Kanagawa - prefecture of Japan
Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県 Kanagawa-ken) is located to the southwest of Tokyo in Japan.
Cities
- Yokohama - prefectural capital and second-largest city in Japan
- Fujisawa
- Fujino
- Kawasaki - Tokyo suburb with a few offbeat attractions, including the famous Iron Penis Shrine
- Yokosuka - site of a large US naval base
- Enoshima - island of temples and surf city
- Kamakura - ancient capital home to many, many temples
- Odawara - famous for Odawara Castle
- Sagamihara - a large suburb near the American military base, Camp Zama
- Chigasaki - not so big city, nearby sea, famous for the artist "Southern allstars"
- Miura
- Zushi
- Manazuru Peninsula - coastal resort on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula southwest of Tokyo.
- Futamatagawa
Other destinations
- Atsugi - hiking in the central part of Kanagawa
- Hakone - part of a large national park known for its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji
Understand
Kanagawa prefecture has the second largest population in Japan and its economic activity is much the same as Korea.
Get in
Get around
By train
Around the Miura Peninsula, Keikyu has a practical monopoly on transport, with its trains and buses being cheaper and more extensive than JR. They offer one-day passes which are good deals if you want to explore the area (as well as Tokyo area passes for travelers from Yokohama). Inquire at Shinagawa or Yokohama station for details.
For Enoshima and Kamakura, JR Tokaido Line (東海道線), Yokosuka Line (横須賀線), and Shonan Shinjuku Line (湘南新宿ライン) is a convenient way. Narita Express Train has direct service to Ofuna Station, two stations from Kamakura Station.
See
- The temples of Kamakura
- The Kibune Matsuri of Manazuru, Important intangible folk cultural property of Japan.
- Yugawara, Manazuru — for hot springs and coastal resort, eating sashimi and mikan, views of Manazuru Peninsula, some festivals (Matsuri).
- The beaches of Miura
- Yokohama Chinatown, the largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the largest in the world
- Lake Ashi (Ashikomo) in the Hakone area
- Enoshima, a laid-back island and seaside town
- Kawasaki Daishi, a large temple and the headquarters of the Chizan sect of Shingon Buddhism, in Kawasaki
Do
Kanagawa has a great variety of outdoor activities available, including hiking, mountaineering, sea kayaking, rock climbing and paragliding. Kanto Mountain Adventures leads rock climbing, hiking trips, and more in the area. There are many great hikes easily accessible by train, especially the Odakyu line.
Hiking is available around Honatsugi, Isehara, Shibusawa, and Hadano in the nearby Tanzawa Mountains. The Hakone Mountains also offers plenty of hiking opportunities.
Check out Yugawara for rock climbing and hiking. There is also a "famous" foot Onsen in Yugawara along with some shrines and temples. Another easy day hike is Mount Oyama, which can be accessed from Isehara Station on the Odakyu-Odawara Line. A bus runs from Isehara Station to the bottom of a cable car station next to the Oyama-dera Shrine. At the top of the cable car, the trail to the peak of the mountain starts, and takes approximately an hour and a half for the average hiker. At the summit, one can get a view of the coastal towns and ocean, the other Tanzawa Mountains, and Mt. Fuji on a good day. The Oyamaafuri Shrine is also located at the top.
If you like beaches, Enoshima is the most popular one, and gets very crowded in the summer time. Windsurfing is a popular activity there, as the waves are rarely big enough for regular surfing due to the surrounding landmass. Enoshima itself is the island right next to the beach connected by a 600-meter bridge. There is a tower at the top of the island, where you can get a view of Mt. Fuji, the ocean, Oshima, and the Shonan Coast (the stretch of beaches in Kanagawa). To the west of Enoshima, across the Katase River, is Chigasaki Beach, which is also very famous. It is a small, but relaxing beach. There is a big symbol "C" for Chigasaki, which is a popular picture taking spot. In August, they have a Fireworks Festival.
Eat
- Shirasu (baby sardine) pizza (シラスピザ) at Enoshima Aquarium (えのすい) .
- Benten Pizza, 2-5-17 Enoshima, on the road to the cave. - The cafe has beautiful views and a relaxing atmosphere. In the evening it is possible to relax by candlelight and enjoy a beer or two.
- Enoden monaka (江ノ電モナカ) - A wafer cake filled with bean jam in the shape of the local Enoden train.
- Pigeon cookies (鳩サブレー) . These are regular plain cookies in the shape of a pigeon - not made from pigeon!