし寿司）: 1,700 yen, tax included
(Center and Right): Tuna Sushi Set （本まぐろトロ入り上にぎり寿司）: 1,350 yen, tax included
Okay, ready to make your choice now??
Looking for something simple and healthy?
What about the honey taste like California rolls?
Just like the California roll, you can find many different kinds of sushi roll here. Like sushi rolls with salmon and cheese, tuna, squid etc. This is definitely a great menu for those who prefer healthy food.
I think the great thing about these sushi rolls is that they taste like salad, so it is especially nice for those who want something simple. Especially great for the ladies!
Pick the sushi rolls that you like!!
(Left) Sea Urchin Seafood Sushi Roll
(Right) Eel Sushi Roll
(Left) Salmon Trout Cheese Sushi Roll
(Right) Sinkko Plum Sushi Roll
(Left) Flatfish Sushi Roll
(Right) California Sushi Roll
(Left) Grilled Salmon Belly Sushi Roll
(Right) Pike fish Sushi Roll
(Left) Seasoned deep-fried tofu pockets with rice
(Right) Curry flavored deep-fried tofu pockets with rice
Mito Wushu Taku (味 燈 守 卓)
Address: B2, Odakyu Department Store
Prices: 432 yen, tax included
Dessert Time!
Baumkuchen (German variety of spit cake)
Speaking of dessert, ice cream or sweet cakes may come to your mind; however, we want to show you something that is not too sweet and different.
Sliced Baumkuchen looks like tree rings, so its name literally translates to "tree cake". It is a traditional pastry of many European countries and a popular snack and dessert in Japan. (Information from wikipedia)
This roll cake is actually made by layer after layer. A typical baumkuchen is made up of 15 to 20 layers of batter! The last step is to apply sugar glaze on the cake and wait until it's dried.
In Japan, baumkuchen is a popular snack and souvenir for all ages!!
As you have known, Japanese is good at bringing in their sense of taste into food. So this German originated cake is added with new ideas, and one of the famous baumkuchen shop must be CLUB HARIE.
Great Ideas For Souvenirs!
01. Baumkuchen in Gift Boxes
They come in different sizes with nice wrapping and gift boxes.
Large Size: 2,160 yen, tax included
Middle Size: 1,620 yen, tax included
Small Size: 1,080 yen, tax included
02. Mega Size Baumkuchen (Whole Cake)
It is great for party use! Please note that you need to make a reservation 5 days prior to your pick up day!
Price: 19,440 yen, tax included
03. Mini Size and Odakyu Department Store Limited Package
This size is the best for snacks! If you want something more special, you can choose the Odakyu Department Store Limited Package.
Mini Size Baumkuchen: 410 yen, tax included
Odakyu Department Store Limited Package: 1,620 yen, tax included
How about getting a few pieces for yourself to eat on your way to Enoshima?
CLUB HARIE
Address: B2, Odakyu Department Store
(Left) Dried Baumkuchen (2 packs) 756 yen, tax included
(Right) Baumkuchen (10 pieces): 1,188 yen, tax included, (20 pieces): 2,160 yen, tax included
Now you got the food! Let's get going!!
Let's get on the Odakyu Romance Car!!
There are 4 types of Romance Car in total. This time, we will take the 6th generation of the classic type EXE (model 30000).
Spaces between rows are pretty big, so you can sit comfortably during the ride. As we have mentioned, you can turn around the seats to make a small cabinet with 4 seats with your family and friends!
Before you start your big meal, you can pull out the folding table from the armrests. Now you are ready for the lunch box!!
While you are having the delicious lunch box and enjoying the beautiful views outside the train, in just about an hour, Romance Car takes you from the busy Shinjuku to Enoshima.
Things to see in Enoshima
Spring: Pink tulips, Greenery in Enoshima, Seasonal fresh fish
Summer: Fireworks, Festivals,
Autumn: Amazing sunset, Surfing Time
Winter: Enoshima Observatory Light Up, View of Mt. Fuji in snow
Point I
Sea that you cannot see in Tokyo!
It is convenient to come to Enoshima from Tokyo to see this beautiful sea!
Highly recommended for those who need a relaxing time!
Point II
There are many natural sightseeing spots in Enoshima indeed. For example, the Enoshima temple, Enoshima Candle (Observatory), New Enoshima Aquarium etc, you can find sightseeing spots mixed with traditional and modern Japan!
Point III
Animation and movie shooting spots!
There are many Japanese movies and animation used Enoshima as their background because of the beautiful nature!
Point IV
Other famous sightseeing spots near Enoshima.
Just take the Enoden, you can even travel to Hakone too. Also, Kamakura is very close to Enoshima too!
Odakyu Department Store
Great place for nice restaurants and gourmet!
Just above and across the Shinjuku station, Odakyu Department Store is a one stop for shopping and dining. After reading our sharing today, we hope that you have discovered a new floor (B2) of this famous department store where you can get all kinds of delicious food, lunch boxes and souvenirs!!
Hope that you will have a nice and yummy trip in Enoshima very soon! Odakyu Department Store and Romance Car are looking forward to seeing you!!
Odakyu Department Store Shinjuku
Address: 1-1-3, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Tel.: 03-3342-1111
Hours:
10:00 - 20:30 (close at 20:00 every Sunday)
10:00 - 21:00 (Main Building 10th Floor)
※10:00 - 20:30 (close at 20:00 every Sunday) for the Artwork Department on 10th Floor
Restaurant District Odakyu Manhattan Hills
Hours:
11:00 - 22:30 (Main Building 13th and 14th Floors)
11:00 - 22:00 (Main Building 12th Floor)
Homepage: Official English Homepage
Homepage: Official English Homepage
More detailed shopping guide of Odakyu Department Store:
# Shopping ♪ One Stop Shopping Experience! Odakyu Department Store Shinjuku
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