Discover Kanagawa Prefecture

Hakone: Cultural Heritage and Volcanic Landscapes

Hakone Shrine was founded in 757, at the beginning of the Nara period. Its approach from the Heiwa-no-torii gate on Lake Ashi is lined with rows of cedars more than 600 years old. Hakone Hachiri is recognized as a Japan Heritage site within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. White, sulfurous steam still rises in Owakudani as a result of Hakone’s volcanic activity. Kuro-tamago black eggs are boiled in the acidic hot mud characteristic of Owakudani; visitors can eat and shop at Owakudani Kuro-tamagokan.

History and Craftsmanship in Odawara

Odawara Castle is designated a national historic site and preserved through reconstruction and restoration. At Odawara Castle Ruins Park, you can see a variety of flowers and plants throughout the year, including cherry blossoms, wisteria, irises and Japanese plum blossoms. In Hakone, Hatajuku Parquet Hall displays and sells traditional geometric wood-mosaic crafts from the region.

Regional Cuisine and Its Traditions

Kamaboko has been made since the 12th century; the Odawara variety is made from white fish, egg whites, salt and a little sake. At the Suzuhiro Kamaboko Museum, visitors can join a kamaboko and chikuwa-making workshop led by master artisans. Reservations are required; check the current arrangements before your visit. The prefecture’s local craft traditions also include forged blades from Kamakura and authentic sake from the Tanzawa Mountains. Yokohama Chinatown is also considered an example of Kanagawa Prefecture’s culinary landscape.

Enoshima: Attractions and Seafood

Enoshima is an island with a circumference of about 4 km. Popular attractions throughout the year include Enoshima Shrine, Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, Enoshima Sea Candle, Dragon Bell, Chigogafuchi Marine Plateau and Enoshima Iwaya Cave. Seafood such as shirasu, Ise lobster, sashimi, sazae and clams is widely available on Enoshima and popular with tourists as local cuisine. Shonan shirasu are small white fish with a slightly salty taste and a soft, airy texture.

City History and Seasonal Events

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is a cultural and commercial complex housed in a historic building constructed more than 100 years ago. Seasonal events take place in its event plaza, including the Yokohama Oktoberfest and Christmas Market. As the program may change, check the current event dates before your trip.

In Yokosuka, colorful, hand-embroidered satin Sukajan jackets first appeared in the late 1940s. The historic museum ship MIKASA is also located there: it was built in England in 1902 and fought in the Battle of Tsushima in 1905. Below deck, a museum features exhibits on the ship’s history.

At the Shonan-Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival, about 300 ornaments fill the city center; the program also includes a Tanabata decoration contest and a parade. The festival is a recurring tradition. Check the dates and program before your trip.

Hiking and a Connection Across the Bay

Tounodake has several routes suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. Check current mountain conditions before your visit.

The Tokyo Bay Ferry connects Kurihama Beach in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, with Kanaya in Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture; the crossing takes an estimated 40 minutes. Check the schedule and service status before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Iwa, Yugawara, Manazuru, Aiko District, Ashigarashimo District, Kawasaki, Chigasaki, Hayama, Miura, Zushi, Naka District, Ashigarashimo District, Hiratsuka, Hakone, Atsugi, Ebina, Fujisawa, Kamakura, Hadano, Ogimachi, Yamato, Chuo, Isehara, Yokohama, Odawara, Sagamihara, Yokosuka.

For the broader travel overview: Japan.