Kanagawa Prefecture

Kanagawa Prefecture

Updated

Kanagawa | Statistics











Region: Kanto
Capital: Yokohama
Population (approx.): 9.072 million (2012)
Area: 933 sq miles
Area Rank: 43

Kanagawa | Major Cities

Tripadvisor Ranking 8
Yokohama

Yokohama

One of the world's largest Chinatowns and preserves former Western residences

Odawara

Odawara

Famous for Odawara Castle and is known for cherry and plum blossoms

Tripadvisor Ranking 9
Hakone

Hakone

Part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and famous for Hot Springs

Kamakura (optional)

Kamakura (optional)

Kamakura is a treasure trove of eccentric temples and interesting shrines.

Kanagawa | Destinations

Kanagawa | Destinations

Kanagawa Prefecture is located in the Kanto region, south of Tokyo. Its capital Yokohama is Japan’s second largest city and a popular tourist destination along with Kamakura and Hakone. Yokohama Chinatown is Japan’s largest Chinatown and one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. Yokohama Chinatown is famous for its narrow colorful streets filled with shops, restaurants, and street food stands serving delicious street food. Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, an amusement park consisting one of Japan’s most popular aquarium, is also a popular spot in Yokohama. The Cup Noodles Museum and Ramen Museum are also interesting museums where you can create your own cup noodle and enjoy ramen from different regions of Japan, respectively.
Kamakura is a treasure trove of eccentric temples and interesting shrines and one of Japan’s most historical places. It houses the most famous bronze statue of the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Hakone has been one of Japan's most popular hot spring resorts for centuries and is popular for its beautiful views of Mt. Fuji. Owakudani in Hakone is also a popular tourist site for its crater that developed after volcanic eruptions of Mt. Hakone. At Owakudani, black eggs which were blackened by the sulfur in the hot water they are cooked in are very popular. Eating these eggs have been believed to extend one’s life by seven years.

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

Amusement Park and Popular Aquarium located at Yokohama Bay

Lake Ashi Cruise

Lake Ashi Cruise

Cruise on Lake Ashi with beautiful view of Mt. Fuji

Zeniarai Benten Shrine

Zeniarai Benten Shrine

Money washed at this shrine will double, bringing fortune to the individual

Tokeiji Temple

Tokeiji Temple

Shelter Home for Abused Women and Divorced

Hakone Ropeway - Mt. Fuji View

Hakone Ropeway - Mt. Fuji View

Beautiful Scenery of Mt. Fuji from a different perspective

Hakone Shrine

Hakone Shrine

Hidden in the dense forest, but are well advertised by its huge torii gates

Mt. Komagatake Aerial Cableway

Mt. Komagatake Aerial Cableway

Takes you to the top of Mt. komagatake, commanding a view of Mt. Fuji, Izu Peninsula

Odawara Castle

Odawara Castle

The residence of a feudal lord, the Odawara Hojo Family

Tripadvisor Ranking 13
Hase-dera Temple

Hase-dera Temple

Buddhist Temple famous for Statue of Kannon

Yokohama China Town

Yokohama China Town

The Largest China Town in Japan

Yunessun Spa Resort

Yunessun Spa Resort

Bathe in Wine, Green Tea, Sake, and Coffee

Enoshima Aquarium

Enoshima Aquarium

A Large Aquarium found along the Enoshima Beach has Jellyfish Collection

Gora Park

Gora Park

Beautiful French Style Rose Garden in Hakone

Owakudani Valley

Owakudani Valley

Famous crater in Hakone and active volcanic zone

Kenchoji Temple

Kenchoji Temple

The first of the five Zen temples and designated as a national treasure

Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Kamakura's most important shrine

Kotokuin

Kotokuin

Famous for the Kamakura Great Buddha

Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi with Mount Fuji in the background is the symbol of Hakone

Hakone Sekisho

Hakone Sekisho

Former checkpoint restored in 2007 and now serves as a museum.

Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum (JDT Recommends)

Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum (JDT Recommends)

World's First Food-Themed Amusement Park

Kanagawa | Local Food and Produce

Kanagawa | Local Food and Produce

Due to its large Chinatown, shumai, or traditional Chinese dumplings, are popular in Kanagawa. Kiyoken is a top shumai producer in Yokohama and its boxed shumai is Yokohama's top souvenir. Kiyoken's shumai features juicy pork and scallops and is sold in Yokohama and its train stations. Shumai bentos are popular among those traveling to and through Yokohama.

In Enoshima, a small offshore island of Kanagawa, "nama shirasu don" attracts many tourists to the island. "Nama" means raw and "shirasu" are baby sardines. These raw baby sardines are placed on a bowl of rice and scarfed down. The translucent little fish are served fresh, with soy sauce, green onions and sometimes an egg. Shirasu can also be served boiled, which then changes into a milky white color and gains a fluffy texture.

Hato Sabure

Hato Sabure

Popular Dove-Shaped Cookies in Kamakura

Shumai (JDT Recommends)

Shumai (JDT Recommends)

Japanese variation of the popular dumpling dish from China

Yokohama Cup Noodles Museum

Yokohama Cup Noodles Museum

Interactive Museum on Cup Noodles Where You Can Make Your Original Cup Noodle

Ariake Harbour (JDT Recommends)

Ariake Harbour (JDT Recommends)

Popular Yokohama Confectionery enjoyed by many

Kanagawa | Arts and Crafts

Kanagawa | Arts and Crafts

Hakone-yosegi zaiku is traditional woodwork from Kanagawa featuring geometric shapes and designs. It was developed by Nihei Ishikawa during the late Edo Period and continues to be made even two centuries later. The beauty of the wood is preserved by keeping its original color, making no two identical products. Hakone-yosegi zaiku is used to create various kinds of products such as boxes, trays, drawers, and even a "himitsu bako", or secret box. The himitsu bako appears to be an ordinary box with no locks or openings, and can only be opened by those who know the secret, tricky procedure of opening the specific box.

Tripadvisor Ranking 5
Open-Air Museum

Open-Air Museum

First Open-Air Museum in Japan, Picasso Pavilion and Foot-Bath Hot-Spring

UKAI Venetian Glass Museum

UKAI Venetian Glass Museum

Antique and Modern Venetian Glass Museum

Kanagawa | Festivals and Events

Kanagawa | Festivals and Events

Kamakura Festival is a 3 day festival that reenacts Kamakura when Yoritomo Minamoto found the town. The festival as two main highlights: shizuka no mai dance and yabusame.

Shizuka was a princess who loved Minamoto no Yoshitsune. She was forced to abandon him by Yoritomo's orders. She then performed a dance, what became known as the shizuka no mai dance, to express her feelings for Yoshitsune. This dance angered Yoritomo and resulted in her imprisonment and her children's deaths.

Yabusame is the reenactment of samurais on horseback, shooting arrows at targets. The event is said to have been Yoritomo's idea to strengthen and improve his warriors' skills.

Kanagawa | Movie - Kamakura

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