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Kanagawa Prefecture | A Land of Port Cities, Ancient Capitals, and Hot Springs

神奈川県

 

 

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

 

kanagawa map

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

 

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Scenery in Kanagawa Prefecture

みなとみらい21地区。横浜港に面した近代的な都市景観が広がる。

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

 

横浜中華街。東アジア最大規模の中華街として、国内外から観光客が訪れる。

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

 

鎌倉大仏。奈良の大仏に次ぐ規模を誇る青銅製仏像で、国宝に指定されている。

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.

 

箱根神社。芦ノ湖畔に立つ鳥居は『平和の鳥居』として知られる。

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

 

江の島周辺の海。サーフィンやマリンスポーツが盛んなエリア。

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