If you want to experience the great outdoors in Japan, then Kanagawa is a top spot, and you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, paragliding, and kayaking here. As well as hiking and mountaineering, you can also enjoy the surf in Kanagawa, with beaches such as Enoshima where you can try your hand at windsurfing.
Getting to Kanagawa:
There are different ways to get to Kanagawa prefecture depending on where visitors wish to go, however, the most popular way to access Kanagawa is to travel first to its capital city of Yokohama.
There are several train lines that run from Tokyo to Yokohama including the Tokyu Toyoko Line which takes around 25 minutes aboard a limited express or an express train. These trains also continue on Minato Mirai in Kanagawa. Visitors can also take the JR Tokaido Line which takes 25 minutes at a cost of ¥470 or the JR Yokosuka Line which takes 30 minutes and costs ¥470. For an even faster journey, the JR Tokaido Shinkansen takes 15 minutes from Tokyo to Shin-Yokohama.
Tourist Attractions:
Great Buddha of Kamakura:
Kamakura is a seaside town in Kanagawa which is famous for its Buddha statue that weighs in at an amazing 121 tones. The Buddha has been in place for over 800 years and is known for having withstood earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis. The Buddha used to sit inside a temple hall, although this was washed away by a large tidal wave and battered by a typhoon, and nowadays the Buddha is open to the elements for all to see. It stands at 13.35 meters, which makes it the second largest bronze Buddha in all of Japan. The closest train station to the Buddha is Hase Station and it is about a 10 minute walk from the station to the site. Admission to the temple complex and statue is ¥200.
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Yokohama Landmark Tower:
One of the tallest buildings in Japan, Yokohama Landmark Tower has 73 floors and is the best place to come to check out the stunning skyline of Yokohama. Visitors can look out over the city from the 69th floor which features the Sky Garden Observatory and in clear weather it is possible to take in views over Yokohama and neighboring Tokyo. It is also sometimes possible to see as far as Mount Fuji, and it is said that the best time to come is around dusk, when the mountain is often visible in the background. The tower is easily accessible from Minato Mirai Station and admission to the observatory is ¥1,000.
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Lake Ashinoko:
Lake Ashinoko is one of the jewels in the crown of Kanagawa and features a stunning mountain lake surrounded by vibrant scenery. From the lake, visitors can look out over other attractions such as Mount Fuji and Hakone Shrine. The lake itself is a caldera that is part of Mount Hakone, a volcano that is still active to this day. For those who want to get out on the water, the lake can be explored by boat and there are several companies that offer trips. There are also paddle boats and rowing boats available for anyone who wants to go it alone.
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Shopping and Duty Free:
Yokohama World Porters:
Located in Yokohama, Yokohama World Porters is a large shopping mall built in 1999. The mall is famous in the city as it features over 200 different stores that sell women’s and men’s apparel, accessories, electronics, and home furnishings. There are also food outlets, restaurants, and cafes in the mall as well as an 8-screen cinema. The mall is easily accessed from Bashamichi Station and is open from 10 am to 11 pm daily.
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Lazona Kawasaki Plaza:
Close to Kawasaki Station is Lazona Kawasaki Plaza which is one of the most popular shopping spots in Kawasaki. The mall has over 300 stores and as a result visitors can find a huge array of products, from clothing to home furnishings, and anything else in between. There is also a wealth of restaurants in the mall in case visitors want to stop shopping and have something to eat. The mall is open from 10 am to 11 pm daily.
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Yokohama Chinatown:
Yokohama Chinatown is famous for being one of the largest Chinatowns in the world and has an illustrious history, having stood in Yokohama for over 10 years. Visitors to Yokohama Chinatown will find over 500 shops and restaurants and there is a strong street food culture here so that it is easy to grab a snack while shopping. Yokohama Chinatown is open from 9 am to 7 pm and is close to Ishikawa-cho Station.
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Deals:
For those travelling around the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa, the Keikyu Line is known as being one of the best and easiest ways to get around. They operate both trains and buses and have a one-day pass which offers good value for money for anyone wanting to explore the area at length.
Recommended times to visit:
The weather in Kanagawa is split into four distinct seasons, namely spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Visitors flock to Kanagawa in the spring time from March to May and also in the autumn from September to November, as these are widely believed to be the best times to visit when the weather it at its most pleasant. The summer months, from June through to August can be hot and humid and this is also the rainy season and it can rain every day during this time. Showers are usually short and sharp and do not last all day, however this can be challenging for tourists. The winter months in Kanagawa are cool with average highs of 10C, so anyone who wants to avoid the cold should not visit from December to February time.
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