Greater Tokyo

See & Do

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Jewels of Shonan

Jewels of Shonan

This is a light-up illumination event held from the last weekend of November to the end of February of the new year at Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden and other locations on Enoshima Island. It is one of the three major illumination events in the Kanto region, and has been recognized as a heritage site of illuminated night scenery.All of Enoshima is the stage. The creative production places highly in many rankings of decorative lighting displays.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Yokohama Archives of History

Yokohama Archives of History

Displays materials on Yokohama history from the end of the Edo period/Opening up of the port period to the beginning of the Showa period. The building was formerly used as the British consulate until 1972. There is a historical camphor tree in the courtyard. *Includes a cafe.Learn the fascinating history of how a small fishing village became the second largest city in Japan. It starts with the landing of Commodore Perry and his black ships.

Culture & Arts Koshu kaido Tokaido KANAGAWA
Shonandai Cultural Center Children’s Museum

Shonandai Cultural Center Children’s Museum

The Shonandai Cultural Center is a large facility with unique buildings such as a large globe, a civic theater and children's hall, and a community center. The children's museum has an exhibition hall where children can learn hands-on while having fun playing with toys from around the world and ethnic musical instruments. We also offer a planetarium with live commentary, a “space theater” with realistic full-dome movies, and a workshop room where many workshops are held.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Odawara Hojo Godai Festival

Odawara Hojo Godai Festival

This is Odawara City's largest festival to honor the Hojo clan, a set of feudal lords who reigned over the Kanto region for five generations for about 100 years during the Warring States Period, a time of fierce rivalry between the warriors, and who created a nation with the ideal of the well-being of its people. A total of 1,700 people parade in the city in a heroic procession of warriors, mainly modeled after the five successive lords of the Hojo clan, with the participation of local brass bands, the Ground Self-Defense Force, and other musical groups, as well as portable shrines and other town groups. In addition, there will be a firing performance by the Hojo Tepposhu and a performance by the Fuuma Ninjas in the streets.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Yokohama Noh Theater

Yokohama Noh Theater

The Somei Noh Stage, the oldest Noh stage in the Kanto region, was built in 1873 by the Maeda family, the former lord of the Kaga Domain, and opened in 1996. Various events are held with explanations to help beginners understand and unique planned performances and workshops, earning the stage the slogan “a Noh theater with a low threshold.” Once a month, we hold tours (advance reservation required) where the staff guides visitors through exhibits related to the history of the Nohgaku and the Noh stage, as well as private dressing rooms not normally accessible to the public. ※ Closed from January 2024 to June 2026 due to renovation work.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Homma Yoseki Museum

Homma Yoseki Museum

Homma Yoseki Museum is an art gallery that exhibits a collection of Yosegi Zaiku wooden mosaic work, a traditional craft from Hakone that has been continued since the Edo period. Visiting will help you to understand the beauty of this historical art. It holds around 500 pieces, of which at least 200 are always on display. The exhibits change with the seasons, with the Yosegi Gakujin-Bina dolls that are on display in spring being especially worth seeing.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Kamakura Nohbutai

Kamakura Nohbutai

It was established in 1970 near the Great Buddha in Kamakura, an ancient city in Kanagawa Prefecture, aiming to promote and popularize traditional Japanese "Noh" theater (UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage). The stage can also be rented in addition to the regular performances called "Noh wo Shirukai®.” It features a Noh theater museum with the stage, Noh masks, and costumes exhibited. A Japanese-style cafe was also opened in 2022.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Odawara City Tourism Exchange Center

Odawara City Tourism Exchange Center

A base facility that distributes information on Odawara tourism and provides content for visitors to experience the traditional culture of the region. This facility also features various hands-on workshops, a café, museum store, bicycle rentals, and rental space. The building itself is made of Odawara cypress and Japanese cedar.Visitors can experience Odawara's traditions and culture through the “Odawara Chochin,” “Yosegi-zaiku,” “Kaisendon,” and a variety of other content that both adults and children will enjoy through same-day reception (no reservations required).

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Yudate Lion Dance Miyagino

Yudate Lion Dance Miyagino

The tradition of Yudate-kagura has been passed on since 1776. Spiritual rituals with the use of boiling water are performed throughout the country, but it is rare to see the performance done by the Shishi, a lion dog deity, as can be seen at this traditional event. Praying for health, safety, and prosperity the Shishi stirs the boiling water with a Kumazasa branch, and flick water from the branch to purify the participating spectators. This traditional event is selected as a National Traditional and Cultural Heritage event, as well as being registered as a Kanagawa prefecture important cultural heritage event.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Mandarado Yagura Caves

Mandarado Yagura Caves

Yagura are square, horizontal caves dug into rock cliffs where tombstones housing bones of the deceased were erected for memorial services. They are unique structures built primarily in Kamakura and its surrounding areas from the late Kamakura period (1185-1333) to the early Muromachi period (1336-1573). The Mandarado Yagura Caves can be found on the historic Nagao Kishidori Pass, and boasts of one of the largest known clusters, comprising over 150 confirmed caves. Few other locations within Kamakura City offer such a concentrated view of well-preserved yagura. Enjoy the unique, spectacular view of the rows of caves spanning multiple layers.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Ehrismann Residence

Ehrismann Residence

This was the private residence of silk trader Mr. Ellisman and was built in 1926 at 127 Yamate-cho and designed by A. Raymond, the "Father of Modern Japanese Architecture" who profoundly influenced Japan's architectural world. While possessing elements of a foreign-style mansion, it also shows the influence of Raymond's mentor, F. L. Wright, such as an emphasis on the horizontal lines of the eaves. It was relocated and restored to its current location in Motomachi Park in 1990. The first floor features a reception room with a fireplace, a combined living and dining room, and a sunroom overlooking the garden furnished with pieces designed by Raymond, while the second floor houses an exhibition on Western-style houses in Yamate. The basement is available for rental as a free-use space and includes a tea room utilizing the former kitchen area.One of eight restored Western Houses in the Yokohama, Yamate area, this is most beautiful in autumn and during the Christmas season. Take a break in its lovely little cafe.

Culture & Arts Koshu kaido Tokaido KANAGAWA