A Journey Through Japanese Breakfast

There is a quiet beauty to mornings in Japan, and in a peaceful place like Kanagawa Prefecture, it’s the perfect time to savor a proper breakfast—especially a traditional Japanese one. Kanagawa’s coastal charm and fertile landscape come together beautifully in its cuisine. The region is renowned for its fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, and high-quality local ingredients—all of which make breakfast here not just a meal, but an experience truly worth waking up early for.

When in Kanagawa, be sure to try these three unique Japanese breakfast experiences that showcase the region’s flavors and traditions:

Hanagoyomi at THE KAHALA HOTEL ＆ RESORT YOKOHAMA

Start strong with a luxury Japanese breakfast in Yokohama. If you want to elevate your morning experience, THE KAHALA HOTEL ＆ RESORT’s Japanese restaurant, Hanagoyomi, delivers sophistication with every bite. This luxurious spot takes the traditional Japanese breakfast to the next level with beautifully plated seasonal dishes, premium ingredients, and impeccable hospitality.

Breakfast is served from 7am to 10:30am (last order at 9:30am) and features a thoughtfully prepared traditional Japanese meal. It is priced at ¥5,500 (¥6,957, including tax and service charge). The current breakfast menu, available from June 2, 2025, to March 31, 2026, begins with three varieties of fresh vegetable juices and a pot of tea, followed by a shellfish broth hotpot with abalone and clams.

The meal continues with grilled silver cod, Eju egg roll, homemade tofu with tortoiseshell sauce, simmered beef with potato, salmon roe marinated in soy sauce, seasonal vegetables simmered in broth, and Yokosuka Hashirimu grilled seaweed topped with softly shaved dried bonito flakes. These delicacies are followed by a warm-boiled egg, assorted pickles, Shonan dried baby sardines with sansho pepper, earthenware pot-cooked Inochi no Ichi rice, miso soup made with Odawara Iichi miso, and the dessert of the day. The rice is particularly noteworthy as it is sourced from Gifu Prefecture and prized for its slightly thicker grains and rich texture.

To enhance your dining experience, we recommend combining various side dishes or trying ochazuke, a comforting Japanese dish in which green tea, dashi, or hot water is poured over rice and topped with ingredients such as salmon, pickled plum, or bonito flakes. Simply pour the tea over the rice in your bowl and top it with your favorite dish from the set.

Hanagoyomi also offers an exceptional dining experience where modern design meets traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The restaurant is set afloat on a vast water garden, with sparkling reflections incorporated into the interior. Shoji screens, kumiko latticework, and delicate wooden partitions also contribute to its serene, elegant environment.

Hanagoyomi has a total of 72 seats and 16 rooms, including a variety of private rooms to accommodate different group sizes—perfect for those seeking a more intimate dining experience. There are three 2-person rooms, eight 4-person rooms, four 6-person rooms, and one 10-person room, which can be reserved for groups of six or more. For added convenience, guests can also enjoy the option of having their breakfast delivered directly to their room.

Hanagoyomi is located inside THE KAHALA HOTEL ＆ RESORT. From Yokohama Station, take the Bayside Blue bus from the Yokohama Station Front 04 stop and get off at Pacifico Yokohama North, a 1-minute walk to the hotel. Alternatively, it’s about a 9-minute walk from Minatomirai Station.

Yugyoan Kyoto Luxury Breakfast at Hotel New Grand

Still in Yokohama, New Grand Hotel’s Yugyoan serves luxury traditional Kyoto breakfast from 7am to 10am. Guests can choose from two options: the traditional Japanese breakfast or the Kyoto morning porridge asagayu, each priced at ¥4,500 (tax and service charge included). Prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients, the meal presents a harmonious balance of flavors and textures, reflecting the refined simplicity of Japanese cuisine.

This breakfast is available exclusively in the Japanese dining area, and private rooms are not offered during this service. It is also not available during the New Year holidays. The menu changes according to ingredient availability and seasonal variations, ensuring a dining experience that feels both timely and authentic. A sample seasonal menu includes a four-piece appetizer platter, a grilled dish—mainly a fish, a small side dish, mixed vegetables, assorted simmered dish, miso soup, and plain rice porridge. The fish, often Chilean salmon, serves as the centerpiece of the meal, offering tender flesh and delicate flavor that sets the tone for the breakfast.

Adding to the luxury breakfast is the view. As you dine, the panoramic view of Yokohama Port transforms the quiet meal into a sensory moment. Through the wide wooden frame of the dining area, the city’s maritime charm unfolds, so you’ll see ferries gliding across calm waters. It is definitely the perfect way to start the day.

Yugyoan is located inside the Hotel New Grand. From Kannai Station, it’s about a 12-minute walk via the Yamashita-dori route, or a short taxi ride of roughly 5 minutes. Guests arriving from Yokohama Station can take the Minato Mirai Line to Motomachi-Chukagai Station and walk about three minutes to the hotel.

Shonan Seafood at Enoshima Koya

For a more approachable seaside favorite, Enoshima Koya offers an authentic taste of Shonan’s coastal bounty. Unlike the previously mentioned restaurants tucked inside hotels, this charming eatery is conveniently located just a short walk from Enoshima Station, making it easily accessible for both locals and visitors. Guests can enjoy not only the fresh seafood but also a pleasant view of the nearby river, adding a serene backdrop to the dining experience.

The recommended Japanese breakfast is the Fisherman’s Soup Set, priced at ¥1,490. This hearty meal features a rich seafood soup prepared with freshly caught fish, simmered slowly to extract its deep, savory flavor. The soup is rich, thick, and deeply aromatic, offering a comforting and flavorful base for the meal. The accompanying deep-fried fish is cooked to a perfect crisp, making even the bones tender enough to be ground and eaten along with the rest of the dish. For an enhanced experience, it is recommended to crush the entire fish and mix it into the soup, much like a crouton, allowing the flavors and textures to meld together and adding a subtle umami depth that elevates every spoonful.

Accompanying the soup are tender slices of sashimi and squid, rice cooked to perfection, and crisp pickled vegetables that enhance the overall balance of the meal. Each element is carefully prepared to complement the others, creating a harmonious dining experience. The sashimi set changes with the seasons, offering a curated selection that reflects the freshest catches of the moment. Overall, every item is thoughtfully arranged, not only to showcase the natural flavors but also to highlight the artistry and attention to detail that define traditional Japanese coastal cuisine.

The breakfast is served from 8am to 10:30am, and it’s highly recommended for those seeking a wholesome start to the day rooted in authentic local flavors. The combination of warm rice, flavorful broth, and fresh seafood creates a comforting experience that captures the heart of Japan’s morning dining culture.

Enoshima Koya is located just a short walk from Enoshima Station on the Odakyu Enoshima Line and the Enoden Line in Fujisawa, Kanagawa. From the station, it’s about 5 to 7 minutes on foot, heading toward the Enoshima island area along the river. The restaurant is open from 8:00am to 7:00pm daily, but hours may differ during holidays.

Kanagawa’s breakfast scene has something for every kind of morning seeker, whether you’re drawn to fresh Shonan seafood, authentic traditional Japanese flavors, or luxury breakfast at hotels. At the heart of these mornings is a strong connection to local and seasonal ingredients. Seafood caught along the Shonan coast arrives fresh, letting dishes highlight the natural flavors of the region’s waters. All the coastal dishes showcase the bounty of the sea, while seasonal vegetables from nearby farms add color, texture, and a gentle sweetness that balances the meal. Even simple staples like rice and miso soup are carefully selected, ensuring that every bite reflects both quality and authenticity. Kanagawa Japanese breakfasts emphasize how attention to seasonality and local sourcing can elevate a meal into something memorable.