Kanagawa Prefecture | A Land of Port Cities, Ancient Capitals, and Hot Springs
Kanagawa Prefecture | A Land of Port Cities, Ancient Capitals, and Hot Springs
Kanagawa Prefecture lies adjacent to Tokyo and combines urban convenience with access to the sea and surrounding mountains. Major cities such as Yokohama and Kawasaki coexist with coastal and mountainous areas like Shonan and Hakone, creating a region where urban life and natural landscapes remain closely connected.
Yokohama, the prefectural capital, developed as one of Japan’s leading port cities.
Since its opening to international trade, the city has served as a gateway for cultural exchange, and districts such as the Red Brick Warehouse area, Minato Mirai, and the Yamate neighborhood reflect layers of foreign influence and modern urban development.
In contrast, areas like Kamakura and Enoshima offer a setting where history and the sea meet.
Temples, shrines, and historic streets are interwoven with everyday life, allowing visitors and residents alike to experience the passage of time through the landscape itself.
Hakone has long been known as a prominent hot spring region.
Its natural scenery, cultural institutions, and proximity to the capital have made it a place where people step away from daily routines while remaining closely tied to the city.
Within a single prefecture, Kanagawa brings together cities, history, coastlines, and mountains.
This layering of environments has shaped a region defined by diversity and continuity.
Kanagawa Prefecture: Key Facts

Prefectural Capital
- Yokohama City
Major Cities
- Yokohama City
- Kawasaki City
- Sagamihara City
Population
- Approximately 9.2 million people
Representative Places and Events
- Yokohama China Town
- Minato Mirai
- Great Buddha of Kamakura
- Enoshima
- Hakone Hot Springs
Local Cuisine
- Sanma-men – Yokohama-style ramen with stir-fried vegetables
- Shūmai [Kiyōken] – steamed pork dumplings from Kiyōken
-
Kenchin-jiru, a traditional Japanese vegetable soup with miso broth
Craft Works
- Hakone yosegi zaiku – Hakone parquetry
- Kamakura-bori – Kamakura woodcarving lacquerware
Articles about Kanagawa Prefecture
Scenery in Kanagawa Prefecture

The Minato Mirai 21 district features a modern urban landscape along Yokohama Port.

Yokohama Chinatown, the largest Chinatown in East Asia, attracts tourists from across Japan and around the world.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a bronze statue, second in size only to the Great Buddha of Nara, and is designated as a National Treasure.

Hakone Shrine’s torii gate, located on the shore of Lake Ashi, is known as the ‘Peace Torii’.

The waters around Enoshima are popular for surfing and various marine sports.
