Kanto · Guide de la Préfecture
Ancienne capitale des samouraïs, ville portuaire cosmopolite et paradis thermal volcanique — à moins d'une heure de Tokyo
Kanagawa est le discret surdoué installé juste au sud de Tokyo. En une seule préfecture, vous pouvez vous incliner devant un Grand Bouddha vieux de 800 ans à Kamakura, déguster une bière artisanale avec vue sur le front de mer illuminé de Yokohama, vous prélasser dans un onsen brumeux avec vue directe sur le Mt. Fuji depuis Hakone, et terminer la journée avec des shirasu fraîches pêchées le matin même au large des côtes de Shonan. Facilement accessible depuis Tokyo en 30 à 90 minutes de train, Kanagawa récompense les visiteurs qui s'aventurent au-delà de la capitale — avec bien moins de foule que Kyoto et tout autant d'histoire, de beauté et de saveurs.
Kanagawa est l'une des préfectures les plus accessibles du Japon. Yokohama est à 25 minutes de Tokyo en express, Kamakura à 55 minutes, et Hakone à environ 85 minutes via le Romancecar Odakyu — ce qui rend les excursions à la journée depuis Tokyo très pratiques, même si une nuit sur place vous permet de profiter de la région à son meilleur.
Des guides complets pour planifier chaque aspect de votre séjour — des incontournables aux meilleurs restaurants et événements saisonniers.
Japan's most famous outdoor bronze Buddha stands 13.35 m tall at Kotoku-in temple. Cast in 1252, it has survived typhoons, tsunamis, and earthquakes. The statue is hollow — you can enter for ¥20. Surrounded by wooded hills, it is one of Japan's most serene and iconic sights.
Japan's first open-air art museum spreads 70,000 m² of mountain meadow with over 120 large-scale sculptures by Rodin, Miro, Calder, and Picasso. Walk through works of art with Mt. Hakone in the background. The indoor Picasso Pavilion holds the world's largest Picasso collection outside Europe.
Enoshima Island's Sea Candle observation lighthouse offers 360° views across Sagami Bay to Mt. Fuji — best at sunset when the volcano turns deep crimson against a pink sky. The island's approach via a 600-m causeway, sea cave shrines, and fresh shirasu (whitebait) cuisine make it a perfect half-day trip from Tokyo.
Yokohama's landmark waterfront district combines the towering Landmark Tower observatory, the historic Red Brick Warehouse, and the Cosmo Clock Ferris wheel along a beautiful harbour promenade. The night skyline reflected in Yokohama Bay is one of Japan's most spectacular urban views.
A small island connected to the mainland by a 600 m bridge, Enoshima is packed with atmosphere: a hillside shrine complex, sea caves (Iwaya), a sea candle lighthouse with Mt. Fuji views, quirky street food, and the famous Bentenjima tidal flat at sunset.
Asia's largest Chinatown fills 500+ shops and restaurants into a labyrinth of vermillion gates and neon-lit alleyways. Founded after the 1859 opening of Yokohama port, it's a living piece of history. The Kanteibyo temple (1871) and the spectacular Zenpukumon Gate are standouts.
Housed in a recreation of a 1958 Tokyo back street, the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum showcases nine regional ramen styles from Sapporo to Kyushu under one roof. Visitors receive ¥500 mini-ramen tokens to sample multiple styles — the best way to understand Japan's extraordinary noodle diversity in a single visit.
Miura's Misaki port is one of Japan's top tuna landing sites, offloading catches from the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The town around it is packed with tuna-everything restaurants: tuna sashimi, tuna ramen, tuna curry, tuna ice cream. Fresh and cheap — a 90-minute train from Tokyo.
Yokohama Chinatown is a feast for all senses. Join the queue for giant nikuman (steamed pork buns), graze on baked custard tarts, and settle into a banquet hall for proper dim sum and Cantonese roast duck. The food here is more authentic and more varied than anywhere else in Japan.
The Shonan coast is Japan's capital of shirasu (whitebait). Dozens of restaurants along the Kamakura–Enoshima coast serve raw or boiled shirasu over hot rice in a bowl, often eaten overlooking the sea. The season runs March to December — in winter, the area switches to dried shirasu.
Odawara has been Japan's kamaboko (fish paste) capital for centuries, thanks to its fishermen and the Hakone mountains providing fresh spring water. Visit a kamaboko factory and watch artisans shape it by hand, then graze through the seafood market at Odawara Port for grilled fish and negitoro rolls.
Ie-kei (家系) ramen was born in Yokohama in 1974. Its hallmark is a rich, creamy tonkotsu-shoyu broth with thick straight noodles, three slices of chashu pork, spinach, and nori seaweed draped over the bowl. Yoshimuraya in Shin-Yokohama is the legendary birthplace.
The Daibutsu Hiking Course connects Kita-Kamakura to the Great Buddha through 2.5 km of forested ridge trail passing ancient tumuli, a Buddhist pond garden, and viewpoints over Sagami Bay. The contrast between quiet cedar forest and the famous 11-m bronze Amida Buddha waiting at trail's end makes this the most rewarding approach to one of Japan's most famous monuments.
Hakone sits inside the caldera of an ancient volcano, with Lake Ashi reflecting Mt. Fuji on clear mornings. Cruise across the lake on a replica pirate ship, ride the Hakone Ropeway over steaming Owakudani volcanic vents, and stroll through beech forests on the Hakone Old Highway — all in one day.
The Tanzawa range is the nearest serious mountain hiking to Tokyo, with peaks topping 1,500 m. The Omote-Tanzawa plateau is carpeted with ancient beech forest, and autumn colours here rival Nikko's. The iconic Mt. Oyama offers a steep but rewarding 2-hour ascent with sweeping Sagami Bay views.
Oyama (1,252 m) has been a sacred mountain since antiquity — the Afuri Shrine at its peak has been a pilgrimage destination for 2,000 years. The forested trail passes waterfalls and stone lanterns before revealing panoramic views of Sagami Bay and Mt. Fuji. The footpath is lined with restaurants serving mountain tofu.
The 15 km Shonan coast stretches from Kamakura to Chigasaki with Japan's most famous surf beaches and stunning sunset views of Mt. Fuji silhouetted across the water. In summer it's packed; in winter, when skies are clearest, you'll often have the sand to yourself with Fuji dominating the horizon.
The rugged southern tip of Kanagawa offers dramatic sea cliffs, small fishing harbours, and clear water ideal for snorkelling. Jogashima island at the very tip has a 3 km coastal walk with lighthouse views, tidal pools full of sea creatures, and wild flowers carpeting the clifftops in spring.
Hakone has been Japan's most popular hot spring resort for centuries, drawing the Tokyo elite seeking mountain air and volcanic mineral waters. Dozens of ryokan offer private outdoor baths (rotenburo) with Mt. Fuji views, multi-course kaiseki dinner, and yukata robes. A classic Japanese experience just 80 minutes from Shinjuku.
Enoshima Island's Sea Candle observation lighthouse offers 360° views across Sagami Bay to Mt. Fuji — best at sunset when the volcano turns deep crimson against a pink sky. The island's approach via a 600-m causeway, sea cave shrines, and fresh shirasu (whitebait) cuisine make it a perfect half-day trip from Tokyo.
Built right on the Sagami Bay coastline, Enosui is one of Japan's most beautiful aquariums. The deep-sea tank recreates the canyon off the coast of Sagami Bay, while the jellyfish fantasy hall glows with dozens of ethereal species. The dolphin and seal shows play out against open ocean views.
A free-entry amusement park in the heart of Minato Mirai, anchored by the 112 m Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel (free to look at, paid to ride). Roller coasters, water rides, and game arcades line the waterfront. The giant wheel lights up spectacularly at night against the harbour skyline.
A combined aquarium and amusement park on a small island in Yokohama, connected to the mainland by a scenic pedestrian bridge. The aquarium holds walruses, beluga whales, and dozens of other species, while the park outside has roller coasters including one that dives into the sea. Entry to the island is free.
The Shonan coast is the birthplace of Japanese surf culture. Chigasaki and Kamakura's Yuigahama Beach host surf schools, board rentals, and beach bars from June to September. The coastal cycling route from Kamakura to Enoshima and beyond is flat, scenic, and ideal for a half-day ride.
Launched over Yokohama's spectacular international harbour every August, this is one of Japan's largest fireworks displays — 12,000 shells fired over 70 minutes above the illuminated Minato Mirai skyline and Red Brick Warehouse. The waterfront becomes a sea of spectators, and viewing from the port ferry or a restaurant on the 58th floor adds an unforgettable dimension.
One of the most spectacular fireworks shows in the Kanto region launches from Yokohama Bay each summer, with 10,000+ shells reflected in the harbour waters as Minato Mirai's skyscrapers form the backdrop. Reserve a restaurant terrace seat or stake out a spot on the Marine Tower observation deck months in advance.
The Kamakura Festival fills the city with samurai-era pageantry for two weeks in April. The highlight is yabusame — mounted archery at full gallop through the avenue of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine. Processions in Heian court costume, traditional dance performances, and the scent of spring blossoms fill the ancient streets.
The Hakone Ekiden is Japan's most watched New Year sports event — a two-day relay marathon between Tokyo and Hakone involving 20 university teams. Over 3 million spectators line the 217 km route; 30 million more watch on TV. The mountain section through Hakone on Day 2 is among the most dramatic in athletics.
Held in the Red Brick Warehouse plaza on Yokohama's waterfront, this official partner event of the Munich Oktoberfest is Japan's largest, drawing 300,000 visitors over three weeks. Authentic German beer, pretzels, sausages, and live oompah bands in front of the illuminated Minato Mirai skyline — a uniquely Yokohama spectacle.
Odawara Castle transforms into the headquarters of the Hojo clan during this three-day festival commemorating the castle's five great lords. Over 1,000 participants march in full 16th-century samurai armour and court costume past the castle walls, with naginata and sword demonstrations, firing drills, and taiko drumming.
Engakuji and Kencho-ji temples in Kamakura offer early-morning zazen (seated Zen meditation) sessions open to foreign visitors without reservation. Sitting in the main hall of a 700-year-old Zen temple, guided by a monk through 45 minutes of silent seated meditation, is a profoundly different experience from any tourist activity — the most direct contact with living Japanese Zen practice.
Yokohama Chinatown — Japan's largest and Asia's most visited — hosts cooking schools teaching Chinese dim sum and dumpling making. Small-group classes fold har gow, shape xiao long bao soup dumplings, and steam char siu bao alongside Chinese chefs. The hands-on technique of sealing the pleated wrappers is harder than it looks and immediately rewarding when they emerge from the steamer.
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