The shopping district “Odawara Ekimae Merchants Association” near the east exit of Odawara Station (Sakae-cho, Odawara City) switched the electricity used for streetlights and other purposes to renewable energy starting in September. It has become a city-registered achievement business establishment that uses 100% renewable energy for its electricity consumption and has put up stickers on the streets to promote the initiative.
The switch involved…
Odawara Ekimae Merchants Association
The Odawara Ekimae Merchants Association is a collective of local businesses operating near Odawara Station, which has been a major transit hub for centuries. The association itself was formed to promote the commercial district that historically served travelers and pilgrims visiting nearby Hakone and the Odawara Castle.
Odawara Station
Odawara Station is a major railway hub in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, serving as the primary gateway to the Hakone hot spring resort area. Historically, the city of Odawara was a critical post town on the Tōkaidō road during the Edo period, and the station’s location reflects this long-standing role as a transportation center.
Sakae-cho
Sakae-cho is a common place name in many Japanese cities, most famously a central commercial and entertainment district in Nagoya. Historically, the area developed as a merchant hub and was largely destroyed during World War II, but was rebuilt into a modern downtown area known for its shopping, department stores, and vibrant nightlife.
Odawara City
Odawara City is a historic coastal city in Kanagawa Prefecture, best known for the ruins of Odawara Castle, which served as a powerful stronghold for the Hojo clan during the Sengoku period. Today, the reconstructed castle keep is a major tourist attraction and symbol of the city, which also serves as the western gateway to the Hakone hot spring region.
