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Kanagawa Travel Guide A prefecture of delightful opposites

Kanagawa is Tokyo’s neighbor, located just south of the metropolitan area on the Pacific ocean. It is a prefecture of delightful opposites. The vibrant, super-modern city of Yokohama stands in stark contrast to the quaint, traditional towns of Hakone and Kamakura. The former is filled with skyscrapers and entertainment. The latter offer tranquility among temples, shrines and hot springs. Whether your perfect golf trip includes luxury shopping and vibrant colors or ultimate relaxation and the calm of nature - Kanagawa has it all! And is only a 25-minute train ride from Tokyo at that. Kanagawa provides a multitude of activities for you to do and sights to see after spending a morning on the green.

Image: Minato Mirai 21 View From Zou-No-Hana Park by Toshihiro Gamo https://flic.kr/p/pQ1q9d

Things to do

The three destinations for entertainment, tradition and relaxation on a golf trip through Kanagawa are Yokohama, Kamakura, and Hakone, respectively.

Not far from Yokohama station directly by the water, the Minato Miari 21 port area is wonderful for shopping and fine dining. Here, you will also find the Yokohama Museum of Art and the Mitsubishi Industrial Museum with exhibits of the latest technologies. The Nippon Maru Memorial Park located at the southern end of Minato Mirai 21 is home to the Sail Training Ship Nippon Maru. This impressive structure was built in 1930 and has acted as a training ship for young cadets. Now it is open to the public and a great site to visit with the entire family.

Another few miles to the south is Yokohama Chukagai - the oldest and largest Chinatown in Asia. The Chinese shops and temples are so vibrant and colorful, they’re a must-see. The dumplings sold on the street are said to be the best outside of China.

Just 30 minutes south of Yokohama you can explore Kamakura, known for its countless temples and shrines. Take a walk among the quaint streets of the coastal town, visit the Kamakura Daibutsu, (the Great Buddha of Kamakura), and try making some Japanese pottery. Closeby, Enoshima Island as well as the relaxing Enoshima Island Spa is always worth a visit as well.

If you’d like your peace and quiet and want to escape into nature, Hakone is where you need to go. A short walk through the woods by Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine stands secluded and peaceful. A good soak in the hot springs in one of the traditional baths of Hakone will restore your body to its full vitality after a full day of playing golf or exploring the mountainous region.

Image: Great Buddha of Kamakura by Yoshikazu Okada https://flic.kr/p/cXbBLo

Flavors of Kanagawa

Ramen, the Japanese noodle soup, is nowadays known around the world as a delicious bowl of soul food. But regional variations make this an extremely versatile dish. Of course, Kanagawa Prefecture also has its own version of ramen: Sanmamen. The soup base is made with soy sauce and it is topped with stir-fried vegetables.

When visiting the temples and shrines of Kamakura, don’t forget to taste Shirasu Don, the regional specialty. It consists of a bowl of rice topped with shirasu, (whitebait). This generic term describes tiny raw or cooked fish, which are usually baby anchovies or sardines. The refined flavor of the locally caught fish has many fans among natives.

Image: 江ノ島 - Enoshima by wellflat.  https://flic.kr/p/q9zjCF

Events & Seasonal Happenings

Depending on your preferences, different seasons may be best for your visit to Kanagawa. Cultural enthusiasts will not want to miss the Kamakura Festival in early April. Here, the capital of medieval Japan presents samurai culture at its most fascinating. Come and watch the traditional dances, open-air tea ceremonies, and horseback archery demonstrations.

June and July mark the hydrangea season in Japan. And Hase, the part of Kamakura that is home to the Great Buddha of Kamakura, is the best place to see the lovely flowers. During these two months the many temples and shrines of Hase burst into color. The ajisai, as hydrangeas are called in Japan, bloom in a huge variety of colors from white to pink, blue, and violet.

Image: Hydrangea, Hase, Kamakura 2013 by Shinji_W https://flic.kr/p/eNp3hq

What to bring back

Without a doubt, the best souvenirs are food souvenirs and Kanagawa isn’t the exception. The area is known for its superb kamaboko makers. The traditional Japanese fish cakes are a popular savory snack and side dish at meals. With two locations in the prefecture, Suzuhiro has a history of making delicious kamaboko since 1865. They even offer tastings and classes.

A sweet alternative is Ariake Yokohama Harbor Double Marron. Shaped like a ship, these little chestnut-filled sponge cakes pay tribute to Yokohama’s history as a port town. The pastries are available at most shopping centers throughout the city.

Did you know that the craziest Kit Kat varieties exist in Japan? Besides the old, boring milk chocolate bars, you’ll find green tea, wasabi, and pumpkin flavors among many others. One sweet souvenir you can only find in Kanagawa is the Yokohama edition: Strawberry Cheesecake Kit Kat!

Image: NYK Hikawamaru by Toshihiro Gamo https://flic.kr/p/S1pp9p

Where to stay

A prime location to stay in Kanagawa is the very centrally located Yokohama Royal Park Hotel. It lies on the 52nd through 67th floors of the Yokohama Landmark Tower, which is the fourth-tallest structure in all of Japan. The 603 luxury guest rooms offer a great view of the port of Yokohama.

When visiting the Hakone area, a stay at an “onsen ryokan” is a must. These are traditional Japanese guesthouses with access to a hot spring. They provide impeccable service and an exquisite dining experience. Our top recommendation is the Gora Kadan Ryokan. The traditional Japanese architecture and clean, open spaces let your body and mind relax. Rooms come with private baths, the water is mild and alkaline, and promises to revitalizes the body.

Image: Gora Kadan by Jean-François Chénier https://flic.kr/p/8WMM9y

Wrap up

Image: Enoshima Island Spa

Whether you make your visit to Kanagawa a day-trip from Tokyo or a full-fledged weeklong adventure, you will definitely not get bored! Museum, temples, shops, and restaurants let you see, hear, feel, and taste all the facets of Kanagawa. Take a break from golfing and explore the countless attractions this corner of Japan has to offer.

Getting there:
Kanagawa is only 25 minutes from Tokyo by train on the JR Keihintohoku line. From Osaka, flights to Haneda Airport take about an hour. A Shinkansen bullet train connects the stations Shin-Osaka and Shin-Yokohama in two hours.

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