Tourism Resources

Tourism Resources

Kanagawa Prefecture has a rich history and many fascinating sites to explore. Delve deeper into Kanagawa culture with these additional resources. Learn the stories behind famous Buddhist temples, discover the healthy and fortifying diets of Buddhist monks, understand the distinctive qualities of the region’s delicious sake, and much more.

The Fuma Ninja of Odawara
The city of Odawara was once the home of the illustrious Fuma Ninja clan. Situated on the Pacific coast, just south of Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture, Odawara was a key location during Japan’s feudal era and remains a major transportation hub. Today, Odawara can be accessed from Tokyo or Yokohama by a 30-90 minute ride on the Tokaido Shinkansen, JR Tokaido Lineor Odakyu Odawara Line. The Tokaido Shinkansen also provides access from Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka.

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Yokohama
The second largest city in Japan after Tokyo, Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and played a pivotal role in Japan’s history. It was one of the first ports to be opened to trade with Western nations after the negotiation of the Harris Treaty with the U.S. in 1858. As such, Yokohama has a uniquely international flair, which can be seen reflected in its architecture, food, and elsewhere.

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A Mountain Retreat in Hakone Essay
I live in Kamakura, a seaside town one hour from Tokyo by train. From the hills around my house, I can look north to the distant skyscrapers, south to the Pacific, and to the west, the mountains surrounding iconic Mt. Fuji. The largest of these mountains is Mt. Hakone, the “steepest in the land,” according to the beginning of the classic song, Hakone Hachiri (1901, composed by Rentaro Taki). 

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Eating Zen in Kamakura Essay
In Japan, before each meal we say Itadakimasu. Meaning “I receive,” it is an expression of gratitude for the lives we take when we eat. This spirit of gratitude is one of the cornerstones of shojin ryori or “ascetic cooking,” a vegetarian cuisine that is an integral part of the practice of Zen Buddhism. 

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Additional Tourism Resources
Please use these resources and links to plan your next visit to Kanagawa, Japan.