Experience Real-Life Relocation to Odawara! Attend an Interactive Seminar Featuring Firsthand Stories from Resident Movers

For those who wish to keep their current job but live in a place closer to nature.

Odawara City is hosting a relocation seminar titled 'Keep Working in Tokyo, Move to Odawara: A Just-Right Migration for Work and Life,' focusing on 'living in Odawara while commuting to Tokyo and Yokohama' to showcase the city’s appeal.

Deciding to relocate requires a clear image of daily life. This seminar welcomes three experienced relocating families as guest speakers—residents who moved to Odawara but continue commuting to central Tokyo. They will share firsthand experiences about commuting realities and lifestyle changes before and after relocation.

We will also introduce daily and weekend life in Odawara from both perspectives: what has changed and what has stayed the same—allowing you to maintain your current job and social connections. This is a rare opportunity to visualize what life in Odawara truly looks like. ※ Online participation is available.

Attendees can listen to stories from three pioneering residents who have maintained urban connections in work and personal life after moving. There will be time for direct Q&A—online participants can ask questions via chat!

Additionally, after the seminar, individual consultation sessions with city staff will be held (on-site participants only, first-come, first-served basis)!

✅ Those concerned about living in Odawara while keeping their current job

✅ Those who want to hear real voices from residents who commute to the city

✅ Those wondering if they can relocate without giving up friendships or hobbies

✅ Those looking to upgrade their lifestyle

Come hear insights you can’t get anywhere else and experience the charm of life in Odawara!

Program in two parts:

💡 Part 1: Guest Speaker Talk Session (On-site & Online) 💡 Part 2: Free Talk with Speakers (On-site only)

[Date & Time]

July 5 (Sun) 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

[Venue]

＜On-site Participation＞

Furusato Kaiki Support Center

(Seminar Room B, 8th Floor, Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan, 2-10-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

※ Capacity: 15 people (first-come, first-served)

＜Online Participation＞

Using 'Zoom' (meeting format)

※ No capacity limit ※ Online participants can attend only Part 1. ※ Join easily from home or anywhere. ※ The participation URL and password will be sent later.

[Program Details]

＜Part 1＞ City Introduction & Talk Session [On-site & Online]

12:00 PM – 12:50 PM

City staff will introduce Odawara, followed by a talk session with the three guest speakers sharing their real-life experiences about the city’s charm and post-relocation life.

Photo from a previous session (Part 1)

＜Part 2＞ Free Talk [On-site only]

12:50 PM – 1:30 PM

Participants will split into three groups for free conversation with the guest speakers. You can directly discuss topics like work-life balance, parenting, and community involvement.

Photo from a previous session (Part 2)

Guest Speakers

Yuta Suda

Moved to Odawara from Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, in October 2024. Inspired by the desire to 'live in a peaceful place where I can feel nature and slow down,' he visited Odawara, felt the atmosphere firsthand, and decided to relocate. Now living along the Odakyu Line, commuting to Tokyo once a week. He enjoys days surrounded by nature, local community interactions, and access to fresh, local ingredients.

Website: Odawarabo “A Life of Deep Breathing”

Masashi Hidaka

Moved to Odawara in February 2024 with his wife from Arakawa Ward, Tokyo, unable to endure Tokyo’s summer heat. Now lives in a detached house with a spacious garden, just a 10-minute walk from Odawara Station. Initially commuting to Tokyo once a week, now 2–4 times weekly, mainly via Shinkansen. Enjoys hiking and gardening. Currently renovating his home, planning to add a large bookshelf and guest room.

Taro Yamakawa

Moved to Odawara in May 2009 from Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Lives in a detached house near Odawara Station with his wife and 8-year-old son. Commutes to Yokohama 3–5 times a week. Actively involved in local community activities, including his child’s youth soccer team and elementary school events. On weekends, enjoys BBQs at Mikoshi Beach and gathering firewood in the mountains—living a fulfilling life immersed in Odawara’s rich nature.

Website: Odawarabo “Odawara Relocation Report”

[Application Form]

Apply here

[Application Period]

June 5 (Fri) 10:00 AM – July 2 (Thu) 12:00 PM

[Co-organized by]

Odawara City, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Furusato Kaiki & Relocation Exchange Promotion Organization

[General Inquiries]

Policy Coordination Section, Planning and Policy Division (0465-33-1268)

Don’t miss Odawarabo—Odawara’s WEB magazine!

Odawarabo is a web magazine that explores various forces that make life enjoyable, all from Odawara. It carefully introduces a town overflowing with 'forces'—the sea and mountains, local people, work styles, and parenting.

Visit Odawarabo here

Inquiries

Planning and Policy Division, Planning Department, Odawara City (0465-33-1915)