odawara castle
Odawara castle is a must see place when visiting Kanagawa

The Hakone Hot Springs, Shonan Beach, Doraemon Museum in Kawasaki are must-see spots in Kanagawa, which takes only 30 minutes of transit from Tokyo. Now, let’s explore Top 10 best places to visit in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan with Living Nomad below.

kanagawa japan

kanagawa
Kanagawa castle
Hakone Ashino lake,Kanagawa Prefecture,Japan
Hakone Ashino lake,Kanagawa Prefecture,Japan

1. Yokohama Landmark Tower

Kanagawa-tower

Being one of the tallest towers in Japan (269 m), this gives you a panoramic view of the vibrant port city and Mount Fuji from distance on the 69th floor. Within the tower, there are many shops, cafes, multi purpose hall … for visitors who enjoy shopping and trying the cuisine.

1200px-Yokohama_Landmark_Tower_201507

1200px-Yokohama_Landmark_Tower_201507

 

  • Address: 2 Chome-2-1 Minatomirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0012, Japan.
  • Opening hours: 24 hours

2. Sankeien Garden

sankeien-garden-photo

Opened by Sankei Hara, a rich merchant since 1906, the garden is located in Yokohama City. It features scenes from other places in Japan such as Kyoto, Kamakura, Shirakawago, Tokyo, Wakayama. Plus, lots of plum blossom and cherry are grown here. The best time to visit Sankeien Garden is in autumn when romantic, unique red and yellow tone of leaves take up space.

sankeien garden photo by the tokyo times
Sankeien garden. Photo by the Tokyo Times

sankeien-garden-photo

  • Address: 58-1 Honmokusannotani, Naka Ward, 横浜市中区 Kanagawa Prefecture 231-0824, Japan.
  • Opening hours: 9AM–5PM
  • Phone: +81 45-621-0634

3. Yokohama Chinatown

Yokohama Chinatown
Yokohama Chinatown

For a country that has cultural and historical identities like Japan, it may sound strange that there is also a Chinatown in Kanagawa. It is the largest Chinatown in Japan as well as in Asia, with approximately 3,000-4,000 people currently living and working. Pay a visit here and you will see hundreds of shops selling the finest Chinese food, many unique architectural works presenting the culture of a “billion-people” country and in harmony with the indigenous culture at the same time.

3.Yokohama Chinatown

3.Yokohama Chinatown

Zenrimon gate in chukagai yokohama
Zenrimon Gate in Chukagai Yokohama

3.Yokohama Chinatown

  • Address: Yamashitacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 231-0023, Japan
  • Phone: +81 45-681-6022

4. Great Buddha of Kamakura

Daibutsu, Great Buddha of Kamakura
Great Buddha of Kamakura

This 121 ton and 13 meters Buddha is one of the largest statue in Japan. Located in Kamakura, west of the Mura peninsula, Kamamura staute attracts thousands of Buddhists to visit over the last 800 years. Under severe weather and been through many historical events as well as the destruction of natural disasters, the building is a “must” when in Kanagawa.

Big Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura's Kotokuin Temple
Big Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura’s Kotokuin Temple

Big Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura's Kotokuin Temple

5. Lake Ashinoko

Lake Ashinoko
The stunning beauty of Lake Ashinoko

Take a boat trip on Lake Ashinoko in the Hakone area, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake, the view of Mount Fuji and the traditional Torii gates of Japan from distance. You can also book a volcanic tour here.

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This great lake viewd from above
Ashinoko Lake Japan 6
Fantastic Blue jade water
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A luxury ship in the middle of this lake
Ashinoko Lake Japan 10
A closer look at this ship
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Feel the tranquility there by drifting in cruises
Ashinoko Lake Japan 5
Another incredible shot of this venue

6. Shonan Beach

Shonan Beach
Sunset at Shonan Beach, one of top destinations in Kanagawa.

Shonan is a paradise for surfers. You can also enjoy the view of Mount Fuji from here. This is, perhaps, the most famous beach in Japan with wide, beautiful coastline and many interesting activities- a must visit when you come to Kanagawa in summer.. The holiday peak here lasts 6 weeks, from mid-July to late August.

A view of Mount Fuji from the beach
A view of Mount Fuji from the beach

shonan beach

shonan beach

7. Odawara Castle

Odawara castle

Located in the Hakone area, the castle was built in mid-15th century with the tower being restored in 1960. Inside, the castle is used as a museum that holds historical records. If you climb up to the top floor, you will see the skyline of Sagami Bay stretching ahead. Lots of cherry blossom, plum, rhubarb, iris … are planted around the castle.

odawara castle
Odawara castle is a must see place when visiting Kanagawa

Odawara castle

Odawara castle

Odawara castle gate
Odawara castle gate
  • Address: Jonai, Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0014, Japan
  • Opening hours: 9AM–5PM
  • Phone: +81 465-22-3818

8. Hot spring resort in Hakone

Hakone-Onsen
Hakone Onsen

For centuries, Hakone’s been one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Japan. Here, you are offered plenty of options to experience onsen baths with dozens of addresses that provide both outdoor and indoor baths. Many bath tubs overlooking the majestic Mount Fuji!

Hakone hotspring

Gora-Kadan-Hakone-Japan osaka ryokan

  • Address: 1634 Wakayanagi, Midori Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture 252-0175, Japaneses:
  • Opening hours: 9AM–6PM
  • Phone: +81 42-685-1111

9. Sagamiko Illumination Forest

Sagamiko Illumination Forest 1

Sagamiko is an amusement park in Kanagawa. Famous for its sparkling jungle and home to the biggest light festival in Japan, Sagamiko is appealing to worldwide tourists. What’s more? The park also has a lot of camping sites, and entertainment such as roller coaster, mountain biking …

Sagamiko Illumination Forest 1

  • Address: 1634 Wakayanagi, Midori Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture 252-0175, Japan
  • Phone:+81 42-685-1111
  • Opening hours: 9AM–6PM

10. Doraemon Museum

DoraemonMuseum_kanagawa

Located in Kawasaki City, the museum brings you back to your childhood with familiar images in the popular comic “Doraemon”. Here, you can learn about the origin of the story, the author and purchase the items related to the story or take pictures in the open-air scene description of the story …

Doremon museum
Photo: Japanlist.

DoraemonMuseum_kanagawa

10.-Doremon.jpg3 museum

  • Address: 2 Chome-8-1 Nagao, Tama Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture 214-0023, Japan
  • Opening hours: 10AM–6:30PM
  • Phone: +81 570-055-245

Kanagawa is Japan’s second largest populated prefecture, just afterTokyo. Located just south of Tokyo, it takes only 30 minutes of transport from Narita to Yokohama- the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture. The 16th overseas representative office of the Japan Tourism Promotion Agency was opened in Hanoi on March 28.

kanagawa at night

In 2016, Vietnam welcomed more than 740,000 Japanese tourists, increasing by 10.3% from 2015. The number of Vietnamese visitors to Japan reached 234,000, increasing 26% from 2015. According to Japan Tourism Agency, Vietnamese tourists have the highest expenditure in Japan, reaching about 237,000 yen / person / trip (more than 47 million).