Oyama, Tochigi

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Urban area along the National Highway 4 (June 2005)

Oyama (小山市; -shi) is a city located in Tochigi, Japan.

As of 2006, the city has an estimated population of 160,000 and the density of 930.1 persons per km². The total area is 171.61 km². In 2006 Oyama became the second most populous city in the Tochigi prefecture, with the capital of the prefecture Utsunomiya retaining the number one spot.

The city is centred around Omoigawa River and Oyama Station includes a platform for the Tohoku Shinkansen, or bullet train.

Oyama was given city status on March 31, 1954.

The mayor of Oyama is Toshio Okubo.

One of the major employers in the city is Komatsu making iron castings, diesel engines, fork lift trucks and other hydraulic equipment.

Oyama formally signed a sister-city agreement with Cairns, Australia on May 15, 2006.

[edit] What to do & See

Shopping

1. Roble & Oyama Station Shopping Center- The biggest shopping area in Oyama is conveniently attached to Oyama Station.The ROBLE Shopping Mall and attached Oyama Train Station Shopping Center have plenty of clothes, food and specialty shops for your shopping pleasure.The ROBLE building has 7 floors of shops, including a 100yen shop in the Basement floor, a MacDonalds, Baskin Robins, games center for the school kids and a bookshop to name a few. Also, on the top floor is Oyama’s only movie theatre which regularly plays both Japanese and English movies 7 days a week. For great movie deals, remember that Monday night is Men’s night and Tuesday night is ladies night, meaning a discount for men and women respectively on these nights. Next to the movie theatre is also a number of Italian and restaurants Japanese. The Oyama Station Shopping Center is attached to the ROBLE building and contains many clothes and accessories shops. They also have a number of restaurants and a Starbucks

2. JUSCO- One of Japan’s biggest home goods and supermarket franchises is Jusco, and the Oyama Jusco is located in the East Oyama area. Look for all your household goods and groceries here.

3. ITO YOKADO- Just a five minute walk on the East side of Oyama Station. Is similar to Jusco, and contains all household items from bed sheets and pillows to shoes and underwear. Also contains a supermarket on the first floor.

4. YAMADA DENKI- “Denki” is the Japanese word for electronics, and Yamada Denki is one of the largest national retailers of electrical goods and products. Stocks a huge range products, including TV’s, fridges, DVD’s, cell phones and digital camera’s. Located right next to Ito Yokaido on the East side of Oyama Station Yamada Denki Webpage

5. ROYAL HOME CENTER- A huge center containing household and outdoor goods. Everything from cupboards and electrical plugs, to light panels and office desks, all at very reasonable prices.

6. GROCERY SHOPPING

   Maruetsu:    The largest supermarket in Oyama. Great price and good selection
   Marche:      A fine foods supermarket that sells a large range of International foods.
   Jusco:       A good selection of fresh fruit, meat and grocery products.
   Ito Yokaido: A good selection of fresh fruit, meat and grocery products.
   Hanamasa:    A small bulkfoods supermarket, where you’ll find the cheapest meat & poultry products in Oyama

Accommodation

1. EXCELL INN- Conveniently located only a few minutes walk from the East side of Oyama station, this business hotel offers single and double rooms, all with western style bathroom facilities. Breakfast is included in the price of the room, as is free use of the lobby internet.

Phone: 0285-30-5555 Excel Inn Oyama

2. OYAMA GRAND HOTEL- The largest hotel in Oyama, offers comfortable rooms all with western style bathroom facilities and free internet connections in all rooms. Also has a lobby bar, Japanese restaurant and conference and banquet facilities.

Phone: 0285-24-5111

Where to eat!

One of the beauties about Oyama is the boundless number of restaurants throughout the city. Whether it be a small Japanese style cafe or a large franchised restaurant, virtually every street is home to a place where residents and visitors can dine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The main restaurant strip in Oyama is along Route 50, where you’ll find everything from traditional Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Italian and western restaurants. A few recommended choices include:

1. Verdes- Best Italian food in town! Just a 2 minute walk from the West side exit of Oyama Station.

Where to drink!

Many of the traditional bars in Japan are quite different from those in western countries. A Japanese bar is usually small (don’t be surprised if you can’t fit more than 4 or 5 people in some!) and many of them serve house specialty food as well cold local beers. Oyama also supports quite a large “garage band” culture, and many of the bars around Oyama often put on live houses where the local groups can get together and show off there stuff. A few recommended choices include:

1. Rocks Cafe- Located opposite the Ashikaga bank on the West side of Oyama station; the beers are always cold, the service friendly and the owner speaks a little bit of English.

2. Switch- A great little punk rock bar located on the East side of Oyama Station. Often host live house events

3. Craft- Next door to Coco's restaurant on the North East side of Oyama station.

4. Color Jam- A great little hole in the wall bar that also serves good food.