Kanagawa Prefecture Travel Guide
Region
Coastal prefecture south of Tokyo with Yokohama’s harbor and Chinatown, Kamakura’s temples and Great Buddha, Enoshima and Hakone’s hot springs and lake views toward Mount Fuji.
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Why Visit Kanagawa Prefecture #
Take the Hakone loop for hot‑spring ryokan stays, open‑air art at the Hakone Open‑Air Museum and clear views of Mount Fuji on good days. Stay overnight to soak in an onsen and watch the valley lights after sunset; day trips from Tokyo are possible but feel rushed. Book a ryokan with a private bath if you value privacy.
Kamakura packs major temples and the Daibutsu - the Great Buddha - into a walkable seaside town that’s terrific for a half‑day from Tokyo. Hase‑dera’s cliffside gardens and Tsurugaoka Hachimangū are highlights. Avoid weekends if you can; weekdays offer quieter temple visits and better photo opportunities.
Yokohama’s Minato Mirai waterfront mixes modern architecture, the CupNoodles Museum and a scenic Ferris wheel with lively Chinatown just minutes away. Ride the Bay Bridge at sunset for skyline views and sample Chinese sweets or ramen in the Motomachi shopping street. It’s an easy, compact contrast to Tokyo’s intensity.
The Shōnan coastline around Enoshima and Kamakura is where Tokyoites come to surf, rent bikes and watch sunsets over Sagami Bay. Enoshima offers caves, a small shrine and coastal trails; local cafes cater to a relaxed beach crowd. Weekdays are best - parking and trains fill quickly on sunny weekends.
Odawara Castle is a reconstructed fortress with a compact museum and panoramic views from its keep, a good stop en route to Hakone. The grounds are pleasant in cherry blossom season and the town has local seafood stalls and traditional sweets. It’s an easy cultural half‑stop between Tokyo and Hakone.
Who's Kanagawa Prefecture For?
Hakone’s onsen ryokan, Lake Ashi boat rides and mountain views offer classic Japanese romance just outside Tokyo. Small coastal towns like Enoshima add intimate seaside dinners and sunsets.
Yokohama’s Cosmo World, CupNoodles Museum and Sankeien garden provide playful, educational outings; Kamakura temples and beaches make easy family day trips from Tokyo.
Kanagawa suits short, budget stays with hostels in Yokohama and Kamakura; efficient trains let backpackers hop coastal sights quickly, though accommodation is pricier than rural Japan.
Proximity to Tokyo, solid internet in Yokohama and multiple coworking spaces make Kanagawa convenient for remote work. Fast rail links mean easy weekend escapes to mountains or coast.
Yokohama Chinatown and Enoshima’s shirasu (young sardines) highlight the prefecture’s culinary range. You can sample ramen varieties and fresh seafood at lively seaside stalls.
Kamakura’s coastal trails and hiking in the Tanzawa range offer active day outings; Hakone adds volcano walks and ropeway views for moderate adventure seekers.
Noge and Yokohama’s waterfront districts host lively izakaya and pubs, but Kanagawa nightlife is calmer than central Tokyo. Weekend crowds fill waterfront bars and live music venues.
Miura Peninsula cliffs, Kamakura beaches and Hakone’s forested lakes deliver varied natural scenery. Great for short escapes: coastal viewpoints, hot springs and mountain walks.
Best Places to Visit in Kanagawa Prefecture
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Where to Go in Kanagawa Prefecture #
Yokohama & Bay
Yokohama anchors Kanagawa’s international, seaside side with gleaming harbors, chic malls and an atmospheric Chinatown. Wandering the Minato Mirai skyline at dusk or visiting classical gardens offers a metropolitan seaside experience close to Tokyo. It’s polished, easy to reach and packed with museums and waterfront promenades.
Top Spots
- Yokohama - Landmark waterfront, Chinatown and modern Minato Mirai quarter.
- Yokosuka - Naval port with seaside parks and curry shops.
- Sankeien Garden - Traditional Japanese garden with historic buildings.
Hakone & Fuji Views
Hot springs, short hikes and sweeping views of Mount Fuji define Hakone’s appeal. Ride the mountain cable car, soak in ryokan onsen and take a misty cruise across Lake Ashi with the torii and shrine framing the view. It’s an accessible nature-soak for Tokyo-based travelers craving mountain air.
Top Spots
- Hakone - Hot springs, lake cruises and open-air sculpture parks.
- Hakone Shrine - Lakeside torii framed by mist and cedar.
- Owakudani - Volcanic vents and black-shelled eggs (where open).
Kamakura & Enoshima
History and surf sit side-by-side around Kamakura and Enoshima. Explore ancient temples and Zen gardens in the morning, then swap to beach mode by afternoon - surf schools, coastal walks and seafood stalls line the shore. Short rail links make this a classic day trip from Tokyo and Yokohama.
Top Spots
- Kamakura - Giant bronze Buddha, temple trails and samurai-era streets.
- Enoshima - Small island with sea caves, beaches and sunset viewpoints.
- Zushi - Laid-back beach town with cafes and windsurfing.
Shonan Coast
The Shonan Coast is Kanagawa’s sun-and-surf playground: long beaches, lively cafés and a relaxed beach-culture energy that peaks in summer. Expect a mix of surfers, families and day-trippers from the capital. It’s casual, social and best for people who want seaside vibes without the formality of resort towns.
Top Spots
- Shonan Beaches - Long sandy stretches popular with surfers and locals.
- Kugenuma - Surf culture and casual seaside dining.
- Enoshima Coastline - Dramatic sunsets and boardwalk cafés.
Top Things to Do in Kanagawa Prefecture
All Attractions ›
- Hakone (Lake Ashi and Hakone Shrine) - Popular hot-spring region with lake cruises, torii shrine, and mountain views toward Mount Fuji.
- Kamakura Great Buddha (Kotoku-in) - Massive outdoor bronze Buddha and historic temple precinct in coastal Kamakura city.
- Yokohama Minato Mirai and Landmark Tower - Seaside urban district with waterfront parks, museums, and skyline views from Landmark Tower observatory.
- Enoshima Island and Sea Caves - Small island with shrines, coastal walks, and seaside viewpoints reachable from the Shonan coast.
- Odawara Castle - Reconstructed hilltop castle near Hakone serving as a gateway to the region's history.
- Sankeien Garden - Traditional Japanese garden in Yokohama with historic teahouses and seasonal flowers away from crowds.
- Enoshima Iwaya Caves' Lesser Trails - Quieter coastal paths around Enoshima revealing small shrines and ocean-view rock formations.
- Kurokawa Onsen (Odawara area) - Small local hot-spring baths popular with residents for relaxed evening soaks.
- Shonan Beach Town Cafés - Local surfer cafes along the Shonan coast serving seaside breakfasts and laid-back atmosphere.
- Hakone Loop (train, ropeway, cruise) - Full-day touring route combining Hakone Tozan Railway, cable car, and Lake Ashi cruise, variable duration.
- Kamakura-Enoshima Coastal Drive - Short scenic coastal route linking temples, beaches, and seaside cafes in under an hour from Yokohama.
- Miura Peninsula and Jogashima Circuit - Day-long peninsula drive to fishing villages, rugged coastlines, and Jogashima Island viewpoints.
- Hakone Tozan Railway Scenic Ride - Mountain railway journey through steep switchbacks and hydrangea-lined stretches, ideal for a half-day outing.
Planning Your Trip to Kanagawa Prefecture #
Weekend Kanagawa Prefecture Itinerary
Weekend in Kanagawa: Yokohama's Minato Mirai and Sankeien gardens, day-trip to Kamakura's Great Buddha and temples, and Enoshima island's lighthouse and coastal walks plus Hakone hot-spring option.
Show itinerary- Day 1 - Yokohama Minato Mirai and CupNoodles Museum.
- Day 2 - Sankeien Garden and Chinatown dinner.
- Day 3 - Day-trip to Kamakura and Enoshima island.
1 Week Kanagawa Prefecture Itinerary
Spend a week across Kanagawa: Yokohama waterfront, Kamakura temples, Hakone hot springs and Lake Ashi cruises, Odawara Castle, Miura Peninsula beaches and local seafood markets.
Show itinerary- Day 1 - Yokohama waterfront and bay cruise.
- Day 2 - Sankeien Garden and Chinatown exploration.
- Day 3 - Kamakura temples and Great Buddha.
- Day 4 - Drive to Hakone; hot-spring evening.
- Day 5 - Lake Ashi cruise and Owakudani visit.
- Day 6 - Odawara Castle and local markets.
- Day 7 - Miura Peninsula beaches and seafood; depart.
2 Weeks Kanagawa Prefecture Itinerary
Two weeks in Kanagawa: slow coastal drives along Sagami Bay, extended Hakone hikes and onsen nights, Kamakura temple trails, Yokohama neighborhoods, Miura fishing villages and island day trips.
Show itinerary- Day 1-2 - Yokohama neighborhoods, museums, and harbor walks.
- Day 3-4 - Kamakura temple circuit and coastal trails.
- Day 5-8 - Hakone extended stay: hikes, Lake Ashi, onsen nights.
- Day 9 - Odawara castle and seaside strolls.
- Day 10-11 - Miura Peninsula fishing villages and beach days.
- Day 12-13 - Yugawara and Manazuru coastal hikes.
- Day 14 - Final Yokohama morning and departure.
Getting to & Around Kanagawa Prefecture #
Kanagawa Prefecture is served mainly via Tokyo’s airports (Haneda HND is closest) and by rail: Shin‑Yokohama (Tōkaidō Shinkansen) and Yokohama/Kawasaki stations on the JR and private networks. The Tōmei and Shuto expressways provide road access to Tokyo and central Honshū.
Unlike many more rural prefectures, Kanagawa is part of the Tokyo megalopolis and has very frequent, overlapping rail and bus services operated by multiple private and JR companies. Outside the urban coastal strip, mountainous areas (Hakone) require cars or dedicated tourist services.
- Trains - Kanagawa is tightly integrated into the Greater Tokyo rail network: JR lines (Tōkaidō Line, Shōnan-Shinjuku), the Tōkaidō Shinkansen at Shin‑Yokohama, and numerous private operators (Keikyū, Odakyu, Tokyu) serve the prefecture. Major stations include Yokohama, Kawasaki and Shin‑Yokohama.
- Local Transit - Yokohama and Kawasaki have dense municipal bus and subway systems (Yokohama Municipal Subway) that fill gaps between rail lines; IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) are widely accepted. Urban services are frequent compared with most other prefectures.
- Rental Car - A rental car is handy for visiting Hakone, the Miura Peninsula and coastal roads, but expect heavy traffic on the Tōmei Expressway and Shuto Expressway approaching Tokyo and Yokohama. Mountain roads around Hakone can be busy on weekends and have tolls.
Where to Stay in Kanagawa Prefecture #
Kanagawa mixes seaside towns, mountain onsen and major urban hotels. Yokohama supplies business and chain hotels, while Hakone and Kamakura specialize in ryokans and coastal guesthouses with easier access from Tokyo for short getaways.
Yokohama and Shin-Yokohama host numerous business hotels and international chains near stations-convenient for city sightseeing, port access and transit to Tokyo.
Hakone: traditional ryokans with private or shared onsen are the classic choice for weekenders from Tokyo; reserve rooms during peak autumn and weekend periods.
Kamakura and Enoshima: small guesthouses and budget hostels suit surfers and day-trippers who want cheap overnight options close to beaches and temples.
Coastal towns and mountain hamlets: short-term apartments and cottages around Enoshima, Kamakura and Hakone suit families or groups avoiding ryokan schedules and meal plans.
Hakone foothills and Tanzawa: simple lodges and cabins serve hikers and small groups, useful outside peak tourist seasons when ryokan are booked.