Around Tokyo (Yokohama, Kamakura, Yokosuka)
Kanagawa is a prefecture located in the southern Kanto region of Japan, and it's capital is Yokohama. With a population of 8.9 million people (as of 2008), Kanagawa has now become the second largest inhabited prefecture in Japan.
The large port cities of Yokohama and Kawasaki loosely connect with the southeast Miura Peninsula. Yokohama's Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan. There are US military bases such as Camp Zama (Army), Yokosuka Naval Base, and Naval Air Station Atsugi in Kanagawa.
Tourists flock to the ancient city of Kamakura in order to see some of it's beautiful Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. In Kotokuin (home to the famous Great Buddha), a bronze statue of Amida rises to 13.35 meters, making it the second largest of it's kind in Japan.
The western area, bordered by Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture, is more mountainous and includes hot-spring resort areas such as Odawara and Hakone.
Hakone is famous for it's beautiful natural surroundings and hot springs. Along with the many hot springs in this area, there are also a number of charming and atmospheric ryokans (traditional Japanese hotels).
Yokohama is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture, located in the southern part of the Kanto region. As the second largest city in Japan, it is also a major commercial hub for the Greater Tokyo Area. The Yokohama Station area is home to a wide variety of department stores, hotels, movie theaters and other commercial facilities, and this area forms the largest-scale shopping zone in the city.
The bay area of Minato Mirai 21, meanwhile, features the Yokohama Landmark Tower (Japan's tallest building), Cosmo Clock 21 (a large Ferris wheel) and Yokohama Akarenga, a shopping center housed in a distinctive red-brick structure. The Minato Mirai 21 project was originally launched in order to expand the ship-building docks into a fully-fledged metropolitan district, and the rejuvenated area now caters to visitors of all ages.
Yamashita Park Area offers some wonderful views of the port, giving visitors the chance to watch the ships sailing in and out of the harbor while seagulls fly overhead. Kannai is a historic port area, and it has seen a fascinating mix of both old and new culture over the years. It is also known for introducing ice-cream and the first gas lamps to Japan.
Other places of note are Yokohama Chinatown (the largest Chinatown in Japan) and the cozy and fashionable Motomachi Shopping area. Next to Motomachi, Yamate used to be a Westerners' settlement which overlooked the harbor. Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery and the Harbor View Park (Minato no mieru oka k?en) are also in this area.
In the park area, you can visit the rose gardens and the Kanagawa Museum of Modern Literature (Kanagawa kindai bungakkan). The Shin-Yokohama district, where the Shinkansen station is located, is some distance away from the harbor area. It features the 17,000 capacity Yokohama Arena, the Shin-Yokohama Ramen (Noodle) Museum, and Nissan Stadium, which was known as the "International Stadium Yokohama" when it hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup final.
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Yokohama Visitors' Guide
Minato Mirai 21
The family sport where you can enjoy meals, cinemas, amusement, hotels and shoping. It is directly connected from the station and also nearby the port. The night view is also amazing.
Yokohama China Town
Remarkable sightseeing place in Yokohama area. This China town is the biggest in worldwide next the one in China. It is possible to purchase Chinese ingredients and also enjoy Chinese dishes at restaurants or stalls.
Yokohama Landmark Tower
The symbol of Yokohama, there are 160 shops for shopping at "Landmark plaza", the observation platform "Sky garden" on 69th floor, multipurpose hall ‘Dog yard garden' which is made by stones and even hotels. The view from "Sky garden" can offer even central Tokyo, sunset or even night view when the weather is nice. It is possible to view Mt.Fuji.
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
It is rebuilt from old warehouse made by bricks and it is very popular shopping malls now. You can watch huge vessels in the port while you are eating and purchasing. There is follower garden in summer and Christmas market in winter.
Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
The theme park of the sea, island and animals having aqua museum, amusement park, shopping mall, restaurants and hotels. One of the recommended spots is "Entertainment island" where there are 4 different theme of aqua museums and you can enjoy some attractions.
From Shinjuku Station to Yokohama Station
- Route 1 [Approx. 30 minutes / 550yen]
Shinjuku Station → (JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line : about 30 minutes / 550yen) → Yokohama Station
- Route 2 [Approx. 40 minutes / 550yen]
Shinjuku Station → (JR Yamanote Line : about 18 minutes / total fee 550yen) → Shinagawa Station → (JR Tōkaidō Main Line : about 16 minutes) → Yokohama Station
- Route 3 [Approx. 40 minutes / 500yen]
Shinjuku Station → (JR Yamanote Line : about 18 minutes / 200yen) → Shinagawa Station → (Keikyu Main Line : about 18 minutes / 300yen) → Yokohama Station
From Shibuya Station to Yokohama Station
- Route 1 [Approx. 30 minutes / 270yen]
Shibuya Station → (Tokyu Toyoko Line : about 30 minutes / 270yen) → Yokohama Station
- Route 2 [Approx. 25 minutes / 390yen]
Shibuya Station → (JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line : about 25 minutes / 390yen) → Yokohama Station
From Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station
- [Approx. 27 minutes / 470yen] Tokyo Station → (JR Tokaido Main Line : about 27 minutes / 470yen) → Yokohama Station
Kamakura is in Kanagawa Prefecture, it takes less than 1 hour from Tokyo.
It is an ancient and political capital like Kyoto or Nara and well known as the birthplace of Japan's first military government the "Kamakura Bakufu" in 1192.
There are many temples, shrines and other historical monuments. Due to this, it is sometimes called small Kyoto.
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Kamakura INFO
The Great Buddha and Kotoku-in Temple
The symbol of Kamakura area "Kamakura Budda". It is registered as National treasure in Japan. It is possible to go into its inside (charged 20 JPY separately from admission fee) till 4:30pm.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
15 minutes away from Kamakura station. The admission fee is free (Homotsu-den will be charged). There are many festivals through all seasons and the most famous one is Yabusame festival in September. Hongu is registered as Important Cultural Properties in Japan and also there are many cultural things are displayed in Homotsu-den.
Hase-dera Temple
It's really close to Hasedera station in Enoden line. This temple is known as Saiho Gokuraku Jodo (the West Pure Land) and also famous for flower temple thanks to its garden. The view of Yuigahama sea from here is also beautiful.
Hokokuji Temple
It takes around 30 minutes on your foot from Kamakura station. It is also well-known as "Bamboo temple" for the tourists from oversea as there is such beautiful bamboo garden in there. You can find Japanese tea place in the garden and have a cup of Japanese tea seeing the bamboos.
Enoshima Electric Railway
It's well-known as "Enoden", which is the local train between Kamakura and Fujisawa. You can enjoy the nature scenery both mountains and the sea while you are getting on and will forget your busy life for a moment!
From Shinjuku Station
- Route 1 [Approx. 60 minutes / 920yen]
Shinjuku Station → (JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line : about 58 minutes / 920yen) → Kamakura Station
- Route 2 [Approx. 65 minutes / 920yen]
Shinjuku Station → (JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line : about 41 minutes / total fee 920yen) → Totsuka Station → (JR Yokosuka Line : about 14 minutes) → Kamakura Station
- Route 3 [Approx. 70 minutes / 920yen]
Shinjuku Station → (JR Yamanote Line : about 18minutes / total fee 920yen) → Shinagawa Station → (JR Yokosuka Line : about 49 minutes) → Kamakura Station
From Tokyo Station
- Route 1 [Approx. 60 minutes / 920yen]
Tokyo Station → (JR Yokosuka Line : about 60 minutes / 920yen) → Kamakura Station
- Route 2 [Approx. 75 minutes / 920yen]
Tokyo Station → (JR Chuo Line : about 15 minutes / total fee 920yen) → Shinjuku Station → (JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line : about 58 minutes) → Kamakura Station
- Route 3 [Approx. 75 minutes / 810yen]
Tokyo Station → (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line : about 9 minutes / 170yen) → Shinagawa Station → (Keikyū Main Line : about 17 minutes / 300yen) → Yokohama Station → (JR Yokosuka Line : about 26 minutes / 340yen) → Kamakura Station
There is U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka FAC3099 in Yokosuka and Miura area in Kanagawa prefecture, which has the exotic atmosphere. It's quite popular sightseeing place thanks to nice beaches and its fresh sea breeze. After enjoying the beach, many people also take hot spring and relax themselves.
Yokohama is highly recommended for staying.
Booking.com Yokosuka Port Market
Port Market means "local production, local consumption market", where you can purchase and enjoy local fresh foods.
There are 5 fish shops, fruit and vegetable shops, butchers, bakery or even souvenir shops of Yokosuka. You can also enjoy local fresh dishes which are used local vegetables or fishes caught nearby the port at restaurants in there. If you are a little hungry, you can find fast food restaurants of pizza and ice cream.
The access is very convenient thanks to the loop-line bus; a circle bus Yokosuka-chuo / Mikasa. Let’s enjoy fresh and safe seasonal foods!
Basic information
[Address] 6 Shinkocho Yokosuka city Kanagawa prefecture 238-0005
[Access]
On foot: 10 minutes walk from Yokosuka-chuo station / Kehin-Tohoku line
By bus: Take a circle bus Yokosuka-chuo / Mikasa, get off the bus stop "Port Market Mae"
[Open] From 10am to 7pm *Restaurants are open from 11am to 9pm.
Closed: Every Monday (When it is bank holiday in Japan, it is open)
Sarushima island is located in Yokosuka city, Kanagawa prefecture (next Tokyo). You can easily access there by Keikyu line, get off Yokosuka chuo station and then take a ferry for 30 minutes. This is the biggest uninhabited island in Tokyo bay.
There are many outdoor activities in the island such as fishing, BBQ, beach through all seasons.
You can also explore inside the island learning history. There is the old tunnel made by old bricks, gun battery of the army in woods.
Why don’t you experience amazing adventure in this uninhabited island?
Basic information
[Access]
15 minutes walk from Yokosuka chuo station, Kekyu line to Mikasa-san bridge
30 minutes walk from Yokosuka station to Mikasa-san bridge
*10 minutes from Mikasa-san bridge to Sarushima island by ferry
[Sarushima ferry]
Fare: 1,300JPY for adults, 650JPY for under elementary school students
Entrance fee: 200JPY for adults (over 15 years old), 100JPY for children (from 6 to 14 years old)
[Schedule]
Every day between March and November
Weekend and bank holiday only between December to February
Legend of Sarushima island
Saint Nichiren story (The origin of the name "Sarushima island")
While Saint Nichiren was on a voyage in Tokyo bay, there was thick foggy around and they lost their way. He repeated the Nichiren prayer and the white monkey was suddenly appeared on the boat then indicated him to the island, which was the Sarushima island. Due to this legend, this island was named "Sarushima".
Exploring the World Heritage island
In Sarushima island, there used to be batteries and the island was allotted to protect Tokyo Bay. As you can imagine, it used to be "fortress island". Due to being banned to enter the island apart from the relevant people, it was existed valuable nature and historical heritages. Thanks to this, Sarushima was registered as National Historic Sites in 2015.
If you walk only 5 minutes from the beach, it is now fortress area. You may be surprised the gap and mysterious atmosphere. You will find in there barracks, batteries and long tunnel. The building made by bricks with "French method" will attract your eyes. This is existing only 4 places in Japan. The exotic tunnel made by bricks is as valuable as architect.
The sightseeing spots
Observation platform: You can reach there after the path of fortress. It used to be used as observatory with 5 batteries.
Fortress of the kiridoshi: There is fortress made by bricks in Meiji period (1868-1912) as it used to be.
The tunnels made by bricks: There are many tunnels made by bricks which are laid ‘French style’. They have been kept as it used to be.
Square field: This is the observation field where you can view Yokosuka city and Tokyo Bay. Good place for picnic or walking!
If you are big fan of STUDIO GHIBLI, it is gossiped that this places was used as the model of the castle from ‘The Flying Island’. The view reminds us the film so much feeling like the robots would suddenly appear in front of us.
Outdoor experience such as fishing and beach!
The most attractive adventure in this island is outdoor experience. One of them is fishing. As there is hallows around the island, everywhere is the good sport for it, could be the best one in Yokosuka city. During Spring or Autumn, it will be exhilarating feeling to throw fishing rod! When the tide is ebbing at "Oimonohana" and "Yonenone", you can enjoy the beach activities and may find many sea animals.
Swimming at the inhabitant beach!
The beach at Sarushima is open from 11th of July and 31st of August in 2015. It is safe beach as there is rescue team during summer. (Apart from this period, it is banned to swim in this beach.) "Ocean Kitchen" (restaurant), changing-room and shower room are open in Summer as well. If you drink alcohol, you are not allowed to swim in this beach. Enjoy Summer following the rule!
Facilities of the beach
1 beach house (changing-room and shower with charge)
Open from 9am to 4pm
*It is open during the beach season (from middle of July to end of August)
Fee: Adult 600JPY / children 300JPY (under 12 years old)
The rules of Sarushima island
You are not allowed to take your pets. (Except assist dogs and guide dogs)
Fair works or any dangerous playing are banned.
You are unable to stay nights.
The ferry may be cancelled due to bad weather.
Any ingredients are not sold.
The photo shooting of broadcast system
Capture part of the park
Settling or using any audio system
Swimming during closed period
Bringing any portable cooking stove using gas or charcoals, gas or charcoal
Above things are banned in this island. Please do not break the rules and enjoy our beach!
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