Craft Beer Tourism in Japan- Hakone Beer, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture

The area named Kazamatsuri, which has a somewhat auspicious connotation in Japanese, is located in western Kanagawa Prefecture, approximately midway between Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto. Kazamatsuri Station on the Hakone Tozan Line is the second stop from Odawara Station and is adjacent to "Kamaboko no Sato," operated by Suzuhiro. Due to its convenient access, this destination attracts many visitors. Kamaboko no Sato offers souvenir shops, hands-on kamaboko-making experiences, and various dining establishments, including the craft beer brewery "Hakone Beer," which is served at the on-site café "Cafe107" and the buffet restaurant "Erenna Gosso."

Hakone Beer (Cafe107)
Address: 245 Kazamatsuri, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Traveling by car from Odawara toward Hakone-Yumoto, you'll find Kamaboko no Sato extending on both sides of the road past the Higashi-Kazamatsuri intersection. This section of National Route 1, also part of the Hakone Ekiden race route, narrows to a single lane each way, but remains bustling with pedestrians on sunny days. The area features attractions like a café housed in a repurposed vintage train car and a traditional storehouse-style soba restaurant, offering entertainment for visitors of all ages.

The train car-turned-café, known as Cafe107, is where you can enjoy Hakone Beer. The interior of this former Hakone Tozan Railway car serves as the dining area, where patrons can savor craft beer and light meals purchased from the adjacent building's counter. Inside, you'll find displays of malt and certificates from the Japan Brewers Cup, reflecting Hakone Beer's dedication to quality.

On this visit, I purchased bottled "Odawara Ale" and "Kazamatsuri Stout" to take home. Behind Cafe107 is the buffet restaurant "Erenna Gosso," which becomes particularly crowded during weekend lunch hours. Upon entering, you're greeted by a prominent craft beer tap at the counter, emphasizing their promotion of Hakone Beer. With convenient access via public transportation and proximity to tourist spots in western Kanagawa, Kamaboko no Sato offers a relaxed setting to enjoy beer and meals.

Hakone Beer Craft beer tourism based in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Starting your craft beer tourism in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, you can also visit "Odawara Garage Brewing," approximately a 10-15 minute drive away. This brewery is about a one-minute walk from Midoricho Station on the Daiyuzan Line of the Hakone Tozan Railway. Continuing along National Route 1 toward Hakone leads you to the Gora area, home to GORA BREWERY, acclaimed as Hakone's first craft beer brewery. Their affiliated establishments include "GORA BREWERY BEER BAR," "GORA BREWERY & GRILL," and near Hakone-Yumoto Station, the "GORA BREWERY PUBLIC HOUSE," where you can enjoy their renowned craft beers.