Things to Do in Zama (座間市), Kanagawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Zama (座間市) in Kanagawa Prefecture (Kanto, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Fujiyama Park, Himawari Park, Kanigasawa Park and served by Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km) via the regional hub at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station. Set at 32 m elevation (35.4833°N, 139.4000°E), Zama 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 Ebina (海老名市) (4.2 km), Yamato (大和市) (4.5 km), Atsugi (厚木市) (6.3 km), Ayase (綾瀬市) (6.3 km).

The city hosts the United States Army Camp Zama base. Located in central Kanagawa Prefecture, Zama is approximately 50 kilometers from the center of Tokyo and 20 kilometers from Yokohama. It is divided into an alluvial lowland along the Sagami River in the west and a plateau belonging to the Sagamino Plateau (Sagamihara Plateau) in the east. The area around Zama has been settled since prehistoric times, and Jōmon period remains have been found. Within Kanagawa Prefecture, Zama (座間市) serves as a city in Kanagawa Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1971-11-01) 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 Zama (座間市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Zama (座間市) from Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km) at 32 m elevation (35.4833°N, 139.4000°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Zama):

• Fujiyama Park — local sightseeing landmark near Zama (座間市).
• Himawari Park — local sightseeing landmark near Zama (座間市).
• Kanigasawa Park — local sightseeing landmark near Zama (座間市).
• Onsen — local sightseeing landmark near Zama (座間市).
• Zama Park — local sightseeing landmark near Zama (座間市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Zama: Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km) (connecting to Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Zama

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Zama (座間市) and Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kanagawa Prefecture and Kanto:

• Ebina (海老名市) — 4.2 km from Zama (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Yamato (大和市) — 4.5 km from Zama (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Atsugi (厚木市) — 6.3 km from Zama (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Ayase (綾瀬市) — 6.3 km from Zama (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Machida (町田市) — 8.8 km from Zama (Tokyo Prefecture)

Getting to Zama & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Zama (座間市) via Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 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 Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km) to reach central Zama (35.4833°N, 139.4000°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Yokohama with Zama (座間市) and neighboring Ebina, Yamato, Atsugi. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Zama, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Zama and continuing toward Ebina 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 Zama: While Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km) anchors public transit for Zama, picking up a rental car at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station makes it easy to link Fujiyama Park and Himawari Park with nearby Ebina (海老名市) (4.2 km), Yamato (大和市) (4.5 km), Atsugi (厚木市) (6.3 km), Ayase (綾瀬市) (6.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Zama (座間市) & Kanagawa

Dining near Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km) and across Zama (座間市) highlights the regional food culture of Kanagawa Prefecture and Kanto. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Zama:

• Local specialty & terroir of Zama (座間市): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside sericulture, traditional silk weaving, and merchant heritage.
• Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai — regional specialty enjoyed across Zama (座間市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Zama (座間市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Zama (座間市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Odawara kamaboko fish cakes — regional specialty enjoyed across Zama (座間市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokosuka Kaigun curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Zama (座間市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Zama (座間市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km).

Where to Stay in Zama (座間市)

Visitors staying overnight in Zama (座間市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km), or base at major rail hubs in Yokohama (Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station) or neighboring Ebina, Yamato, Atsugi for quick train access into Zama. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Zama & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Zama (座間市, 32 m elevation at 35.4833°N, 139.4000°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 Fujiyama Park in Zama (座間市) 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 Zama (座間市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Zama: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station or Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km) for local bus schedules to Fujiyama Park and walking maps of Zama (座間市).
• Cash & ATMs in Zama: Convenience stores and major hotels around Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Fujiyama Park often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Zama accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Zama: Around Zama Station (座間駅) (0.3 km) and neighboring Ebina, Yamato, Atsugi, 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.