Kanagawa
Kanagawa neighbors Tokyo to the south and is Kanto's second-most populous prefecture with 9.2 million residents, opening onto Sagami Bay and the Pacific. Within easy day-trip range it combines Kamakura — the ancient capital where Minamoto no Yoritomo founded his shogunate in 1192 — Yokohama's port (gateway during Japan's opening to the world), the Hakone hot springs with Mt. Fuji views, the Shonan coast, and the Tanzawa mountains, all in one compact photography region.
Highlights
- Great Buddha and Hasedera in Kamakura — the 11.4m bronze National Treasure cast in 1252, with Hasedera famed for hydrangeas (June) and autumn colors (November)
- Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 and Red Brick Warehouse — the 296m Landmark Tower, harbor nightscapes, and blue-hour shots that rival any in Kanto
- Enoshima and the Shonan coast — Mt. Fuji silhouetted with Enoshima island is one of Japan's iconic seascapes, especially at sunset
- Hakone — Lake Ashi with Mt. Fuji, the volcanic plumes of Owakudani, the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and Gora hot springs
- Miura Peninsula and Jogashima — cliffs with views of Boso and Tokyo Bay, a lighthouse, and sea caves; an underrated coastal photography spot
Quick Answers
What is Kanagawa Prefecture?
Tokyo's southern neighbor and Kanto's second-largest prefecture, where the ancient capital of Kamakura (founded 1192), the port city of Yokohama, Hakone with Mt. Fuji views, and the Shonan coast are all within day-trip range.
Best way to visit Kamakura and Yokohama?
Morning at Kamakura temples (Great Buddha, Hasedera, Kenchoji), then afternoon to Yokohama for Red Brick Warehouse sunset and Minato Mirai night shots. JR connects them in 25 minutes.
When is the best season to photograph Kanagawa?
Kamakura hydrangeas mid-June, autumn colors late November to early December, Shonan sunsets with Mt. Fuji in winter (clearest air), and cherry blossoms in early April. Hakone peaks for autumn colors in November.
