- Attractions by Region -
Harbor night views, an ancient samurai capital, and iconic hot springs—Kanagawa distills the best of a Tokyo-adjacent resort getaway.
Yokohama Minato Mirai
Landmark Tower, a giant Ferris wheel, and the Red Brick Warehouse shape one of Japan’s signature nightscapes. Excellent shopping and dining round it out.
Kamakura: Great Buddha & Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Once the seat of samurai culture, Kamakura charms with temples through the seasons—Hasedera, Meigetsuin’s hydrangeas, and the stately Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.
Hakone Hot Springs
Roughly 90 minutes by Shinkansen + bus from Tokyo. Stay in Gora or Yumoto, pair art with nature at the Open-Air Museum, and gaze at Mt. Fuji over Lake Ashi.
A symbol of Yokohama Harbor, these Meiji-era brick warehouses now house stylish shops and restaurants amid preserved historic scenery.
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse & Park
Originally built in the Meiji era, the historic brick warehouses have been reborn as a waterfront complex for fashion, gifts, and dining—an icon of the port city.
The park in front hosts seasonal events like Oktoberfest and the Christmas Market, drawing crowds against the backdrop of Minato Mirai. The sunset glow and nighttime illuminations add romance.
After dark, the lit-up warehouses and skyline turn magical—perfect for a stroll. With Yamashita Park and Osanbashi Pier nearby, it’s an easy hub for exploring Yokohama.
A dramatic geothermal valley on Hakone Volcano—famous for sulfur vents, Mt. Fuji views, and “black eggs.”
Owakudani
Formed by a major eruption about 3,000 years ago, Owakudani still breathes with sulfurous steam rising from the earth. From the 1,044 m observation deck, enjoy sweeping views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and even Sagami Bay on clear days. The stark, sulfur-stained landscape feels truly primal.
The local specialty “black eggs” are boiled in volcanic hot springs, reacting with iron and hydrogen sulfide to blacken the shells; folklore says one egg adds seven years to your life. Shops sell hot-spring sweets and sulfur-scented cosmetics—souvenirs born of the volcano.
Hakone Ropeway’s Owakudani Station puts everything at your feet. Winter brings crisp views of snowcapped Fuji; in autumn the slopes blaze red. Check gas advisories and savor the thrilling scenery safely.
Japan’s largest Chinatown, with about 500 restaurants and shops beneath ornate gates—perfect for dim sum crawls and street eats.
Yokohama Chinatown
With some 150 years of history, Yokohama’s Chinatown is among Japan’s largest, home to roughly 500 eateries and souvenir shops. Red gates (pailou) and Chinese-style buildings set a richly atmospheric scene.
Feast as you go: steamed buns, xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), pan-fried versions, char siu, and specialties from Sichuan, Beijing, Cantonese, and Shanghai kitchens.
Lunar New Year brings parades and dragon dances; year-end fireworks and Mid-Autumn Moon Festival festivities keep the calendar lively year-round.
Urban amusement park in Minato Mirai with 30+ rides—anchored by the 112.5 m Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel.
Yokohama Cosmo World
This compact city-center park offers roller coasters, family rides, and its star attraction: the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel soaring 112.5 m.
After dusk, the wheel and skyline illuminate, setting a romantic tone. Entry is free; pay per ride—check hours and prices in advance.
Steps from Sakuragicho and Minatomirai Stations, it pairs easily with Landmark Tower or Red Brick Warehouse sightseeing.
Hakone’s oldest hot-spring town (dating to the Nara era). Stroll the river, soak, shop, and snack—day trips or stays both shine.
Hakone-Yumoto
Step off Hakone Tozan Railway at the gateway station and follow the Hayakawa ravine where classic ryokan and shops line steamy lanes. The mildly alkaline springs are gentle on skin—beloved for a silky finish.
Around Yumoto Bridge, try onsen manju and join wood marquetry (yosegi) workshops. Over 10 day-spa options and casual foot baths await; spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage paint the ravine.
With the Hakone Freepass hub here, transfers to Gora, Owakudani, and Lake Ashi are seamless—making it a year-round base for both overnighters and day trippers.
The Sky Garden observatory at 273 m offers 360° views—from Yokohama Harbor to Mt. Fuji on clear days.
Yokohama Landmark Tower (Sky Garden)
Perched on the 69th floor at about 273 m, the glass-walled Sky Garden spans a full 360°, overlooking the harbor, Fuji, and the Boso Peninsula on clear days.
A café inside invites lingering with the view. Nightfall brings sparkling city lights, and winter illuminations add festive glow.
The connected Landmark Plaza mall packs dining and shops. Minutes from Minatomirai Station, it’s a staple for families and couples.
A swimsuit-friendly hot-spring theme park—Mediterranean pools, coffee baths, wine baths, slides, and kids’ zones.
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun
Enjoy onsen like a warm-water theme park in the swimsuit area, from wide Mediterranean-style baths to quirky “coffee” and “wine” soaks. The “Rodeo Mountain” slide runs even in winter steam.
The facility has two zones: Yunessun (swimsuits) and Mori no Yu (traditional onsen). In the latter, find classic soaking and a stone sauna. With cafés and restaurants on-site, you can spend a full day.
From Sounzan via Owakudani to Togendai in about 24 minutes—panoramas of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi from spacious gondolas.
Hakone Ropeway
Stretching roughly 4 km from Sounzan to Togendai via Owakudani and Ubako, the ropeway treats riders to Fuji, Lake Ashi, and Sagami Bay views on clear days.
Fall foliage burns crimson across the slopes; Owakudani offers famous black eggs and hot-spring sweets. It’s a highlight of the classic Hakone loop from Gora.
Flagship of the Combined Fleet in the Russo-Japanese War—preserved in Yokosuka to learn naval history with Tokyo Bay views.
Memorial Ship Mikasa
Built by Vickers in the UK and commissioned in 1902, “Mikasa” served as Admiral Togo’s flagship at the 1905 Battle of Tsushima. At 128 m long, she’s one of the world’s three great memorial ships (with Victory and Aurora), preserved in Yokosuka’s Mikasa Park.
Explore restored interiors—wheelhouse, bridge, officers’ quarters—plus 3D/VR battle recreations, actual guns, and extensive exhibits.
From the deck, survey Yokosuka Port and Tokyo Bay. A 15-minute walk from Keikyu Yokosuka-Chuo Station; pair with the Navy Port Cruise and Dobuita Street.
Japan’s oldest genuine mountain railway—zigzags up 80‰ grades with seasonal ravine views and hydrangea illuminations.
Hakone Tozan Railway
From Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto, then the steep switchbacks up to Gora, the scarlet cars trace ravines and rivers with views of the outer rim of Hakone Volcano. The line opened in 1919 and climbs a maximum gradient of 80‰.
In June–July, roughly 10,000 hydrangeas bloom along the route; by night, special trains dim interior lights to glide through illuminated blossoms. Autumn blazes red with maples; winter sees rime and powder.
At Gora, transfer to the cable car and ropeway for Owakudani and Lake Ashi. The Hakone Freepass covers unlimited rides and easy stopovers at highlights like the Open-Air Museum.
Illuminated petrochemical plants in the Keihin Industrial Zone—an unforgettable night view by land or bay cruise.
Kawasaki Factory Nightscape
In the Keihin Industrial Zone, clusters of refineries and power plants glow after dark. At Ukishima and Chidori areas, flames flicker from stacks and hulking structures silhouette against the sky.
Viewpoints include the Kawasaki Marien observatory and Ukishima Park; bay cruises reveal reflections rippling across the water.
Night tours by bus and boat are popular—especially around Silver Week and Christmas—catnip for fans of “industrial scenery.”
Beloved shrine island off Shonan. The Sea Candle lighthouse-obs deck overlooks Mt. Fuji and Sagami Bay; lanes brim with shirasu (whitebait) eats.
Enoshima (Enoshima Shrine & Sea Candle)
Sacred to Benzaiten, Enoshima hosts three shrine halls—Hetsunomiya, Nakatsunomiya, and Okutsunomiya—long revered for matchmaking and arts.
In the Samuel Cocking Garden atop the island, the Sea Candle offers sweeping views of Fuji, Sagami Bay, and the Izu/Boso Peninsulas on clear days.
The approach is lined with eateries serving shirasu bowls and seafood. Summer fireworks paint the night—another reason this coastal icon is so loved.
Hands-on museum about Nissin’s instant noodles—design your own Cup Noodles or make Chicken Ramen from scratch (reservations may be required).
Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama
Explore the inventions of founder Momofuku Ando through interactive exhibits, from the birth of Chicken Ramen to Cup Noodles’ global journey.
The “My Cup Noodles Factory” lets you choose soup and toppings to craft a custom cup to take home.
At “Chicken Ramen Factory,” knead flour to make noodles yourself (booking often required). Check the website for schedules and availability.
One of Kanto’s most venerated shrines. The vermilion “Peace Torii” standing in Lake Ashi is an unmistakable photo icon.
Hakone Shrine (Kuzuryu Shrine) & Peace Torii
Founded in the Heian era, Hakone Shrine bestows safe travels, wish fulfillment, and warding off misfortune. Kuzuryu Shrine (Shingu) within the grounds is famed for matchmaking.
The 8 m lakeside Peace Torii leads down from the precincts to the waterline—an emblem of Hakone. Reflections in the lake create highly photogenic scenes through the seasons.
From Hakone-Yumoto Station, take a bus about 40 minutes; get off at Moto-Hakone Port and walk 10 minutes. Monthly festivals, amulets, and goshuin (seal stamps) are popular with visitors.
Founded by Minamoto no Yoritomo, this is Kamakura’s central shrine—famous for its brilliant vermilion halls and many seasonal festivals.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
A power spot with traditions tied to Minamoto no Yoritomo, it is popularly believed that washing money in sacred spring water boosts fortune. Visitors rinse coins and bills in baskets and take the purified money home.
Statues of Benzaiten and votive ema boards adorn the precincts. Amulets like coin pouches and “treasure koban” charms are available. Surrounded by trees, it’s a serene site bustling with those praying for prosperity.
About 20 minutes on foot from Kamakura Station, near hiking routes to Genjiyama Park. Many pair their visit with Komachi-dori snacking—an essential stop in Kamakura.
Uninhabited island off Yokosuka—beaches, BBQ in summer, and atmospheric fortress ruins dubbed “Laputa Island.”
Sarushima
Just 1.6 km around, Sarushima is reached by regular ferries from Yokosuka. Summer sees swimming, BBQ, and rock fishing.
Once a military outpost, brick tunnels, barracks, and magazines remain—photogenic and evocative, inspiring the “Laputa-like” nickname.
Trails thread the island to the fort ruins; history buffs will enjoy exploring the vestiges of coastal defense.
Hakone’s signature lake with seasonal views—ride cruise or pirate ships and frame Mt. Fuji behind the Peace Torii.
Lake Ashi
Born of volcanic activity, Lake Ashi offers Fuji vistas and scenery that changes with the seasons. Boat cruises—including a “pirate ship”—circulate between ports.
The lakeshore hosts Hakone Shrine and Kuzuryu Shrine Motomiya; summer fireworks ripple across the night waters during the “Lake Ashi Summer Festival Week.”
A vast Japanese garden (opened 1906) dotted with historic buildings relocated from Kyoto and Kamakura—cherry blossoms and autumn foliage shine.
Sankeien Garden
Spanning 175,000 m², Sankeien displays notable structures such as the former Tomyo-ji Main Hall and the old Sankeien Main Hall—transplanted from Kyoto and Kamakura.
The pond-strolling garden glows with spring sakura, summer hydrangeas, and fall leaves. Tea houses serve matcha with views. Pair with Yokohama’s Western-style houses and Harbor View Park nearby.
World’s first ramen theme park—retro Showa streetscape with rotating famous shops offering mini bowls for easy tastings.
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
Step into a townscape circa 1958—ramen’s boom era—and sample styles from across Japan (and beyond). Most shops sell mini bowls, perfect for sharing and comparing.
Exhibits trace ramen’s history; vintage signs and posters add retro charm. A game corner and ramen goods shop keep kids and fans engaged.
Guest shops rotate monthly, sometimes reviving rare styles for limited runs.
Island resort fusing aquariums and rides—dolphin/sea lion shows, four aquarium zones, hotel, marina, and seasonal events.
Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
On the sea off Kanazawa Ward, four aquariums (like Aqua Museum and Dolphin Fantasy) house ~450 species and ~40,000 creatures. Dolphin and sea lion performances are star draws.
The amusement area adds a sea-jutting coaster, Ferris wheel, and family attractions. Night projections and seaside lighting set a dreamy mood.
With on-island hotels, restaurants, and a marina, it’s a full-day playground; fireworks and festivals sparkle year-round.
Historic waterfront park with the ocean liner “Hikawa Maru” permanently moored—roses in spring, golden ginkgo in autumn.
Yamashita Park
Fronting Yokohama Bay, this classic park features lawns, flowerbeds, and the retired ocean liner “Hikawa Maru,” open for tours.
Spring roses perfume the garden; autumn ginkgo lines glow yellow. A short walk links to Chinatown and Red Brick—ideal for stroll itineraries from Sakuragicho.
Dive into the worlds of “Doraemon,” “Perman,” and more—original art, a mini-theater, photo spots, and a themed café.
Fujiko·F·Fujio Museum
See ~2,000 original drawings and materials from the beloved manga creator. Photo ops abound with “Anywhere Door,” “Time Machine,” and friends.
The theater screens exclusive shorts; the café serves character-inspired treats (hello, “Doraemon” pancakes). Sculptures dot the garden for seasonal snapshots.
Japan’s first French-style formal garden (1914)—central fountain, rose garden, craft workshops, and warm conservatories.
Gora Park
A five-minute walk uphill from Gora Station, the geometric beds and grand fountain set a European tone, with ~1,000 roses blooming in spring and autumn.
Try glassblowing, pottery, or sandblasting at the Craft House, and warm up in the cactus and tropical plant greenhouses.
Sip matcha at “Hakuundō” tea house, nibble seasonal sweets at the view café, and catch fall light-ups—nature, culture, and hands-on fun in one hillside oasis.
An 11.3 m outdoor bronze Amida (1252)—a defining symbol of Kamakura with a hollow interior you can enter (paid).
Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kotoku-in)
Cast in 1252 and designated a National Treasure, the 11.3 m Amida once sat under a hall that collapsed repeatedly from quakes and tsunamis—hence today’s iconic open air pose.
The hollow interior (paid entry) reveals construction details. On the grounds, see stone Buddhas, pagodas, and relics that trace Kamakura Buddhism.
A 7-minute walk from Enoden Hase Station, near Hasedera and viewpoints over the bay—hugely popular with international visitors.
Wash your money in sacred cave spring water to invite good fortune—one of Kamakura’s most famous power spots.
Zeniarai Benten Ugafuku Shrine
Legend ties its founding to Minamoto no Yoritomo. Rinse coins and bills in the cave spring to “cleanse” wealth for luck.
Statues of Benzaiten, ema boards, coin pouches, and koban-shaped amulets are popular talismans. Nestled in greenery, it’s lively with prosperity-seekers.
About 20 minutes on foot from Kamakura Station; near trails such as Genjiyama Park. Many combine it with Komachi-dori bites.
Known as the “Hydrangea Temple” with ~750 bushes in June—home to a ~9 m Eleven-faced Kannon and a sweeping seaside terrace.
Hasedera Temple
Founded in 736, Hasedera enshrines a towering Eleven-faced Kannon (nearly 9 m). From the upper terrace, enjoy commanding views of the Kamakura coast.
Mid-June brings rich hydrangea blooms along the famed “Path of Hydrangeas,” a magnet for photographers. Autumn foliage, romantic charms, and unique votives add to the appeal.
Close to the Great Buddha and Enoden Hase Station, with plenty of cafés and souvenir shops nearby.
Zen temple famed for hydrangeas (~2,500 bushes) and the “Window of Enlightenment” framing a painterly garden scene.
Meigetsuin
Part of the Rinzai Zen Kencho-ji school, Meigetsuin’s round window in the main hall perfectly frames a seasonal garden “painting.”
In mid-June, ~2,500 hydrangeas flood the grounds; historic caves (yagura) and the tomb of Hojo Tokiyori add depth. Zazen sessions and limited hydrangea-themed goshuin (stamps) draw devotees.
Large aquarium themed on Sagami Bay and the Pacific—see the massive Sagami Bay Tank, jellyfish displays, and dolphin shows.
Enoshima Aquarium
Overlooking the Shonan coast, “Enosui” showcases the Sagami Bay ecosystem, a vast main tank, jellyfish zones, penguins, and more.
Watch the swirling “sardine tornado” of ~8,000 fish, meet sharks and sea lions up close, and enjoy family-friendly touch pools and amenities.
Shows feature high jumps up to ~10 m and light-and-sound productions; the shop sells beloved original goods.
Beach immortalized by Southern All Stars—summer swimming, surfing, and tides; Eboshi Rock marks the horizon at sunset.
Southern Beach Chigasaki & Eboshi Rock
A shallow shore loved by swimmers and surfers, Chigasaki’s symbol is the offshore Eboshi (“eboshi cap”) rock. Sunsets melt into the Pacific behind it.
Statues of the band grace the beach; BBQ facilities and parks line the coast, drawing families by evening. The nearby Chigasaki Southern Beach Hotel makes a convenient base.
Miura tuna, local catch, and farm-fresh produce—street eats at the market and daily picks at Urari Marche.
Misaki Morning Market & Urari Marche
“Miura’s vegetables and Misaki’s tuna” headline the Sunday morning market: snack on tuna collars and croquettes, stock up on dried fish souvenirs.
At Urari Marche, tuna and seasonal produce fill shelves daily. Market Sundays are lively, but Urari runs year-round from early morning.
Island at Miura’s tip—Umibenodomon (horseback-shaped sea arch), lighthouse, park, and sweeping ocean panoramas.
Jogashima
Connected by bridge, the compact island hosts Jogashima Park, the famed sea arch, and a lighthouse with views toward Fuji and Sagami Bay.
Tide pools teem with crabs and fish; anglers and divers flock year-round. Spring rapeseed and autumn red spider lilies color the island.
Feast on fresh seafood at local eateries—sea vistas from the bridge and lighthouse are unforgettable.
Sculpture set in nature—interactive works, a dedicated Picasso pavilion, footbath, and family-friendly spaces.
Hakone Open-Air Museum
Stroll among outdoor works by Henry Moore and leading Japanese artists; many pieces invite playful interaction. Children love climb-in installations and bubble-like towers.
The Picasso Pavilion presents a major collection beyond sculpture. Soak your feet at the on-site hot-spring footbath between galleries.
With hands-on zones and wide lawns, it’s ideal for all ages in any season.