Chigasaki Travel Guide
City City in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan
Surfboards line Chigasaki’s sands along Sagami Bay, a short train ride from Tokyo. People come for morning surf, sunset promenades, seafood izakayas and the casual Shonan pace - plus quick access to Kamakura’s temples and the Enoshima coastline.
Why Visit Chigasaki? #
Surf culture and a laid-back seaside scene draw people to Chigasaki’s Southern Beach, where surfers and sunset strollers mix with beachside cafés. Local specialties like fresh shirasu (whitebait) bowls show off the area’s coastal cuisine, and the Shonan coastline’s relaxed festivals give a seasonal boost to music and food events. Short trains to Kamakura and Enoshima make the city a convenient base for temple visits and island day trips. Expect a mellow coastal vibe with easy access to larger Kanagawa attractions.
Who's Chigasaki For?
Chigasaki’s Shonan beaches and sunset cafés create relaxed seaside date spots. Stroll Southern Beach, watch surfers, then grab coffee near Chigasaki Station for intimate, inexpensive evenings close to Tokyo.
The Shonan coastline offers sandy beaches and coastal promenades; birdwatching and low-key seaside walks are great. Nearby Kamakura and Sagami Bay expand options for coastal hikes and temple gardens.
A solid spot for beginner to intermediate surfing, with surf schools and rental shops along Southern Beach. Easy day trips to Kamakura and Hakone add hiking and outdoor variety.
Casual seafood restaurants, izakayas and seaside cafés serve fresh fish, yakitori and local sweets. Try small dining streets around the station for good value and relaxed coastal flavours.
Top Things to Do in Chigasaki
All Attractions ›
- Southern Beach Chigasaki - Sandy shore with the iconic 'Southern C' sculpture and longboard-friendly surf culture.
- Chigasaki City Museum of Art - City-run museum presenting modern Japanese art with rotating exhibitions and educational programs.
- Chigasaki Chuo (Station area) - Lively station district with local shops, izakaya, and easy access to the beach.
- Chigasaki Southern C (beach monument) - Large letter 'C' sculpture symbolizing Chigasaki's surf heritage and seaside identity.
- Chigasaki Chuo Shopping Street - Traditional arcade where locals shop, snack, and find independent specialty stores.
- Kotobuki Park - Small neighborhood park favored for quiet walks and seasonal cherry blossom viewing.
- Local live houses around Chigasaki Station - Intimate venues showcasing regional bands and the city's grassroots music scene.
- Chigasaki Marina promenade - Short coastal walk popular for sunsets and watching surfers head out to sea.
- Higashihama Beach (east of Southern Beach) - Less-crowded stretch of sand where residents surf and relax away from crowds.
- Enoshima Island - Compact island offering caves, Samuel Cocking Garden, shrine, and panoramic Sagami Bay views.
- Kotoku-in (Great Buddha), Kamakura - Famous bronze Daibutsu towering beside a peaceful temple courtyard and cedar-lined paths.
- Minato Mirai 21, Yokohama - Futuristic waterfront district with museums, shopping malls, and the Cosmo Clock Ferris wheel.
- Hakone Open-Air Museum - Outdoor sculpture park blending art with mountain scenery and natural hot-spring footbaths.
- Odawara Castle - Reconstructed castle with a museum detailing regional history, plus seasonal cherry blossoms.
Where to Go in Chigasaki #
Southern Beach
Southern Beach is the soul of Chigasaki - surf culture, palms and mellow cafés along the shore. Locals come to swim, surf and watch sunsets; weekends are busiest. Ideal for beach days, casual seafood and a laid-back seaside atmosphere.
Top Spots
- Southern Beach Chigasaki - The town’s famous stretch of sand and surf.
- Chigasaki Surf Shop area - Boards, rentals and beach cafés.
- Beachfront cafés - Relaxed spots for coffee and sunset views.
Station District
Around Chigasaki Station you’ll find practical shopping arcades, bakeries and daily-life cafés. It’s the best place to base yourself for train travel and to explore local shops without the beach crowds. Evenings are relaxed; most places close early.
Top Spots
- Chigasaki Station - Hub for trains, shops and eateries.
- Shopping arcades - Small boutiques, bakeries and ramen shops.
- City museum / gallery - Local exhibitions and cultural programming.
Mamiana / Harbor
The harbor area and adjacent coastal paths attract locals who like fresh seafood and easy walks. It’s quieter than the main beach and offers a peek at the town’s fishing side. Great for strolling, early-morning fish markets and low-key meals.
Top Spots
- Local fishing harbor - Small-scale fish markets and waterfront views.
- Coastal walkways - Quiet paths popular with walkers.
- Small family restaurants - Fresh seafood dishes.
Plan Your Visit to Chigasaki #
Best Time to Visit Chigasaki #
Visit Chigasaki in spring (March-May) or autumn (October-November) for mild coastal temperatures, cherry blossoms or crisp sea breezes, and pleasant beachside strolls. Avoid the early-summer rainy season and the hot, humid August crowds.
Best Time to Visit Chigasaki #
Chigasaki's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1697 mm/year), wettest in June.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (160 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (220 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (162 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (181 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (215 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (189 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).
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How to Get to Chigasaki
Chigasaki is easiest reached by train via Chigasaki Station (served by the JR Tokaido, Shonan-Shinjuku and Sagami lines). International visitors normally arrive at Tokyo's Haneda (closest) or Narita airports and continue to Chigasaki by a mix of airport rail services, limited‑express trains or highway buses.
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND): The quickest way from Haneda is by rail: take the Keikyu Airport Line to Shinagawa (about 13-20 minutes, fare ~300-420 JPY) and change there for the JR Tokaido or Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Chigasaki (Shinagawa → Chigasaki roughly 50-65 minutes, fare ~600-900 JPY). There are also airport limousine buses and direct coach services to parts of the Shonan coast at certain times - travel time to Chigasaki is typically around 60-90 minutes and fares are usually in the 1,200-1,800 JPY range.
Narita International Airport (NRT): The fastest rail option is the Narita Express (N’EX) to Yokohama (about 90-110 minutes, ticket ~3,000-3,500 JPY) and then a JR Tokaido Line train from Yokohama to Chigasaki (about 25-35 minutes, fare ~300-600 JPY). Alternatively, long-distance highway buses and combinations of Keisei/JR services are available; total journey times to Chigasaki are commonly 120-180 minutes depending on connections.
Train: Chigasaki Station is the city’s main rail hub and is served by the JR Tokaido Line, JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line and the Sagami Line (for local east-west links). Frequent rapid and local services connect Chigasaki with Yokohama (about 25-35 minutes, fare around 300-500 JPY) and central Tokyo (roughly 50-75 minutes by rapid/Tokaido, fares typically in the 700-1,200 JPY range).
Bus: Local buses around Chigasaki are operated by regional carriers (stops at Chigasaki Station and beach areas) and are useful for short hops and accessing neighbourhoods away from the station; typical one-way fares are around 200-300 JPY and journeys within town run 5-30 minutes. There are also occasional highway/express buses linking Shonan towns with major Tokyo terminals - travel times and fares vary (roughly 60-120 minutes, 1,000-2,000 JPY) depending on route and operator.
How to Get Around Chigasaki
Trains are the most reliable and efficient way to get in and around Chigasaki - use the JR Tokaido and Shonan‑Shinjuku services for regional trips and the Sagami Line for local connections. For short distances and sightseeing the best options are walking or renting a bicycle; buses and taxis fill gaps where rail doesn't reach.
- JR Tokaido & Shonan-Shinjuku Lines (300-1,200 JPY) - The main way to get to and from Chigasaki - frequent rapid and local trains run between Chigasaki, Yokohama and Tokyo. Rapid services make Chigasaki a straightforward day‑trip base for Tokyo; expect trains every 10-30 minutes during the day. Use IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) for quick boarding.
- Sagami Line (150-400 JPY) - A local JR line that links Chigasaki with inland towns and commuter suburbs to the east. Trains are less frequent than the Tokaido Line but useful for reaching quieter neighbourhoods and smaller stations; rides are short and inexpensive. Check timetables if planning connections, especially outside peak hours.
- Local buses (200-300 JPY) - City and regional buses serve Chigasaki Station, the beaches and residential areas not directly on rail lines. One-way fares are typically around 200-300 JPY; exact routes and frequencies vary by operator. Buses are handy for luggage or off-station destinations but are slower than trains during rush hour.
- Taxis (¥410 (start) → 1,000-3,000 JPY) - Taxis are readily available at Chigasaki Station and convenient for door-to-door travel, especially with luggage or late at night. Typical short trips across town start at the standard Japanese metered fare; expect 1,000-2,500 JPY for most short-to-medium journeys within the city. Note higher costs for long rides and late-night surcharges.
- Bicycle rentals (300-1,000 JPY) - Chigasaki is very cycle-friendly - rental bikes (hourly/day rates) are a great way to reach the beach and explore the coastal promenade. Many shops and some hotels offer bikes; typical day rentals run from a few hundred to around 1,000 JPY. Helmets and bike parking are widely available near popular spots.
- Walking - Central Chigasaki and the coastline are compact and pleasant on foot; walking is often the fastest way to reach beaches, cafés and the station area during busy periods. Expect 5-30 minute walks between major local sights, and bring comfortable shoes for sandy areas.
Where to Stay in Chigasaki #
Where to Eat in Chigasaki #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Chigasaki's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Chigasaki #
Chigasaki is a seaside town with a relaxed, beach-oriented nightlife: think beachfront cafés, izakaya-lined streets near Chigasaki Station and occasional live-music nights. Southern Beach is the magnet-locals gather there in summer for bonfires and sunset drinks. Most bars and izakaya close around midnight; train schedules matter, so plan your return. Casual, beachy attire works everywhere.
Best Bets
- Southern Beach Chigasaki - Main beachfront for sunset hangs and summer events.
- Chigasaki Station area - Izakaya and bars clustered within walking distance of the station.
- Local live houses - Small venues hosting local bands and acoustic nights.
- Izakaya rows - Great for late small-plate dining and drinks.
- Eki-dori (Station street) - Casual bars and cafés popular with young locals.
- Seaside seafood restaurants - Fresh seafood and seaside views into the evening.
