Greater Tokyo

See & Do

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Tezutsu Hanabi(Hand-held fireworks)

Tezutsu Hanabi(Hand-held fireworks)

The "Mashiko Gion Festival" held at Kashima-jinja Shrine every July 23, 24, and 25. Kicking off the first night of the festival, an impressive rain of sparks falls from tezutsu fireworks shot up to 8 meters into the night sky from a combination of large and small cylindrical tubes. The handheld fireworks(Tezutsu Hanabi) are said to have originated in Toyohashi city. Tokugawa Ieyasu, who became the first Shogun of the Edo Period, brought that technology to his home in Mikawa province (current Aichi Prefecture). At the time gunpowder was strictly forbidden throughout Japan, but the villagers of this region were allowed to use Tezutsu Hanabi as a part of Shinto rituals offering to the gods in exchange for rich harvests, good health, family fortune and prosperity, and good luck in battle.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Nihon Odori

Nihon Odori

Nihon Odori is the first western style street in Japan. It was completed in 1870 and designed by R.H. Blanton. The stately historic buildings such as Kanagawa Prefectural Government, the Yokohama Archives of History, Yokohama District Court, Mitsui & Co.,Ltd. Yokohama building and the old Kanto Local Finance Bureau etc. line the Nihon Odori. In autumn, open cafes along the road are a popular resting spot with a view of beautifully colored ginkgo.Known for its gorgeous ginko trees, the street is most beautiful in autumn when the leaves are golden and the air is crystal clear.

Nature & Views Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Ashikaga Flower Park

Ashikaga Flower Park

This flower garden creates a full sense of the season and magnificence of nature with a wide range of plants and trees. The highlight of the park is the massive Japanese wisteria trellises in bloom from late April to mid-May. You will be totally stunned by four large wisteria vines and 80-metre tunnel of white wisterias,designated as a prefectural natural treasure.   In the evening the illuminated wisterias bring dream-like scenes. The park also draws large crowds during the fall and winter months, when the "Bejeweled Flower Garden" is held. It is one of the Kanto area’s top three annual illumination events. The garden welcomes over a million tourists throughout the year.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Tsurumaki Onsen (Hot Spring) Motoyu Jinya

Tsurumaki Onsen (Hot Spring) Motoyu Jinya

JINYA is a traditional Japanese style ryokan that owns a 10,000 Tsubo (1 Tsubo = 3.3 m2) garden and stands there with its back against Tanzawa Mountains. The ryokan has traditions and 100 years of rich history. Rich dishes of the season and hot spring that well up from deep under the ground of Tanzawa Mountains will be provided to its guests.If you feel like moving your body after unwinding in the hot springs, be sure to check out nearby One Park. The park is about a 15 minute walk from the ryokan and features a heated pool, tennis court, sports plaza, and skating ground. After you have had your fill of physical activity, head back to Jinya and resume your relaxation!

Onsen & Stay Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Daihonzan Engaku-ji Temple

Daihonzan Engaku-ji Temple

This ancient temple has many old buildings, including the temple bell and the Shari-den Hall, which are both national treasures. Here you can take a quiet breath in the cool morning air and adjust yourself physically and mentally, and start your day with a refreshed feeling. Monks will guide you through the Shari-den Hall, the only national treasure building in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is not normally open to the public. In addition, at Nyoian, you can enjoy a special sutra reading for guests, participate in Zen meditation, and chat with a Buddhist monk while enjoying matcha green tea and Japanese sweets.Built in 1783, visitors must first pass through this majestic structure to enter the Engaku-ji Temple.The temple's main hall houses a wooden statue of the Shaka Buddha. Painted on the ceiling of the building is a beautiful White Dragon.Just a one-minute walk from Kita-kamakura Station. Visit in late autumn when the leaves are at their most beautiful, and the teahouse is serving delicious hot sweet sake.Breathe in the cool air of the morning to prepare yourself physically and mentally, and start your day feeling refreshed.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Togakuin Temple (Azalea Temple)

Togakuin Temple (Azalea Temple)

Shiboku-san Togakuin Temple is a temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, and there are few records of its history. Passing through the Niomon Gate, visitors will enter a manicured azalea garden and continue along the approach to the main hall, which was rebuilt during the Ansei Era. Various events such as Zen meditation sessions, sutra reading sessions, and numerous other workshops are held here. The events are also posted on YouTube and other social networking sites.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Okada Museum of Art

Okada Museum of Art

The museum was built on the former site (about 6,300㎡) of the Kaikatei Hotel, a hotel for Westerners of the Meiji period. The total floor space of the 5 story building is about 7,700㎡ and the exhibition area is about 5,000㎡. Ancient and modern art, centered around Japan, China, and Korea, that were collected by Kazuo Okada, honorary director, are on exhibition at the large venue.This 12m-high by 30m-wide mural adorns the museum facade. “Wind/Time” by Fukui Kotaro shows two guardian deities of Hakone soaring through the air in this decorative masterpiece reminiscent of the Rimpa school.Opposite the "Wind/Time" mural, sip while you dip in 100% natural hot spring water at this relaxing footbath cafe.After arriving at the museum, please try the footbath and enjoy a private tour of the back room of Kaikatei, where an overview of the museum and highlights of the special exhibition will be given. After the museum closes, experience a private gallery talk by the curator, followed by free time to view the exhibition on your own.Luxury in Kanagawa

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA