Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県)
Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県) is located in the Kanto region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Yokohama and primary transport gateway at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station. Spanning 33 cities, towns, and villages, Kanagawa is renowned for Yokohama Minato Mirai & Chinatown, ancient temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima Island, Odawara Castle, and Hakone hot springs overlooking Mt. Fuji.
| Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Kanto · Capital: Yokohama |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station |
| Municipalities Covered | 33 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Yokohama (横浜市), Kawasaki (川崎市), Sagamihara (相模原市), Yokosuka (横須賀市), Fujisawa (藤沢市) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai, Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen, Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls), Odawara kamaboko fish cakes, Yokosuka Kaigun curry |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Kanagawa Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Yokohama or planning regional day trips from Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station, these top municipalities in Kanagawa Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Yokohama (横浜市) — Designated major city (pop. 3,732,616, 437.38 km²) served by Yokohama Station (横浜駅) (2.8 km); key local sights include Minato Mirai 21 & Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (赤レンガ倉庫), Sankeien Traditional Garden (三溪園), Yokohama Chinatown (横浜中華街).
- Kawasaki (川崎市) — Designated major city (pop. 1,531,646, 142.70 km²) served by Kawasaki Station (川崎駅) (1.7 km); key local sights include Inage Jinja (1.6 km), Hie Jinja (2.4 km), Ryōchū Ji (2.5 km).
- Sagamihara (相模原市) — Designated major city (pop. 723,470, 328.84 km²) served by Sagamihara Station (相模原駅) (1.7 km); key local sights include Lake Sagami, Sagamihara Prefectural Park, Sagamihara Vending Machine Park.
- Yokosuka (横須賀市) — Core city (pop. 421,397, 100.68 km²) served by Yokosuka Station (横須賀駅) (1.6 km); key local sights include Ryūhon Ji (0.4 km), Ryōchō In (0.4 km), Chōgen Ji (0.9 km).
- Fujisawa (藤沢市) — City (pop. 402,628, 69.51 km²) served by Fujisawa Station (藤沢駅) (2.2 km); key local sights include Enoshima Island & Enoshima Benzaiten Shrine (江の島・江島神社), Enoshima Sea Candle Lighthouse & Samuel Cocking Garden, Enoshima Iwaya Sea Caves.
- Hiratsuka (平塚市) — Special city (pop. 260,419, 67.83 km²) served by Hiratsuka Station (平塚駅) (1.2 km); key local sights include Shōnan Kaigan Kōen (0.5 km), Hanamizugawa Bashi (1.5 km), Hiratsukashi Sōgō Kōen (2.9 km).
How to get to Kanagawa Prefecture
25–30m from Tokyo Station to Yokohama or Kawasaki on JR lines; 35m to Odawara on the Tokaido Shinkansen; 55m to Kamakura on the JR Yokosuka Line. Once at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station, JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 33 municipalities in Kanagawa. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Kanagawa
When visiting cities across Kanagawa, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai — regional culinary specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県).
- Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen — regional culinary specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県).
- Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls) — regional culinary specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県).
- Odawara kamaboko fish cakes — regional culinary specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県).
- Yokosuka Kaigun curry — regional culinary specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県).
Best time to visit Kanagawa
Late March–April for cherry blossoms in Kamakura & Yokohama Sankeien; June for Kamakura hydrangeas; October–December for crisp Mt. Fuji views from Hakone & Enoshima.
All 33 cities & municipalities in Kanagawa Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yokohama 横浜市 | Designated major city | 3,732,616 | 437.38 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Yokosuka 横須賀市 | Core city | 421,397 | 100.68 km² | City guide → |
| Kawasaki 川崎市 | Designated major city | 1,531,646 | 142.70 km² | City guide → |
| Hiratsuka 平塚市 | Special city | 260,419 | 67.83 km² | City guide → |
| Kamakura 鎌倉市 | City | 173,588 | 39.60 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Fujisawa 藤沢市 | City | 402,628 | 69.51 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Odawara 小田原市 | Special city | 198,841 | 114.09 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Chigasaki 茅ヶ崎市 | Special city | 231,005 | 35.71 km² | City guide → |
| Zushi 逗子市 | City | 58,654 | 17.34 km² | City guide → |
| Sagamihara 相模原市 | Designated major city | 723,470 | 328.84 km² | City guide → |
| Miura 三浦市 | City | 49,371 | 32.28 km² | City guide → |
| Hadano 秦野市 | City | 169,201 | 103.61 km² | City guide → |
| Atsugi 厚木市 | Special city | 225,163 | 93.83 km² | City guide → |
| Yamato 大和市 | Special city | 223,127 | 27.06 km² | City guide → |
| Isehara 伊勢原市 | City | 100,779 | 55.52 km² | City guide → |
| Ebina 海老名市 | City | 126,035 | 26.48 km² | City guide → |
| Zama 座間市 | City | 127,582 | 17.58 km² | City guide → |
| Minamiashigara 南足柄市 | City | 44,285 | 76.93 km² | City guide → |
| Ayase 綾瀬市 | City | 82,083 | 22.28 km² | City guide → |
| Hakone 箱根町 | Resort & onsen town | 10,965 | 92.86 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Samukawa 寒川町 | Town (町) | 47,971 | 13.42 km² | City guide → |
| Ōiso 大磯町 | Town (町) | 33,171 | 17.18 km² | City guide → |
| Ōi 大井町 | Town (町) | 17,441 | 14.41 km² | City guide → |
| Ninomiya 二宮町 | Town (町) | 29,707 | 9.08 km² | City guide → |
| Aikawa 愛川町 | Town (町) | 41,933 | 34.29 km² | City guide → |
| Hayama 葉山町 | Town (町) | 33,635 | 17.06 km² | City guide → |
| Nakai 中井町 | Town (町) | 9,811 | 20.02 km² | City guide → |
| Matsuda 松田町 | Town (町) | 11,641 | 37.75 km² | City guide → |
| Yamakita 山北町 | Town (町) | 11,488 | 224.7 km² | City guide → |
| Kaisei 開成町 | Town (町) | 16,606 | 6.56 km² | City guide → |
| Manazuru 真鶴町 | Town (町) | 8,004 | 7.02 km² | City guide → |
| Yugawara 湯河原町 | Town (町) | 26,767 | 40.99 km² | City guide → |
| Kiyokawa 清川村 | Village (村) | 3,138 | 71.29 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県)?
Top highlights across Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県) in Japan's Kanto region include Yokohama Minato Mirai & Chinatown, ancient temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima Island, Odawara Castle, and Hakone hot springs overlooking Mt. Fuji. Major cities and sightseeing bases in Kanagawa include Yokohama (横浜市), Kawasaki (川崎市), Sagamihara (相模原市), Yokosuka (横須賀市), Fujisawa (藤沢市).
How do I get to Kanagawa Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Kanagawa Prefecture is Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station (prefectural capital: Yokohama). 25–30m from Tokyo Station to Yokohama or Kawasaki on JR lines; 35m to Odawara on the Tokaido Shinkansen; 55m to Kamakura on the JR Yokosuka Line. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Kanagawa Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県) include Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai, Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen, Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls), Odawara kamaboko fish cakes, Yokosuka Kaigun curry—served at station restaurants around Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station, local morning markets, and izakaya in Yokohama and Kawasaki.
When is the best time of year to visit Kanagawa Prefecture?
Late March–April for cherry blossoms in Kamakura & Yokohama Sankeien; June for Kamakura hydrangeas; October–December for crisp Mt. Fuji views from Hakone & Enoshima. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.