14 Best Things to Do in Kanagawa

Kanagawa Prefecture is located at southwest of Tokyo, and it may be better known as the name of the capital city “Yokohama”. It’s second most populated and busiest prefecture in Japan. Kanagawa is very popular getaway destination from Tokyo as it’s very accessible and there are plenty attractions such as the modern urban city area, Onsen resorts, historical sites and beautiful beaches.

Here is a brief introduction of Kanagawa prefecture by the author who has grown up in this great prefecture. Check the best things to do in Kanagawa!

With this Kanto Region Bucket List, let’s also check out the surrounding tourist attractions: Best Things to Do in Kanto

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

1. Yokohama Minato Mirai 21

Also known as MM21, it’s Yokohama’s seaside urban area where numbers of business offices, shops, restaurants, entertainment facilities and a harbor are located. Offering the splendid view at night.

More info: Best Things to Do in Minato Mirai area

2. Yokohama China Town

Japan’s largest China Town located near Kan-nai station in Yokohama. The colourful and crowded street is lined with Chinese restaurants and shops. Visit there for events and festivals around Chinese New Year time.

More info: Yokohama Chinatown

3. Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is the biggest amusement park in the prefecture, with a huge aquarium and plenty of rides.

▶ Book Tickets for Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise!

4. Kamakura

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan! Kamakura is a small old town with full of great history and its treasures. Enjoy temple hopping, the great Buddha and eat-and-walk in a shopping street called “Komachi Dori” which is perfect for souvenir shopping.

More info: Best Things to Do in Kamakura

5. Enoshima

If you are visiting Kamakura, don’t forget to stop by at nearby touristy island called Enoshima which offers a variety of attractions including a shrine, park, observation tower, caves and great beach.

More info: Best Things to Do in Enoshima

6. Beaches (Shonan Area)

Kanagawa prefecture is so fortunate to be gifted with great ocean. The area called Shonan is the cities along the coastline with numbers of beaches where locals surf and enjoy their seaside life. It’s one of the greatest spots to view Mt.Fuji from the beach!

More info: Best Things to Do in Shonan area

7. Kawasaki

Kawasaki is the second biggest city in Kanagawa Prefecture after Yokohama and it’s situated right on the border with Tokyo. The popularity of Kawasaki has been growing as numbers of attractions and interesting thing can be found there. From the majestic shrine to Doraemon Museum, check out the best things to do in Kawasaki from the link below!

More info: Best Things to Do in Kawasaki

8. Odawara

Westend of Kanagawa prefecture. Odawara is known for the station for Shinkansen (bullet trains) yet it’s worth to explore as it’s a small historic town with famous Odawara castle and temples. The castle is one of the most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing.

9. Hakone

Very popular getaway from Tokyo. Hakone is an Onsen(hotspring) resort with great mountains surrounded. The view of Mt.Fuji over Lake Ashi is outstanding. For those who are not very familiar to Japanese public bath culture, Hakone Yunessun is the great place as it can be entered with swim wears.

More info: Best Things to Do in Hakone

10. Mt Oyama

Mt Oyama is situated in Isehara City. It’s one of the most popular hiking spots around Tokyo. The mountain in located within Tanzawa-Oyama Quasi National Park in the northwest of Kanagawa prefecture, which consists of mountains, forest, dam, river, lake and waterfall. You can enjoy a pleasant hike being surrounded by the rich and beautiful nature as well as visiting a sacred mountain shrine and spotting Mt Fuji when the visibility is good.

More info: Mt. Oyama: Hike on the Sacred Mountain in Kanagawa!

11. Seafood

Kanagawa is a great place to taste seafood, especially Tuna and Shirasu (whitebait). One of the best places to enjoy Japanese tuna is Misaki port in Miura Peninsula which is in southeast of Kanagawa prefecture. Misaki is the 2nd port in Japan for catch of most tuna.

12. Ramen

Ramen is one of most popular dishes in the prefecture. Yokohama Iekei Ramen is a type of Ramen from Kanagawa prefecture and known for rich taste with pork based soya soup and thick and straight noodles. The Ramen Museum is located in Yokohama, which is one of top tourist sights.

Related article: Yokohama Ramen Museum

13. Appreciate the Mt Fuji View

Kanagawa Prefecture has numbers of amazing viewing spots of the symbol of Japan, Mt Fuji. On the article below, some lesser known Mt Fuji viewing spots can be found!

14. Cherry Blossom Viewing

Cherry blossom is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan in spring, and there are lots of places to see cherry blossoms in Kanagawa as well as Odawara Castle. People visit temples and shrines in the popular historical town Kamakura in the sakura season: For example, Kenchoji Temple and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Some landmarks in Yokohama including Minato Mirai 21 and Sankeien Garden also feature cherry blossoms.

▽Check more places for cherry blossom viewing in Kanagawa!▽

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▽Here are the attractions you should experience across Japan with this Japan Bucket List!▽

Check best things to do in other prefectures in Kanto below!

Are you also looking for the things to do in the area near Kanagawa?
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