If you still need to learn, Kanagawa prefecture is one of the up-and-coming destinations in Japan to visit for 2018. This is because it is located closest to Tokyo and is one of the exciting places in Japan that many need to learn about.
When you talk about Japan, most people will tell you about Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido or Nagoya as places they have visited.
Kanagawa Tourism at Matta Fair
But only some will tell you to go to Kanagawa, and sometimes we wonder why. Is there not enough information about this prefecture?
But only some will tell you to go to Kanagawa, and sometimes we wonder why. Is there not enough information about this prefecture?
In this article, I will share information on Kanagawa and its interesting places to visit. At the last Matta Fair 2017, Kanagawa Tourism was present at the Japan booth and provided much information about the many places around here.
Where is Kanagawa?
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| The beautiful & vibrant city of Yokohama, photo by www.yokoosojapan.com. |
In the Southern Kanto Region, Kanagawa is part of the greater Tokyo region, and the capital city is Yokohama.
It only takes about half an hour to train from Tokyo and can be visited on a day trip. It is also well known for the areas of Hakone and Kamakura, which are popular tourist destinations.
Kanagawa boasts multiple tourist attractions and sites, and the best option for visitors here is to spend a few nights in Yokohama. This will allow you to explore the prefecture without having to travel far.
Alternatively, you can also stay at Odawara city, which is around half-hour of Tokyo, via the Shinkansen bullet train. Odawara is much closer to Mount Fuji and Hakone, making travel a little easier.
What to do in Kanagawa?
Alternatively, you can also stay at Odawara city, which is around half-hour of Tokyo, via the Shinkansen bullet train. Odawara is much closer to Mount Fuji and Hakone, making travel a little easier.
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| The pirate ship cruise at Lake Ashi with a Mt.Fuji view. |
You will be surprised by the number of things you can do in the Kanagawa region. The most popular is visiting Mount Fuji, the icon of Japan.
But exploring further will open up other unique and exciting places in Kanagawa. Kanagawa is the place to check out if you love the outdoors.
But exploring further will open up other unique and exciting places in Kanagawa. Kanagawa is the place to check out if you love the outdoors.
Other places of interest include Hakone, home to many Buddhist and Shinto shrines and rich with traditional Japanese culture.
Odawara is also well known for the traditional Japanese castles, and Lake Ashi is known for the ship cruises with amazing views. Below is a list of things to do in Kanagawa.
1. Get the Best View of Mount Fuji
Odawara is also well known for the traditional Japanese castles, and Lake Ashi is known for the ship cruises with amazing views. Below is a list of things to do in Kanagawa.
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| A different view of Mount Fuji in Kanagawa is rarely seen in photos. |
Mount Fuji is located about two hours from Odawara city and is the most popular mountain in entire Japan, and if you want to see the best view of Mount Fuji, I recommend you visit Hakone for this.
Many travellers either stay around the Mount Fuji area in traditional homestays or Ryokan's to experience this in the winter or spring.
Another popular choice is staying at an Onsen or a traditional Japanese hot spring resort in Hakone.
Many travellers either stay around the Mount Fuji area in traditional homestays or Ryokan's to experience this in the winter or spring.
Another popular choice is staying at an Onsen or a traditional Japanese hot spring resort in Hakone.
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| Yokohama City at night with beautiful lights. Photo by www.ietf.org. |
2. Explore Yokohama
The closest large city to Tokyo and only 30 minutes by train is Yokohama, the second-largest city in Japan. There is so much to see and do in Yokohama; I can't even list all of them.
But the famous places include Yokohama Chinatown (One of the largest in the world) and Yamashita Park for its natural beauty, which is perfect for nature lovers.
Other places include the Red Brick Warehouse Park, Isezakichō and Noge for fusion and lifestyle food lovers, Motomachi shopping area, Minato Mirai 21 harbourside, Queen's Square Yokohama and Shin-Yokohama district where you can find the famous Ramen museum.
3. Visit the Western Area of Kanagawa
But the famous places include Yokohama Chinatown (One of the largest in the world) and Yamashita Park for its natural beauty, which is perfect for nature lovers.
Other places include the Red Brick Warehouse Park, Isezakichō and Noge for fusion and lifestyle food lovers, Motomachi shopping area, Minato Mirai 21 harbourside, Queen's Square Yokohama and Shin-Yokohama district where you can find the famous Ramen museum.
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| Odawara Castle sunset. Photo by Agustin Rafael Reyes. |
Located in the western area of Kanagawa, this place is home to the Odawara Castle, one of the important castles of Japan built in the mid-15th century, which was also the entrance city to Hakone.
Odawara is also best visited in Autumn as the natural landscapes provide a Japanese autumn experience.
Nature lovers will find the Kanagawa area very interesting too. For those into the seaside or even scuba diving, visit Enoura town, which is well known for this sport.
For Onsen lovers, visit Tenzan Onsen, one of Odawara's recommended Japanese hot springs. You will also find that the Fuji-Hakone Izu National Park has some fantastic scenery.
Odawara is also best visited in Autumn as the natural landscapes provide a Japanese autumn experience.
Nature lovers will find the Kanagawa area very interesting too. For those into the seaside or even scuba diving, visit Enoura town, which is well known for this sport.
For Onsen lovers, visit Tenzan Onsen, one of Odawara's recommended Japanese hot springs. You will also find that the Fuji-Hakone Izu National Park has some fantastic scenery.
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| The Great Buddha, or Kamakura Daibutsu, is one of the main attractions in Kamakura. |
4. Cultural Kamakura
If you love Japanese temples and shrines, Kamakura is the place to visit. This 800-year-old historical city sat by the southern Japanese coast and was once the Shogunate capital of Japan.
You can also find over 20 Buddhist and Shinto shrines throughout Kamakura, where Kamakura Daibutsu is among the most famous.
Another reason why many people visit Kamakura is that many traditional Japanese festivals and events are held here. This small town is recommended for anyone wanting something laid back and different.
You can also find over 20 Buddhist and Shinto shrines throughout Kamakura, where Kamakura Daibutsu is among the most famous.
Another reason why many people visit Kamakura is that many traditional Japanese festivals and events are held here. This small town is recommended for anyone wanting something laid back and different.
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| The Fujiko F. Fujio Museum in Kawasaki is also known as the Doraemon museum. |
5. Visit the Doraemon Museum in Kawasaki
For Doraemon fans, this is the home of Doraemon, a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Fujiko F. Fujio.
The museum is called the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, but commonly known to everyone as the Doraemon Museum.
If you are staying in Yokohama, arriving via train takes only one hour. Every Malaysian or Southeast Asian knows Doraemon, and this is the ultimate visit to the home of the cute little Japanese blue cat.
6. Japanese Shrine in Lake Ashi
The museum is called the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, but commonly known to everyone as the Doraemon Museum.
If you are staying in Yokohama, arriving via train takes only one hour. Every Malaysian or Southeast Asian knows Doraemon, and this is the ultimate visit to the home of the cute little Japanese blue cat.
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| The famous Hakone Shrine or Hakone Jinja at Lake Ashi. Photo by www.linaka.co.uk. |
Lake Ashi is among the most popular Japanese lakes in the Hakone area of Kanagawa. People come here to see the famous red Hakone shrine or Hakone Jinja on the lake and get that Instagram or Facebook photo.
From this lake, you can also get some of the best photos of Mount Fuji in the background, different from the ones you usually see.
There are also sightseeing cruises along this lake and many nature activities.
From this lake, you can also get some of the best photos of Mount Fuji in the background, different from the ones you usually see.
There are also sightseeing cruises along this lake and many nature activities.
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| View of Mount Fuji from an Onsen in Hakone. |
7. Try the Hakone Onsen
Hakone is a small town, a gateway to Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi and designated as a Geopark by UNESCO. But what people come here for is usually the famous traditional Japanese hot springs or Onsen.
Undoubtedly, Onsen is found all over Japan; Hakone is one of the main areas for Onsen, as many are found here, ranging from Ryokan to Resorts.
One of the main reasons is the hot spring waters and the impeccable views of Mount Fuji in the background.
The above are just some of the places in Kanagawa that you can explore, as there are many more untouched or non-commercialized areas worth visiting.
You can also check out the Kanagawa Prefectural Government website for more information on Kanagawa.
Hopefully, Kanagawa Tourism will attend the next Matta Fair in March or September. This all depends, and if more people are visiting Kanagawa from now till then, they may participate.
This is the best place to get first-hand information on Kanagawa and its surroundings.
Undoubtedly, Onsen is found all over Japan; Hakone is one of the main areas for Onsen, as many are found here, ranging from Ryokan to Resorts.
One of the main reasons is the hot spring waters and the impeccable views of Mount Fuji in the background.
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| One of the hot springs in Hakone. |
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| Kanagawa is your next destination in Japan. |
Conclusion
The above are just some of the places in Kanagawa that you can explore, as there are many more untouched or non-commercialized areas worth visiting.
You can also check out the Kanagawa Prefectural Government website for more information on Kanagawa.
Hopefully, Kanagawa Tourism will attend the next Matta Fair in March or September. This all depends, and if more people are visiting Kanagawa from now till then, they may participate.
This is the best place to get first-hand information on Kanagawa and its surroundings.