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Discovering the Beauty of Kanagawa: Exploring Japan’s Picturesque Prefecture

Kanagawa sits just south of Tokyo, and it’s one of my favorite places to send friends who ask for “something different” from the usual Kyoto and Osaka loop. In one prefecture you get Mt. Fuji views, hot spring towns, samurai-era temples, a big port city and surf beaches, and most of it is an easy day trip from central Tokyo. This guide covers what I’d see, eat and do, when the cherry blossoms usually bloom, and how to get around, with prices in JPY.

Prices and hours change often. Check the official sites before you go.

When to Visit Kanagawa (and When to Catch the Sakura)

Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with mild weather and clear days. For cherry blossoms, the general pattern around Yokohama and Kamakura is full bloom from late March to early April, though the exact dates shift each year. Check the Japan Meteorological Corporation or Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts from about February. Good sakura spots include Sankeien Garden in Yokohama, the Dankazura approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura, and Odawara Castle.

Summer is hot and humid, and typhoon season runs from late summer into early autumn. Winter is cold but often crisp and clear, which makes it a good time for Fuji views from Hakone.

Natural Wonders: Mountains, Beaches and Hot Springs

Hakone and Mt. Fuji Views

Hakone is the classic mountain getaway. On a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji from places like Lake Ashi and Owakudani. Fuji is often hidden by cloud, especially in summer, so build in some flexibility. A loop with the Hakone Ropeway, a Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise and the Hakone Tozan Railway is a popular way to see the area. The Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku (2-day) is typically in the range of 6,000 to 7,000 JPY (check Odakyu’s site for the current price), and it covers most of those transport links. Ropeway service sometimes pauses because of volcanic gas or weather, so check the status the day you go.

Beaches: Kamakura, Enoshima and Shonan

The Shonan coast, including Kamakura’s Yuigahama, Enoshima and Chigasaki, is where Tokyoites go to relax by the sea. Swimming is mainly a July to August thing. The rest of the year the beaches are great for walking, cafes and surfing. Enoshima Island has shrines, caves and sunset views toward Fuji on clear evenings.

Hot Springs

Hakone and Yugawara are the best-known onsen towns. Staying overnight in a ryokan with a private or shared bath is worth it if your budget allows. Rates vary widely by season and meal plan, so compare options. Book early for peak seasons.

History and Culture: Temples, Shrines and Castles

Kamakura

Kamakura was the seat of the shogunate from the late 12th century, and that is where the historic sites come from. (It was the Kamakura period, not the Edo period, when this region held national political power.) My must-sees:

• Kotoku-in (Great Buddha): a bronze statue about 13 meters tall. Entry is about 300 JPY, with a small extra fee to go inside the statue.
• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: the main shrine of the city, at the end of a long tree-lined approach.
• Hase-dera: a hillside temple with sea views and seasonal flowers.
• Engaku-ji: a Zen temple in the quieter north of the city, near Kita-Kamakura Station.

Yokohama and Kawasaki

Sankeien Garden in Yokohama is a large traditional garden with relocated historic buildings, and it’s lovely during sakura and autumn leaves. Kawasaki Daishi, a major Buddhist temple, is in neighboring Kawasaki city, not Yokohama, and it gets huge crowds at New Year.

Odawara Castle

Odawara Castle’s keep was rebuilt in the 20th century, but it’s a pleasant stop with a small museum and good views, and it’s right by Odawara Station, the gateway to Hakone. Tenshu entry is around 510 JPY.

Art, Museums and Festivals

The Yokohama Museum of Art in Minato Mirai focuses on modern and contemporary work, with rotating special exhibitions. It underwent a long renovation and fully reopened in February 2025; check the official site for current exhibitions and hours. The Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History in Yokohama covers regional history and archaeology. In Hakone, the Hakone Open-Air Museum is a favorite, with sculptures set against the mountains (adult admission is around 2,000 JPY at the door, a little less if booked online).

For festivals, the Kamakura Matsuri takes place in April, with processions at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. The Yokohama Jazz Promenade is normally held in October, with free and ticketed performances around the city. Dates change each year, so confirm them on the official sites.

What to Eat in Kanagawa

• Shirasu-don: a rice bowl topped with whitebait, found around Kamakura and Enoshima. Fishing seasons and closures affect fresh shirasu, so availability of the raw version varies by day and shop.
• Kamaboko: fish cake, a specialty of Odawara, and a good edible souvenir.
• Yokohama-style ramen (iekei): rich pork-and-soy broth with thick noodles. Many shops let you adjust firmness and oiliness.
• Chinese food in Yokohama Chinatown: the biggest Chinatown in Japan, great for street snacks like nikuman.
• Fresh seafood from Sagami Bay: sushi and sashimi around Odawara and the Miura Peninsula.

Cities Worth Your Time

Yokohama

Yokohama is the prefecture’s capital and Japan’s second-largest city. Spend a day on the Minato Mirai waterfront, the Red Brick Warehouse (shops, restaurants and seasonal events), Chinatown and the Yamashita Park promenade.

Kawasaki

Kawasaki is industrial and less touristy. Kawasaki Daishi and the Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum (Nihon Minkaen) are the main draws for visitors. The folk house museum has a small entrance fee and is closed on Mondays; check the official site for current details.

Kamakura

Kamakura is small enough to explore in a day, though two days is more relaxed. Walk from Kita-Kamakura to the Great Buddha area, then finish on the coast.

Outdoor Activities: Hiking, Cycling and Surfing

• Hiking: The Daibutsu Hiking Course in Kamakura links Kita-Kamakura and the Great Buddha through forested ridges. Hakone has well-marked trails and old Tokaido road sections.
• Cycling: Rental bikes are available in Kamakura, but the narrow, crowded streets can be tricky, so check local rules and restrictions.
• Surfing: Shonan, including Chigasaki, is a major surf area, with schools offering beginner lessons.

Shopping

Komachi-dori in Kamakura is the main souvenir street, with sweets, ceramics, and handmade goods. In Yokohama, Minato Mirai and the Red Brick Warehouse offer the modern side, with department stores, boutiques and cafes. Hakone is known for yosegi-zaiku (marquetry) wooden crafts.

Experiences Worth Booking

• Tea ceremony: offered at cultural centers and some temples and gardens. Reservations are often needed.
• Sake brewery visits: a few breweries in the prefecture offer tours or tastings, usually by reservation; check each brewery’s site.
• Samurai or sword experiences: options exist in the Tokyo region, but I can’t point to a specific Kanagawa dojo I’m sure about, so search current listings.
• Boat trips: Sagami Bay and Yokohama harbor cruises are available. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Guided day tours from Tokyo that combine Kamakura and Enoshima, or Hakone, are a good option if you’d rather not manage the trains.

Practical Tips for Planning Your Trip

Getting There and Around

Haneda Airport is the closest major airport, and it’s actually next to Kanagawa. Yokohama is about 30 minutes from Tokyo Station on JR lines, and Kamakura is about an hour on the JR Yokosuka Line. Hakone is usually reached from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Romancecar (the limited express to Hakone-Yumoto takes roughly 80 to 90 minutes).

Is the JR Pass Worth It?

Since the October 2023 price rise, a 7-day ordinary Japan Rail Pass costs 50,000 JPY when bought on the official site (a little more through overseas agents). Nozomi and Mizuho trains need an extra ticket for pass holders. For Kanagawa alone it usually isn’t worth it. Kamakura and Yokohama are cheap by regular train, and Hakone is mostly served by Odakyu and local transit that the pass doesn’t cover. It can make sense if Kanagawa is one part of a longer multi-city trip. Run the numbers for your route first.

Staying Connected

Maps, train apps and translation tools make trips much easier, so I recommend arranging an eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi before you land. Arrange it before you fly so you’re online as soon as you land.

Where to Stay

Yokohama is the most convenient base for city sightseeing and has plenty of hotels. Kamakura has fewer, smaller places. Hakone is best for an onsen night. Weekends in cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons book up early.

FAQ

What is Kanagawa?

Kanagawa is a prefecture on Honshu, just south of Tokyo, and part of the Greater Tokyo Area. It’s the second most populous prefecture in Japan.

What is the capital of Kanagawa?

Yokohama, which is also Japan’s second-largest city by population.

Can I visit Kanagawa as a day trip from Tokyo?

Yes. Yokohama, Kamakura and Enoshima are easy day trips. Hakone works as a long day trip, but an overnight stay is more relaxing.

When do cherry blossoms bloom in Kanagawa?

Usually from late March to early April, depending on the year’s weather. Check forecasts closer to your dates.

What is the climate like?

Kanagawa has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. Typhoons can affect travel from late summer into early autumn.

How many people live in Kanagawa?

Roughly 9.2 million.

Kanagawa rewards both a quick day trip and a longer stay. Pick one or two areas, leave room for weather, and enjoy the mix of sea, mountains and history so close to Tokyo.