Top 30 sightseeing spots in Kanagawa

Kanagawa prefecture is only about 1 hour away from Tokyo. So it makes for a great place for a day trip. The following are the top sightseeing spots you want to keep in mind when you visit.

The most famous city is Yokohama and there’s lots to do there. If you go down to Odawara, you can see a castle, and if you go to Kamakura you’ll be able to see the Great Buddha. Further away are the hot springs like Yugawara and Hakone. Have fun exploring this prefecture with so many sightseeing choices!

The Hakone Open-Air Museum

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is an outdoor art museum that covers a huge area of approximately 70,000 square meters. You can enjoy sculptures from Henry Moore, Marta Pan and others.

Hasedera Temple

Hasedera Temple was constructed on the mountainside with views of both the ocean and city. The beautiful garden is blooming with hydrangeas and irises all year round. And because of this, the temple has also become known as the “flower temple”.

Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi in Hakone has a circumference of 21 km. It was formed by damming a river. It is a famous tourist spot in Hakone and popular as a spot to view Mt. Fuji.

Hakone Shrine

This spiritual spot representing Hakone, is popular all year round. Many women come to pray there as it is famous as a shrine of marriage.

Great Buddha(Kotoku-in)

Kamakura is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, nestled between the mountains and the ocean. It is an area that is abundant in nature. The Great Buddha of the Kotoku-in Temple has been designated as a National Treasure.

Minato Mirai 21

Minato Mirai is an area facing Yokohama Harbor within Nishi and Naka Wards. Almost half of the area is reclaimed land and it’s a region that has a lot of offices and shopping malls.

Pola Museum of Art

An enormous collection of the owner of the cosmetics company, Pola. You can feel what beauty means to these professionals from the exhibits to the exterior.

Hokoku-ji Temple

Hokoku-ji is a Zen temple that was established 700 years ago. It has been carefully maintained over a long period of time and the lush bamboo grove will take your breath away. Drink some matcha tea during a tea ceremony and take some time to quietly view the forest.

Owakudani

Owakudani was created when the Hakone volcano exploded about 3000 years ago. Powerful outbursts of smoke and sulfur can be viewed up close in the well maintained areas.

Sankei-en Garden

Sankei-en Garden was built in 1906 in Yokohama, under the direction of a businessman, Sankei Hara. There is a beautiful harmony between nature and the 13 examples of Japanese architecture intentionally positioned on the huge grounds.

Osanbashi Pier

The popular Yokohama International Passenger Terminal is located in Osanbashi Pier. There is a restaurant and caféwhere anyone can stop by, and the 3rd floor is an open and relaxing grass plaza.

Yamashita Park

From this seaside park facing Yokohama Bay, you can see the Yokohama Bay Bridge and Osanbashi Pier. It’s one of the main tourist spots in Yokohama with the museum ship Hikawa Maru, and surrounded by classical architecture such as the Hotel New Grand.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is a shrine located in the city of Kamakura, west of Tokyo. It was established in 1180 by Yoritomo Minamoto, the first shogun of the Kamakura Era. It is one of the most famous shrines among the 80,000 shrines in Japan.

Kencho-ji Temple

Kencho-ji is Japan’s oldest Zen temple, built in the 13th century. Experience the serene world of Zen while walking through the large grounds of this awe inspiring temple and viewing the garden of the chief priest.

Hakone Ropeway

One of the 50 scenic areas in Kanagawa Prefecture. This is one way to get to Owakudani. The bubbling hot springs valley created by volcanic activity is the source for Hakone’s onsen.

Yokohama Landmark Tower

Landmark Tower is the center of the redeveloped zone in Yokohama called Minato Mirai 21. There are a variety of things to do such as shopping, dining, and attending events. The view of the port city seen from the 273m observation deck is very romantic.

Sea Bass

The “Sea Bass” makes direct and indirect voyages from Yokohama Station to Yamashita Park. You can enjoy touring Yokohama in a relaxed way on this ship. There are also night cruises on which you can savor the beautiful lights of the city.

Cup Noodles Museum

The concept of the Cup Noodles Museum is "creative thinking". At this interactive museum dedicated to the inventor of Cup Noodles, Momofuku Ando, try making some original noodles of your own.

Yokohama Chinatown

There are more than 6000 Chinese residents and more than 500 shops in the this area. Chinatown is a place where you can experience the food culture, events, and history of China whilst being in Japan.

Hakone Tozan Railway

It is an essential part of Hakone tourism and also designated as a Public Works Heritage Site and a Heritage of Modern Industrialization. You can enjoy the curves, steep slopes, and switchbacks along the railroad that has a 530m difference in elevation.

Hakone Glass Museum

An exceptional world appearing in the middle of the great nature of Hakone. Buildings that have recreated Venice have an atmosphere that feels like being in a European castle of the Middle Ages.

Nogeyama Zoo

The zoo is located inside Nogeyama Park from where you can look down over the Minato Mirai 21 area. Situated in the heart of Yokohama, it is the city’s oldest zoo where everyone of all ages can enjoy themselves.

Enoshima

From historic structures such as Enoshima Shrine and the many caves to recreational facilities such as an aquarium and places for marine sports, the entire island is popular as one vast tourist area.

Nippon Yusen (Japan Mail Shipping Line) Hikawa Maru

Following its magnificent completion as a luxury liner, it was used as a hospital ship during the war and then after the war, it returned to its route and went through some turbulent times. It boasts a permanent popularity as a symbol of Yamashita Park.

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

It’s a multi-purpose leisure facility including an aquarium, amusement park, shopping mall, restaurants, a hotel and a marina. There are many features particular to the sea at Hakkeijima.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

The historical buildings with the beautiful red brick construction that served as the model warehouses for the nation at the beginning of the 20th century. Currently, it is a popular spot where you can enjoy multiple activities at shops, restaurants and an event hall.

Kawasaki City Fujiko F Fujio Museum

This is a museum where you can enjoy the “manga” world of Fujiko F. Fujio. He has left behind numerous famous works as his legacy, such as “Doraemon” which is loved worldwide. It has been affectionately dubbed “The Doraemon Museum” by overseas visitors. You can see the precious original pictures from his many creations.

Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway)

A tram that goes from Kamakura to Fujisawa, it also passes through major tourist sites so it’s convenient for tourists. Just brushing past the edges of houses, the oceanside view from the windows is one of its charms.

Yugawara Onsen

Yugawara Onsen is a hot springs town surrounded by the mountains and the sea. Famous for its healing properties, many writers are known to have stayed here such as Ryunosuke Akutagawa and Junichiro Tanizaki. There are inns located along the river and there is an air of an ancient “onsen” town that continues on.

Odawara Castle

Constructed in the middle of the 15th century, Odawara Castle took pride in its impregnability. Currently, the castle ruins has become a park where you can see the restored castle tower gates, Tokiwagi Gate and Umade Gate. Flowers bloom all throughout the year on the wide grounds and the castle is famous for the cherry blossoms in late March.

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