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Culture in Kanagawa

Discover the best of Kanagawa’s culture and arts

Kanagawa Prefecture represents one of Japan’s biggest cultural centers. Learn what makes Kanagawa unique, with a range of traditional festivals, historical shrines/temples and local crafts to discover. In the cities, get to know Yokohama’s pop culture offerings, including a range of anime- and manga inspired locations, art museums as well as nightlife options.

Cultural highlights

Explore some of Kanagawa's best things to do and places to go.

Cultural highlights

Explore some of Kanagawa's best things to do and places to go.

Kamakurakokomae Station

Kamakurakokomae Station

The railroad in front of Kamakura High School is a famous site in Slam Dunk.

Mikasa Historic Memorial Warship

Mikasa Historic Memorial Warship

Memorial Ship MIKASA is a battle ship that was built in England 1902 (Meiji 35). In 1905 (Meiji 38), MIKASA was led by Admiral Heihachiro Togo, Commander-in-Chief...

BANDAI NAMCO Cross Store

BANDAI NAMCO Cross Store

The “BANDAI NAMCO Cross Store” is a “touchpoint” where you can see, touch, and experience the characters, products, events, food, drink, and many...

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum

This cultural facility conveys the world of manga artist Fujiko F. Fujio, creator of many works including "Doraemon" and "Perman," and his messages are...

Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

An exhibition of Venetian glass masterpieces that fascinated European royal aristocrats during the Renaissance. There are various facilities in the museum,...

Animate Yokohama Vivre Store

Animate Yokohama Vivre Store

We are open at Yokohama VIVRE 8F (Yokohama Station West Exit)! Come and visit us for all your comic, manga, light novel, character goods, trading cards,...

The Museum of Modern Art, Hayama

The Museum of Modern Art, Hayama

We hold exhibitions several times a year. There is a walking path where you can enjoy sculptures on the grounds, as well as a museum shop and a restaurant...

Kamakurakokomae Station

Kamakurakokomae Station

The railroad in front of Kamakura High School is a famous site in Slam Dunk.

Mikasa Historic Memorial Warship

Mikasa Historic Memorial Warship

Memorial Ship MIKASA is a battle ship that was built in England 1902 (Meiji 35). In 1905 (Meiji 38), MIKASA was led by Admiral Heihachiro Togo, Commander-in-Chief...

BANDAI NAMCO Cross Store

BANDAI NAMCO Cross Store

The “BANDAI NAMCO Cross Store” is a “touchpoint” where you can see, touch, and experience the characters, products, events, food, drink, and many...

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum

This cultural facility conveys the world of manga artist Fujiko F. Fujio, creator of many works including "Doraemon" and "Perman," and his messages are...

Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

An exhibition of Venetian glass masterpieces that fascinated European royal aristocrats during the Renaissance. There are various facilities in the museum,...

Animate Yokohama Vivre Store

Animate Yokohama Vivre Store

We are open at Yokohama VIVRE 8F (Yokohama Station West Exit)! Come and visit us for all your comic, manga, light novel, character goods, trading cards,...

The Museum of Modern Art, Hayama

The Museum of Modern Art, Hayama

We hold exhibitions several times a year. There is a walking path where you can enjoy sculptures on the grounds, as well as a museum shop and a restaurant...

Cultural experiences

Immerse yourself in some of Kanagawa's experiences, from outdoor adventures to hands-on traditional activities

Yokohama Haikara Kimono Kan

Yokohama Haikara Kimono Kan

Here, you can dress up in a Hakama and enjoy a stylish kimono experience. Worried about getting sore feet? No need to worry as the modern style of wearing...

Mitomi Dye Shop (Experience dyeing carp flags and mini carp flags)

Mitomi Dye Shop (Experience dyeing carp flags and mini carp flags)

A long standing dye shop established in 1833, where craftsmen of the Edo Bakufu worked. The Tairyo-bata of Misaki is one of the Top 100 Picks of Kanagawa’s...

Anest Iwata Turnpike Hakone

Anest Iwata Turnpike Hakone

Anest Iwata Turnpike Hakone is a sightseeing toll road. Around the end of the Hakone Odawara Line, you can see Mount Fuji and Lake Ashinoko.

Fujisawa Ukiyoe Museum

Fujisawa Ukiyoe Museum

"Fujisawa Ukiyo-e Museum" in Fujisawa City is a facility where you can appreciate local history, such as the Tokaido Fujisawa-juku and Enoshima Ukiyo-e....

TAIKO-LAB Shin Yokohama

TAIKO-LAB Shin Yokohama

The world biggest Japanese drum "Takio" school. You can learn playing the taiko from the very basics. They colaborated aerobic movement with the great...

Traditional Japanese Sweets Shop Miyoshino

Traditional Japanese Sweets Shop Miyoshino

We are a 70 year old Japanese confectionary shop. We strive to select only the best ingredients and produce and sell wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets)...

Kita-kamakura Takaranoniwa

Kita-kamakura Takaranoniwa

We are located about a 10-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura station. In an 80-year-old traditional house surrounded by a large garden and greenery, various...

Yokohama Haikara Kimono Kan

Yokohama Haikara Kimono Kan

Here, you can dress up in a Hakama and enjoy a stylish kimono experience. Worried about getting sore feet? No need to worry as the modern style of wearing...

Mitomi Dye Shop (Experience dyeing carp flags and mini carp flags)

Mitomi Dye Shop (Experience dyeing carp flags and mini carp flags)

A long standing dye shop established in 1833, where craftsmen of the Edo Bakufu worked. The Tairyo-bata of Misaki is one of the Top 100 Picks of Kanagawa’s...

Anest Iwata Turnpike Hakone

Anest Iwata Turnpike Hakone

Anest Iwata Turnpike Hakone is a sightseeing toll road. Around the end of the Hakone Odawara Line, you can see Mount Fuji and Lake Ashinoko.

Fujisawa Ukiyoe Museum

Fujisawa Ukiyoe Museum

"Fujisawa Ukiyo-e Museum" in Fujisawa City is a facility where you can appreciate local history, such as the Tokaido Fujisawa-juku and Enoshima Ukiyo-e....

TAIKO-LAB Shin Yokohama

TAIKO-LAB Shin Yokohama

The world biggest Japanese drum "Takio" school. You can learn playing the taiko from the very basics. They colaborated aerobic movement with the great...

Traditional Japanese Sweets Shop Miyoshino

Traditional Japanese Sweets Shop Miyoshino

We are a 70 year old Japanese confectionary shop. We strive to select only the best ingredients and produce and sell wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets)...

Kita-kamakura Takaranoniwa

Kita-kamakura Takaranoniwa

We are located about a 10-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura station. In an 80-year-old traditional house surrounded by a large garden and greenery, various...

Cultural events

Kanagawa offers a wide range of unique and one-of-a-kind events that are sure to make any trip here extra special at any time of the year.

4 Jul – 6 Jul

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival

The Tanabata Festival is held throughout the city, centering on the Hiratsuka Station North Exit shopping street. It is one of the three major Tanabata...

Atsugi Ayu Matsuri

The Ayu Matsuri Grand Fireworks Display is held on the first night of the festival, and the viewing area and the firework launch site are close together...

17 Dec – 18 Dec

Iizumi Kannon Daruma Fair at Iizumizan Shofuku-ji Temple

On December 17th and 18th, the first daruma fair of the season in the Kanto Region is held at Iizumizan Shōfuku-ji Temple, the 5th amulet issuing temple...

17 Jul – 19 Jul

Daihonzan Sojiji Temple (Mikoto Festival Bon Odori)

The Sojiji Temple is the head temple of the Soto school (of Zen Buddhism). Every summer, the Mitama Matsuri Bon Odori Festival is held. It is now established...

Oiso no Sagicho

This is a fire festival held during Little New Year (around January 14) that has continued since the Edo period. In summer, nine sites are set up on the...

Kamimizo Summer Festival

The Kamimizo Summer Festival has been held in Sagamihara since the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). The festival is said to be dedicated to Emperor...

Yokohama Triennale (Triennial International Exhibition of Contemporary Art)

Important note: The last event was held in 2024, so the next one will not occur until 2027 Held once every three years, this is Japan's leading international...

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival

The Tanabata Festival is held throughout the city, centering on the Hiratsuka Station North Exit shopping street. It is one of the three major Tanabata...

Atsugi Ayu Matsuri

Atsugi Ayu Matsuri

The Ayu Matsuri Grand Fireworks Display is held on the first night of the festival, and the viewing area and the firework launch site are close together...

Iizumi Kannon Daruma Fair at Iizumizan Shofuku-ji Temple

Iizumi Kannon Daruma Fair at Iizumizan Shofuku-ji Temple

On December 17th and 18th, the first daruma fair of the season in the Kanto Region is held at Iizumizan Shōfuku-ji Temple, the 5th amulet issuing temple...

Daihonzan Sojiji Temple (Mikoto Festival Bon Odori)

Daihonzan Sojiji Temple (Mikoto Festival Bon Odori)

The Sojiji Temple is the head temple of the Soto school (of Zen Buddhism). Every summer, the Mitama Matsuri Bon Odori Festival is held. It is now established...

Oiso no Sagicho

Oiso no Sagicho

This is a fire festival held during Little New Year (around January 14) that has continued since the Edo period. In summer, nine sites are set up on the...

Kamimizo Summer Festival

Kamimizo Summer Festival

The Kamimizo Summer Festival has been held in Sagamihara since the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). The festival is said to be dedicated to Emperor...

Yokohama Triennale (Triennial International Exhibition of Contemporary Art)

Yokohama Triennale (Triennial International Exhibition of Contemporary Art)

Important note: The last event was held in 2024, so the next one will not occur until 2027 Held once every three years, this is Japan's leading international...

Explore by interest

Cultural Trips

Discover Kanagawa Prefecture’s hidden gems and cultural marvels through a curated collection of articles by talented local writers.

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Things to do in Kanagawa