Things to Do in Yamato (大和市), Kanagawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Yamato (大和市) in Kanagawa Prefecture (Kanto, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Jōsen Ji (5.4 km), Sagami Kokubuniji Ato (5.4 km), Zama-yatoyama Kōen (4.2 km) and served by Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km) via the regional hub at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station. Set at 53 m elevation (35.4833°N, 139.4500°E), Yamato offers travelers a base for sampling regional Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai, Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen, Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls) cuisine and exploring neighboring Zama (座間市) (4.5 km), Ayase (綾瀬市) (5.8 km), Ebina (海老名市) (6.8 km), Machida (町田市) (7.9 km).

Yamato is located approximately 40 to 50 kilometers from central Tokyo and 20 kilometers from central Yokohama. It measures 3.22 kilometers from east-to-west by 9.79 kilometers north-to-south, and is thus long and narrow orientated from north-to-south. The area around present-day Yamato city has been inhabited for thousands of years. Archaeologists have found stone tools from the Japanese Paleolithic period and ceramic shards from the Jōmon period at numerous locations in the area. Within Kanagawa Prefecture, Yamato (大和市) serves as a special city in Kanagawa Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1959-02-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Yokohama Minato Mirai & Chinatown, ancient temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima Island, Odawara Castle, and Hakone hot springs overlooking Mt. Fuji.

What to See & Do in Yamato (大和市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Yamato (大和市) from Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km) at 53 m elevation (35.4833°N, 139.4500°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Yamato):

• Jōsen Ji (5.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Yamato (大和市).
• Sagami Kokubuniji Ato (5.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Yamato (大和市).
• Zama-yatoyama Kōen (4.2 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Yamato (大和市).
• Wakayama Hachimangū (5.7 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Yamato (大和市).
• Sagamino Plateau — local sightseeing landmark near Yamato (大和市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Yamato: Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km) (connecting to Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Yamato

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Yamato (大和市) and Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kanagawa Prefecture and Kanto:

• Zama (座間市) — 4.5 km from Yamato (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Ayase (綾瀬市) — 5.8 km from Yamato (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Ebina (海老名市) — 6.8 km from Yamato (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Machida (町田市) — 7.9 km from Yamato (Tokyo Prefecture)
• Atsugi (厚木市) — 9.4 km from Yamato (Kanagawa Prefecture)

Getting to Yamato & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Yamato (大和市) via Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km): 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. From Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km) to reach central Yamato (35.4833°N, 139.4500°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Yokohama with Yamato (大和市) and neighboring Zama, Ayase, Ebina. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Yamato, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Yamato and continuing toward Zama can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Yamato: While Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km) anchors public transit for Yamato, picking up a rental car at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station makes it easy to link Jōsen Ji (5.4 km) and Sagami Kokubuniji Ato (5.4 km) with nearby Zama (座間市) (4.5 km), Ayase (綾瀬市) (5.8 km), Ebina (海老名市) (6.8 km), Machida (町田市) (7.9 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Yamato (大和市) & Kanagawa

Dining near Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km) and across Yamato (大和市) highlights the regional food culture of Kanagawa Prefecture and Kanto. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Yamato:

• Local specialty & terroir of Yamato (大和市): centuries-old ceramic kiln traditions (yakimono) and artisan pottery.
• Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai — regional specialty enjoyed across Yamato (大和市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Yamato (大和市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Yamato (大和市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Odawara kamaboko fish cakes — regional specialty enjoyed across Yamato (大和市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokosuka Kaigun curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Yamato (大和市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Yamato (大和市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km).

Where to Stay in Yamato (大和市)

Visitors staying overnight in Yamato (大和市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km), or base at major rail hubs in Yokohama (Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station) or neighboring Zama, Ayase, Ebina for quick train access into Yamato. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Yamato & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Yamato (大和市, 53 m elevation at 35.4833°N, 139.4500°E): Late March–April for cherry blossoms in Kamakura & Yokohama Sankeien; June for Kamakura hydrangeas; October–December for crisp Mt. Fuji views from Hakone & Enoshima.

Wider sightseeing across Kanagawa Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Jōsen Ji (5.4 km) in Yamato (大和市) includes: Yokohama Minato Mirai & Chinatown, ancient temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima Island, Odawara Castle, and Hakone hot springs overlooking Mt. Fuji.

Practical Travel Tips for Yamato (大和市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Yamato: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station or Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km) for local bus schedules to Jōsen Ji (5.4 km) and walking maps of Yamato (大和市).
• Cash & ATMs in Yamato: Convenience stores and major hotels around Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Jōsen Ji (5.4 km) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Yamato accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Yamato: Around Yamato Station (大和駅) (1.8 km) and neighboring Zama, Ayase, Ebina, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.