Kanagawa Travel Guide for Japanese Learners
The Great Buddha of Kamakura, the port city of Yokohama, and Hakone's hot springs.
Just south of Tokyo, Kanagawa packs in the seaside temple-town of Kamakura, cosmopolitan Yokohama with its big Chinatown, and the onsen-and-views resort of Hakone with Mount Fuji on clear days.
History & background
Kanagawa (神奈川) was Japan's medieval capital: Kamakura (鎌倉) ruled as the seat of the shogunate from 1185, and its bronze Great Buddha (大仏) has sat in the open air since the 13th century. Yokohama (横浜) opened to the world in 1859.
What to see
- The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura
- Hakone hot springs and Lake Ashi
- Yokohama Minato Mirai and Chinatown
- Enoshima island
Hidden gems
- Manazuru Peninsula offers dramatic coastal cliffs and a historic lighthouse with fewer crowds than Enoshima, perfect for seaside hiking and photography.
- Kawagoe-style warehouses in Odawara showcase Edo-period merchant architecture and sake breweries you can tour, less touristy than central Kamakura.
- Sarugashima Island near Hakone provides intimate lake views and hiking without the crowds of more famous Mount Fuji viewing spots.
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What to eat
Yokohama Chinatown and shirasu (whitebait) near Enoshima.
Getting there & when to go
Getting there: Yokohama ~30 min, Kamakura ~1h, Hakone ~1h25m from Tokyo by train.
Best time: Clear winter days give the best Mount Fuji views from Hakone.
When to go — season by season
Clear, dry winter days give the sharpest Mount Fuji views from Hakone (箱根). Early summer hydrangeas line Kamakura's temple lanes; autumn colours Hakone's slopes.
Local culture
Kamakura's temple neighborhoods maintain centuries-old craft traditions—you'll notice woodworkers and stone artisans still operating small studios along quiet streets, preserving techniques passed through generations and creating pieces sold directly to visitors.
Yokohama's waterfront reflects its 1860s opening to foreign trade; locals still distinguish 'old Chinatown' (Chinese residents' quarter) from 'new Chinatown,' and this historical awareness shapes neighborhood pride and architecture choices throughout the port area.
A suggested visit
Do Kamakura's Great Buddha and Hase-dera (長谷寺) in a day from Tokyo, or ride the Hakone loop — train, cablecar, and a Lake Ashi (芦ノ湖) cruise — using the Hakone Free Pass.
Seasonal tip: Visit Hakone's open-air museums and ropeway in late April–early May (tsutsujiseason) when azaleas bloom prolifically around Lake Ashi, offering color and fewer summer crowds.
Local etiquette: When visiting Kamakura's temples, remove shoes before entering main halls and keep voices low—these are active worship spaces where monks conduct daily practice, not just tourist attractions.
The Hakone Free Pass covers the loop of trains, cablecars, and pirate ship around Lake Ashi.
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Common questions
Q. What's the best time to visit Hakone to see Mount Fuji?
A. Winter offers the clearest skies for Mount Fuji views from Hakone. Visit on bright, dry days after cold fronts pass through; morning light is sharpest before haze builds.
Q. Can I visit Kamakura and Yokohama in one day from Tokyo?
A. Yes—Kamakura is ~1 hour from Tokyo, Yokohama ~30 minutes. Visit Kamakura's Great Buddha first, then head to Yokohama's Minato Mirai and Chinatown to maximize daylight.
Q. What local food should I try in Kanagawa?
A. Shirasu (tiny whitebait) is a regional specialty near Enoshima, often served fresh over rice. Yokohama's Chinatown also offers authentic ramen and dumplings worth seeking out.