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Near-futuristic city
full of vitality, and nature full of topographical varieties with
mountains, rivers and sea
A next-door prefecture to Tokyo, Kanagawa is situated in the
southwest of the Kanto Plains and fronts on the Tokyo Bay and the
Sagami Bay at the south. In addition to its celebrated standing as an
animated district that has led the economy of Japan, Kanagawa boasts
topographical varieties created by mountains, rivers and sea, with
each locality colored by distinguishing history and climate.
Yokohama, the seat of the prefectural government, has grown as a major
gateway of the sea to Japan, as well as the center of administration
and economy for the whole prefecture of Kanagawa. Yokohama City has
the development of its Minato Mirai District 21 under way into a
near-futuristic urban complex. In addition to Yokohama, there are
other well-known vital cities east of the prefecture, such as
Kawasaki, one of the foremost industrial cities in Japan, and Yokosuka,
an exotic fishing town.
What is more, natural abounds in Kanagawa. The Sagami-gawa River,
known as "Kanagawa's mother river," runs through the middle of the
prefecture. There are many tourist spots of long standing, such as
Kamakura, a town full of historic attractions, Hakone, a mecca for hot
spring lovers, and Odawara, a castle town of a feudal lord. In the
south of the prefecture sits the Shonan and Miura-hanto Peninsula area
boasting a beautiful coastline, with the northern part of the Tanzawa
Mountain region spreading out to the west. Thus, Kanagawa is a
multi-faced prefecture having everything from abundant nature to
near-futuristic urban complex.
Getting there
Yokohama Station is about 25 minutes from Tokyo Station by JR
Tokaido Line. Two hours and 15 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to
Shin-Yokohama Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Take JR Yokohama
Line from Shin-Yokohama Station and change at Higashi-Kanagawa Station
to take JR Keihin-tohoku Line to Yokohama Station. Seventeen-minute
trip in total.
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Sakuragi-cho and
Minato Mirai District 21
The futuristic city that continues developing - One of Yokohama's
nostalgic towns - Sakuragi-cho
Minato Mirai District 21 is a new town that has been created
where Yokohama Expo was held in 1989. Minato Mirai District 21 is
the town of future that is full of most modern high-rise buildings.
The most famous ones of all are Yokohama Landmark Tower and Queen's
Square Yokohama. Minato Mirai District 21 is also a mega-shopping
town. It is crowded with large shopping malls and amusement spots
and it is almost impossible to explore the whole town in one day.
The gorgeous night view of Minato Mirai District 21 is a must to
see. Yokohama Cosmo World with the mammoth Ferris wheel in the
center and the high-rise buildings are illuminated, which gives an
effect of the whole area floating in the night sky.
Sakuragi-cho is one of Yokohama's oldest towns with a nostalgic
atmosphere still in the air. There is a monument that commemorates
Sakuragi-cho as the birthplace of the railway system at Sakuragi-cho
Station. Many cultural facilities are concentrated around the hill
park, Kamon-yama Park and Mt. Ise-yama, where several shrines can be
found, is also a Sakuragi-cho's neighboring site. The nostalgic and
down-to-earth atmosphere of Sakuragi-cho makes a good contrast with
the hyper and high-tech appearance of its next-door, Minato Mirai
District 21. There are also many eating and drinking places in Noge,
which stretches between Sakuragi-cho Station and Keihin Kyuko Hinode
Station. Try one of the Jazz coffee shops where the atmosphere is
just right to make you feel that you are in the old port town,
Yokohama.
Getting there
Approximately 45 minutes by JR Keihin Tohoku Line from Tokyo
Station to Sakuragi-cho Station.
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Chuka-gai (China Town)
Still prospering ever since the opening of Yokohama Port - One of
the largest China towns in the world
In the mid-19th century, the American Commodore Matthew C. Perry
and his fleet arrived in Japan in order to establish treaties of
friendship between Japan and the Western world. Japan's isolation
from the rest of the world, which lasted for more than 200 years,
was finally over. Yokohama Port was immediately opened for
international trading and soon became crowded with Western traders.
Many Chinese were also brought into Yokohama in order to help
communication between the Japanese and the Westerners, and that was
the beginning of the China Town in Yokohama.
There are four gates surrounding the China Town which face north,
south, east and west. Once you have gone through the Enpei-mon Gate
and have walked past Nishi-mon Gate, the west gate, you will see the
symbol of the China Town, the Zenrin-mon Gate from where the high
street stretches through to the Choyo-mon Gate. There are more than
300 restaurants, food ingredients shops and general stores in total,
thickly spread not only along the high street but also all over the
town of approximately 700 meters radius. This is one of the largest
China towns in the world. There is of course a wide variety of
beautifully presented Chinese cuisine in the China Town, mainly
Cantonese but Beijing, Shanghai and Szechwan dishes are also
available.
Some spectacular festivals are held in the China town every year.
Major ones are the New Year Festival, the Kanteitan Festival in
summer to celebrate the birthday of Kan'u who is a character from
the old Chinese story, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and the
Kokkeisetsu Festival in autumn to celebrate Chinese National
Foundation.
Getting there
Approximately 50 minutes by JR Keihin Tohoku Line from Tokyo
Station to Ishikawa-cho Station.
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Motomachi and Yamate
The trendy shopping town that flourishes at the foot of Yamate - the
old foreign residential area
Yamate became a popular little hill for foreigners to reside on
when Yokohama Port was opened to the world for international trading
about 140 years ago. Ever since Motomachi has prospered at the foot
of Yamate as a shopping area where they originally used to sell
daily goods to the foreign residents of Yamate.
It probably takes only 15 minutes to walk from one end of this tiny
area to the other, Motomachi, and yet you would not believe that
more than 250 shops are thronging in the whole area. Shoes, bags,
tableware, furniture, etc. etc. - you name it, you will find it.
Motomachi is especially known for many renowned long-established
shops where they guarantee top quality Motomachi goods. The Charming
Sale is held by all the shops in Motomachi at the end of summer and
winter every year. The sale is very popular particularly amongst
young ladies. Yamate is full of exotic atmosphere with many foreign
houses and churches in the area. Minato-no Mieru-oka-Koen is the
park where you can enjoy the view of the whole of Yokohama Port and
that is what the name of the park literally means. There is a view
spot and a rose garden in the park and it is a much-appreciated
place for relaxation for local people. There is also a western grave
yard in the front of the park, where gravestones with crosses can be
seen.
Getting there
Approximately 50 minutes by JR Keihin Tohoku Line from Tokyo
Station to Ishikawa-cho Station. Three minutes walk from the north
exit of Ishikawa-cho Station.
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Kan'nai and
Yamashita-koen Park
The 19th century foreign residential area - The first town where the
Western culture arrived
Kan'nai is the area where the Yokohama government offices are
located. It is also the birthplace of Yokohama. The National
Isolation from the rest of the world, which lasted more than 200
years, finally came to an end in the mid 19th century. Yokohama Port
was opened for the international trading and foreign residences were
created within the Japanese residential areas around the port. The
word Kan'nai means " the barrier to the inside" and is originated
from the fact that a barrier was built in order to separate the
foreign residences that were located "inside" the Japanese
residential areas. Kan'nai is the first town where Western culture
was introduced to the Japanese and Western influence from those days
can still be seen here and there in the streets.
Yamashita-koen Park is situated along the coast at the end of Nihon
O-dori Avenue that stretches to the east from Kan'nai. This seaside
park was opened in 1930 and lies for about 1 km in length along the
coast with Yokohama Port right in front of it. Yamashita-koen Park
has always provided the people of Yokohama with a place for
recreation and relaxation. The big feature of Yamashita-koen Park is
the Hikawa-maru ship that is moored close by. Hikawa-maru was once
called "the Pacific Queen" and attracts many visitors throughout the
year.
On the western side of JR Kan'nai Station, there is Isezaki-cho-dori
Avenue that is a very popular shopping street. "Isezaki Mall" is a
very busy place where department stores, special shops, movie
theaters and eating-places are concentrated. Basha-michi-dori Street
on the eastern side of Kan'nai Station, was cobbled in the olden
days, for horse-carriages to get through, and has a well-established
gentle atmosphere with nostalgic-looking shops scattered along the
street. This is also a popular shopping street that is always busy
with people all day.
Getting there
Approximately 50 minutes by JR Keihin Tohoku Line from Tokyo
Station to Kan'nai Station.
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Enoshima Island
The small island with a perimeter of 4 km that protrudes into Sagami
Bay - The goddess that is worshiped by celebrities
Enoshima is a small island at the mouth of Katase-gawa River
that flows into Sagami Bay. Its perimeter is approximately 4 km and
it is linked with the opposite shore of Katase by the 600 m long
Enoshima Ohashi Bridge. Once you have crossed the bridge, you will
see the island is crowded with marine product shops, souvenir shops,
inns and eating-places. Enoshima-jinja Shrine on the island was
originally a tutelary shrine where the three goddesses of land, sea
transport and fisheries were enshrined in the year of 552. Hadaka-Benten,
or the naked goddess of entertainment in the shrine is one of the
three most famous goddesses in Japan and is visited by a number of
celebrities.
Other tourist sites on Enoshima Island include the Tropical
Botanical Garden, Enoshima Lighthouse, the yacht harbor, the view
spot and the cave called Enoshima Iwaya that is a creation of
approximately 6000 years of sea erosion. Inside the cave, block
prints and stone statues of Buddha are displayed by light. There are
also some mysterious stones that glow only inside this cave and
nowhere else. Katase on the opposite shore has developed as the
gateway town to Enoshima-jinja Shrine. This is the nearest beach to
the Metropolitan area and becomes very busy with many visitors every
summer. Katase is also popular among anglers as there are many good
fishing spots in the area.
Getting there
Fifty-five minutes by JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station to
Kamakura Station. Twenty-five minutes by Enoden Line from Kamakura
Station to Enoshima Station.
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Hakkei-jima Island
The whole island is a theme park - The Kanazawa Bunko Library where
the 13th century books sleep
Hakkei-jima Island is a reclaimed land that is situated along
the coast of Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama City in the eastern part of
Kanagawa. Hakkei-jima Island is about 18 times as big as the Tokyo
Dome; the all-weather baseball stadium in Tokyo, and the whole land
has been created as a theme park called Yokohama Hakkei-jima Sea
Paradise.
Hakkei-jima Island is one of the largest aquariums in Japan, called
Aqua Museum where has as many as 100,000 underwater creatures of
approximately 500 species are looked after. The biggest feature of
all in Aqua Museum is the impressive escalator, Aqua Tube, that runs
from the ground floor right through to the 3rd floor. Aqua Tube is
cleverly illuminated with special effects so that it gives you the
impression of walking under the sea. Hakkei-jima Island is also
equipped with as many as 13 attractions that both children and
adults can enjoy. Hakkei-jima makes an ideal place for a family day
out. The Kanazawa Bunko Library is located near Hakkei-jima Island
and is known for its collection of the 13th century books that were
originally accumulated by Sanetoki Kanazawa, a samurai who was a
study enthusiast. Today the Library belongs to Kanagawa Prefecture
and is open to the public. Many people also visit the nearby scenic
spot, Kanazawa Hakkei (eight scenery). It is named after the Chinese
beauty spot, ShoSho Eight Scenery in Hunan.
Getting there
Thirty minutes by JR Tokaido-honsen Line from Tokyo Station to
Yokohama Station. Twenty minutes by JR Negishi Line from Yokohama
Station to Shin Sugita Station. Twenty minutes by Kanazawa Seaside
Line from Shin Sugita Station to Hakkei-jima Station.
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Hakone
The historical zone, home of renowned spas - One of the best
international holiday resorts
Hakone is the name that refers to the whole area, surrounding
Mt. Hakone-yama that is situated in the southwestern part of
Kanagawa, and is part of the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. Hakone
is an internationally well-known holiday resort that includes many
renowned spas and Lake Ashino-ko, which was created by Mt. Fuji's
repetitive volcanic activity. In Hakone, there are said to be
"Hakone Thirteen Spas", or some even say "Hakone Seventeen Spas"
altogether distinguished from each other by their distinctive
ingredients and different healing effects.
The Hakone Barrier was built on the Tokaido Highway(The road from
Edo to Kyoto) in 1619 in order to fortify the capital Edo (former
name of Tokyo) against various foreign clans from the west and to
maintain public peace. The Hakone Barrier used to terrify travelers
as they were thoroughly inspected before they were allowed to
continue traveling along the Tokaido, the main transport artery of
those days. For this reason, Hakone used to be called "the border
between the east and the west". The original barrier which has been
restored with related information, including armor and weapons, is
open to the public nowadays.
There are many other interesting sites in the surrounding area of
Hakone. Visit Onshi Hakone Park, for instance, to see the
up-side-down Mt. Fuji reflected in the surface of Lake Ashino-ko
nearby. Hakone Museum proudly presents its collection of
approximately 50 pieces of pottery. Enjoy a pleasant walk through
Hakone Sengokubara Shissei Kaen where a beautiful garden of
hydrophytes welcomes you. The conservation and protection of nature
and the historical sites are well maintained in Hakone. The wetland
plant colony is listed as a natural monument. Rows of cedar trees
stretch for 2 km along the old Tokaido and the group of stone
statues of Buddha is enshrined in Hakone.
Getting there
About 40 minutes by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line from Tokyo
Station to Odawara Station. About 15 minutes by Hakone Tozan Tetsudo
Line from Odawara Station to Hakone Yumoto Station.
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Kamakura (Hase
and Yui-ga-hama Beach)
Handsome Buddha from the 13th century - Abundance of flowers -
Hase-dera Temple Garden
Hase is a temple town in the south of Kamakura City. It has
developed around Hase-dera Temple where Jyuichimen kan'non, or the
11-faced Merciful Goddess is enshrined. It is said that a Buddhist
monk, Domyo, established a temple in the mountain in the early 8th
century and his disciple erected Jyuichimen kan'non and the
Hase-dera Temple. People started visiting the temple around the 10th
century and the visit has been well established to this day as "Hase-moude".
In the precincts of the temple, there is a garden with flowers
blooming throughout the year.
A neighboring temple of Hase-dera Temple is Kotoku-in Temple with a
statue of Buddha that gently sits out-doors in the temple grounds.
Its height is 11 meters, 13.35 meters including the plinth, the face
alone measures 2.35 meters in height and it weighs as much as 21
tons. The sight of the magnificent Buddha is just overwhelming. The
construction of the "handsome" Buddha began in 1238. The wooden
carved statue was completed 6 years later, and gold and copper
gilding was applied in 1252.
Yui-ga-hama Beach is situated on the western side of the mouth of
Nameri-gawa River that flows through the middle of Kamakura. The
beach also faces Sagami Bay. It is one of the most popular beaches
in the Shonan area and is very busy with a number of bathers in
summer. There are many historical and literary sites along
Yui-ga-hama Odori Street that stretches from Wakamiya-Oji in front
of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to Hase-dera Temple. Yui-ga-hama
Odori Street is known for one of the streets of Kamakura that invite
you into an intellectual world of art and literature.
Getting there
Fifty-five minutes by JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station to
Kamakura Station. Five minutes by Enoden Line from Kamakura Station
to Hase Station. For Yui-ga-hama Odori Street, 3 minutes by Enoden
Line from Kamakura Station to Yui-ga-hama Station.
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Kita-Kamakura
The starting point of exploration in the old capital of Japan where
old and famous temples gather
Kamakura City is situated in the southeastern part of Kanagawa.
One side of the city faces the sea and the rest is surrounded by
mountains, so it was used as a natural fort during the battle age.
The history of Kamakura goes back to the year 1192 when the Shogun
Yoritomo Minamoto established his shogunate to rule Japan, centering
on Kamakura as the capital. There are many historical sites for
sightseeing, mainly temples and shrines that are scattered around in
this 800 year old city. Walking through greenery from site to site
adds pleasure to the sightseeing. A good starting point for
exploration is Kita-Kamakura.
Towards the end of the Kamakura Period, one of the most powerful
clans, Hojo, set the rating system called "Kamakura Gozan" for Zen
temples. Hojo rated five temples of Kamakura, three of which,
Kencho-ji Temple (first), Enkaku-ji Temple (second) and Jochi-ji
Temple (fourth), can be seen in Kita-Kamakura and are proud their
history. Meigetsu-in Temple is known as the Ajisai (Hydrangea)-dera
Temple. As the name suggests, the temple garden becomes abundant
with hydrangea flowers in early summer. Tokei-ji Temple is pretty
with plum blossom and iris flowers in spring or Kencho-ji Temple
that is proud of its cherry blossom display. There are many
beautiful sites full of seasonal features in Kita-Kamakura.
Getting there
Fifty minutes by JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station to
Kita-Kamakura Station.
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Omachi and Zaimokuza
The origin of historical Kamakura - The coastal path with salty tang
of the sea
Omachi and Zaimokuza are situated on the eastern side of the
Nameri-gawa River that flows through the city of Kamakura. As the
name of Zaimokuza("Zaimoku" means timber) suggests, it was once the
area that contained Japan's oldest harbor where timber was brought
in order to build Kamakura. Zaimokuza Beach is a popular beach
resort and it is crowded with people from neighboring towns and
cities in summer. You can enjoy a leisurely walk along the beach,
breathing in the salty tang of the sea.
In the Omachi and Zaimokuza area, there are many historical sites
that retain so much evidence that the area was the origin of the old
capital Kamakura. There is Moto-Hachiman Shrine that the Kamakura
Shogun Yoritomo Minamoto of the 12th century erected. Chosho-ji
Temple enshrines the statue of the great Buddhist monk Nichiren of
the 13th century. There is also Kuhon-ji Temple where the cemetary
of the war dead was created by Nitta Yoshisada, a samurai general
who made an inroad to Kamakura. Omachi and Zaimokuza are also known
for many temples that are associated with flowers. For instance, the
whole precinct of Anyo-in Temple becomes abundant with azalea
flowers in spring and Ankokuron-ji Temple is proud of crab apple
trees and sasanqua that are both Kamakura's natural monuments. These
places are visited by lots of people during the flowering seasons.
Getting there
Fifty-five minutes by JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station to
Kamakura Station. Approximately 15 minutes by bus from Kamakura
Station to Zaimokuza.
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Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine and Komachi-dori Avenue
The central feature of sightseeing in Kamakura - Shopping area
with lively atmosphere- Komachi-dori Avenue
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu is the symbolic shrine of the old capital
city, Kamakura. A number of people come to visit this historic
shrine everyday. The shrine has retained its appearance as it is now
since the shrine pavilion was added in 1191 by the Shogun Yoritomo
Minamoto who established the Kamakura shogunate to rule Japan.
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu is the central tutelary shrine of the Kanto
Region including Tokyo as well as being the tutelary shrine of the
nation. Many believers visit Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu day by day and
various events are organized at the shrine throughout the year.
The approach to the shrine between Nino Torii Gate and San'no Torii
Gate is called Dankazura. It is a raised path and looks splendid in
spring with cherry blossom trees all the way along the path.
Komachi-dori Avenue is one street away to the west from Wakamiya-oji
Street that stretches straight from Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine.
Komachi-dori Avenue is the shopping street with full of fashionable
coffee shops, long-established restaurants and shops where you can
buy natto(sticky beans), ham, traditional Kamakura carving and other
local products. Don't forget to go around to the back of the avenue
- you will be greeted by more shops and places for food and drink.
There are more than 200 shops altogether and a merry and lively
atmosphere will always welcome you.
Getting there
55 minutes by JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station to Kamakura
Station.
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Lake Sagami-ko
Its perfect location, 1 hour from metropolitan Tokyo - Enjoy
camping, barbecues and walking in the woods around the lake.
Lake Sagami-ko is an artificial lake extending between the towns
of Sagamiko Town and Fujino Town in the north-western part of
Kanagawa. The Sagami-gawa River was dammed to make this lake in a
perfect location, 60 kilometers from metropolitan Tokyo and 50
kilometers from Yokohama, and just an hour by train from each of
these cities. Many people therefore come to this lake with varieties
of tourist features.
Spring time is beautiful with bright green leaves and blue sky
reflecting on the lake water, young people's voices ring out as they
enjoy boating and camping in summer, and fall provides a most
splendid contrast of golden foliage and the lake. Sagami-ko-koen
Park on the lakeside has cherry trees lining the street and visitors
can enjoy every season of the year. Sagami-ko Picnic Land on the
lakeside is a theme park of nature and greenery. Attractions like
the Twin Dragon and Alps Ferris Wheel, Children's Paradise Kittyland,
varied facilities such as courses for mountain bike, tennis courts
and a camping ground are provided. Walking routes in the woods, a
wild birds' square and an Illusion House have been created in the
300,000 square meter Furusato-no-mori. It is full of people who come
here to enjoy a barbecue and a walking in the woods.
Getting there
From Tokyo Station, 58 minutes by JR Chuo Line Rapid Train to
Sagami-ko Station.
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Manazuru
The ideal
site for fishing and diving - The peninsula in the shape of a crane
with open wings
The Manazuru-hanto Peninsula is situated in the southwest of
Kanagawa. The peninsula protrudes into Sagami Bay and its
distinctive shape somehow resembles a crane with open wings. This is
a very popular peninsula for water sports such as fishing and
diving. The primeval forest that occupies the southern part of the
peninsula adds a splendid scenic view.
Manazuru-misaki Point was formed on the edge of the Manazuru-hanto
Peninsula when lava from the Hakone Volcano plunged into Sagami Bay
and solidified. There are three peculiar looking rocks projecting
out of the sea by the edge of Manazuru-misaki Point. They are called
"Mitsuishi", or three rocks, and are the symbolic features of
Manazuru-misaki Point. On a clear day, superb panoramic views
including Oshima Island and the Izu-hanto Peninsula can be
appreciated from the Manazuru Cable Palace. Manazuru Cactus Land
boasts a collection of approximately 30,000 cacti of about 2,500
varieties that come from all over the world. There is also a
pleasure boat that cruises around the Manazuru-hanto Peninsula.
The Kibune-matsuri Festival has its origins in the story of 12
wooden statues on a boat that suddenly appeared from nowhere 1,100
years ago. The festival is held every summer and the sight of a boat
carrying a highly decorative portable shrine across the sea is the
highlight of the festival. Manazuru Harbor is known for marine
products and there are many eating-places where you can make the
most of the fresh seafood.
Getting there
Approximately 40 minutes by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line from
Tokyo Station to Odawara Station. About 10 minute by JR Tokaido Line
from Odawara Station to Manazuru Station.
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Miura-hanto Peninsula
The Peninsula with a mild climate in Sagami Bay - The natural
beauty of the sea closest to the large cities
The Miura Peninsula is in the southeastern part of Kanagawa and
protrudes into the sea between Tokyo Bay and Sagami Bay. Its climate
is rather mild due to the Kuroshio Current. Large cities such as
Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaki are close by and the peninsula is a
very convenient and popular leisure spot for marine sports. In the
north of the peninsula, there is Kamakura City that was once the
capital of Japan in the 13th century. There is also Zushi Beach.
This is a calm beach with gentle waves and it attracts a number of
visitors in summer. Yokosuka, in the central part of the peninsula,
is always associated with the U.S. Base in the area and is a popular
town that attracts young people with its exotic atmosphere.
Kannon-zaki Point, in the southern part of the Miura Peninsula, is
well known for Japan's first western-style lighthouse that still
watches over ships that come in and go out of Tokyo Bay. Aburatsubo
is another place to visit in the south of the peninsula. It is
situated along a beautiful coastline and Aburatsubo Marine Park is a
particularly popular place where dolphins and seals amuse spectators
with their wonderful performances. Misaki Harbor is a very active
place to visit. This is a very busy harbor that is especially
facilitated for tuna fishing and the sight when whole tuna is landed
at the harbor will fascinate your eyes. The panoramic view from
Misaki Harbor is most splendid with Jo-ga-shima Island close by in
the Sagami Sea. The nature of Jo-ga-shima Island is abundant and its
beauty was described in a poem by Hakushu Kitahara who was a famous
poet since the early 20th century. Come to the Miura-hanto
Peninsula. A beautiful coastline, attractive places to visit, not to
mention gorgeous fish cuisine - the Miura-hanto Peninsula is surely
the land of plenty.
Getting there
Ten minutes by JR Yamanote Line from Tokyo Station to Shinagawa
Station. An hour 10 minutes by Kehin Kyuko Line Limited Express from
Shinagawa Station to Misakiguchi Station.
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Odawara
The hub of the transportation system - The entrance to the Fuji
Hakone Izu National Park
Odawara City is situated in the southwest of Kanagawa Prefecture
with the Haya-kawa River and the Sakawa-gawa River flowing through
the city. Odawara is the hub of the transportation system where
major railways such as JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line and Odakyu Line
and Route 1 all meet. It is also the entrance to the Fuji Hakone Izu
National Park and is always busy with visitors and traffic.
Odawara initially flourished around the castle of the Hojo clan that
ruled the area during the 15th century and it further prospered
during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries as a post town by the
Tokaido, which was the main transport artery that inked Edo (former
name of Tokyo) and Kyoto. Odawara Joshi Park (castle ruins park) is
well known for plum blossoms in spring and the plum festival
attracts large crowds of people every year. The park has been
created around the castle tower that is the symbol of Odawara and
which overlooks the whole city.
Fresh seafood is brought into Odawara Harbor everyday and kamaboko -
steamed processed fish meat cleverly formed on a wooden block is one
of the representative marine products of Odawara. Other nationally
famous special products of Odawara include pickled plums, paper
lanterns and parquetry.
Getting there
Approximately 40 minutes by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line from
Tokyo Station to Odawara Station.
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Yukawara
The mild
climate and the scenic view of Sagami Bay - The spa town that
novelists adored
Yugawara-onsen Hot Sring is situated at the base of the
Izu-hanto Peninsula, from where the scenic view of Sagami Bay can be
appreciated, and has been known as an ancient spa town because it
was described in Manyoshu, Japan's most ancient collection of poems.
The Chitose-gawa River and the Fujiki-gawa River flow through the
center of Yugawara and the sight of rows of spa inns standing along
the each river is a sight peculiar to the spa resorts in Japan. The
mild climate and the abundance of lush nature of Yugawara fascinated
many famous Japanese novelist of the late 19th century such as
Soseki Natsume, Toson Shimazaki and Ryunosuke Akutagawa. Yugawara
has become known as a health resort that is associated with these
novelists ever since.
Another features in Yugawara is that it has many historical sites
that are connected to the Kamakura Shogunate that wielded power in
the 1200's. There is Jogan-ji Temple, for instance, where the family
of the Doi clan, who ruled Yugawara, was buried and in the precinct
of the temple there is an enormous cypress tree with an estimated
age of 800 years. The tree is listed as a natural monument. It is
also notable that many women come to visit Yugawara as they say that
Yugawara's hot spring blesses women with children. The Yukake (water
splashing) Festival is a unique festival that is held every spring.
It attracts large crowds of people every year.
Getting there
Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by JR Tokaido-honsen Line
Limited Express Train from Tokyo Station to Yugawara Station.
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Information
provided by Japan National Tourist Organization.
