20 Museums in Kanagawa worth your time

A free museum displaying a recovered North Korean spy ship and its weaponry within Yokohama's Minato Mirai district.

What it is

• A maritime facility serving as a base for the Japan Coast Guard.
• A disaster response hub for maritime emergencies in the Yokohama area.
• An exhibition hall also known as the Spy Ship Exhibition Hall.
• A free museum dedicated to maritime security and incident history.

What to see

• A North Korean spy ship recovered from the sea after a maritime incident.
• Weapons and equipment recovered from the spy ship during the investigation.
• Various items and artifacts found on board the intercepted vessel.

When to go

• Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM for visitors.
• Closed on Mondays and during the New Year holiday period.

Getting there

• An eight-minute walk from Bashamichi Station or Nihon-odori Station.
• A two-minute walk from the Akarenga Soko bus stop.

Official site

www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp

Read more about Japan Coast Guard Museum Yokohama

This museum showcases Kamakura's history and culture, housed in Japan's first public modern art museum building.

What it is

• Museum focusing on Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine and Kamakura history.
• Housed in a building designed by Sakakura Junzo.
• Originally Japan's first public modern art museum, opened 1951.
• Reopened in 2019 after renovation, now an Important Cultural Property.

What to see

• Square building designed by Sakakura Junzo.
• Central courtyard letting in natural light.
• L-shaped exhibition hall on the second floor.
• Covered first-floor terrace opening onto the pond.
• Museum gift shop with shrine and Kamakura items.
• Cafe with a section of the Great Ginkgo tree trunk.

Getting there

• Located next to the Heike Pond.
• On the western side of the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu grounds.

Address

〒248-0005　神奈川県鎌倉市雪ノ下2-1-53 Map

Official site

tsurugaokamuseum.jp

Read more about Tsurugaoka Museum, Kamakura

Explore Japan's first prefectural waterworks history in a unique former pump station.

What it is

• Science museum in Samukawa-machi, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Utilizes the former pump station of Samukawa Water Purification Plant.
• Established in 1984, commemorating 50 years of prefectural waterworks.
• Plant achieved Japan's first prefectural wide-area water supply.

What to see

• Former pump station, completed in 1936.
• Building selected as one of the "100 Modern Waterworks."
• Designated as a "Selected Civil Engineering Heritage."
• Library with materials on water and the environment.
• Outdoor "Water Plaza" features a stream and trees.

Getting there

• From Miyayama Station on the JR Sagami Line.
• From Samukawa Station on the JR Sagami Line.

Official site

kappy.jp

Read more about Kanagawa Waterworks Memorial Hall

Explore historic Romancecar trains and simulators at this engaging railway museum.

What it is

• A railway museum dedicated to Odakyu Romancecar trains.
• Opened on April 19, 2021.
• Became a registered museum on June 21, 2024.

What to see

• Past Romancecar trains are on display.
• Experience a driving simulator.
• View a diorama of the Odakyu Odawara Line.
• The first floor has a History Theater and Romancecar Gallery.
• The second floor features a Diorama Park and Kids Romancecar Park.
• A rooftop observation deck offers views of Ebina Station.

When to go

• The 50000 series (VSE car) will be exhibited in March 2026.

Getting there

• Next to Odakyu Line Ebina Station.
• A short walk from Ebina Station.

Read more about Romancecar Museum

A public museum in Kawasaki featuring exhibits on the Kawasaki Air Raid and modern peace issues.

What it is

• A public facility featuring exhibits about peace located in Nakahara Peace Park
• Founded in 1992 with permanent exhibits updated in 2014 and 2024
• A museum dedicated to educating visitors about Japan and war

What to see

• Displays providing detailed information on the Kawasaki Air Raid
• A physical reproduction of an air raid shelter used during the war
• A section dedicated to the story of Megumi Yokota
• A library and a DVD corner for further research and viewing

Getting there

• A ten minute walk from Musashi-Kosugi Station
• A ten minute walk from Motosumiyoshi Station

Official site

www.city.kawasaki.jp

Read more about Kawasaki Peace Museum

Explore a historic villa showcasing local literary figures and unique architecture.

What it is

• Public facility established in 1994.
• Utilizes former villa of Tanaka Mitsuaki.
• Dedicated to Odawara City's literary heritage.

What to see

• Main building: 1937 Spanish tile-roofed Western-style.
• Annex: 1924 wooden two-story Japanese-style.
• Both are registered tangible cultural properties.
• Exhibits by Kitamura Tokoku and Kazuo Ozaki.
• Annex houses Hakushu Children's Song Museum.
• Study from Kazuo Ozaki's residence.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during year-end and New Year holidays.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Odawara Station.

Official site

www.city.odawara.kanagawa.jp

Read more about Odawara Literature Museum

Explore space and science at this museum, home to a Guinness World Record planetarium.

What it is

• A science museum also known as Hamagin Kids Space Science Museum.
• Opened on May 5, 1984.
• Dedicated to science education and space exploration.

What to see

• Building exterior designed to resemble a spaceship.
• Five exhibition rooms with different themes.
• 23-meter diameter planetarium dome.
• Planetarium projector certified by Guinness World Records in 2023.
• Projector can project at least 700 million stars.

When to go

• Closed on the first and third Tuesdays.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Yōkōdai Station on the JR Negishi Line.

Official site

www.yokohama-kagakukan.jp

Read more about Yokohama Science Center

Explore Kamakura's rich history and art at this museum, home to national treasures.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Kamakura City.
• Established on April 3, 1928.
• Stores and exhibits cultural properties from Kamakura City.
• Houses many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

What to see

• Main building is a National Tangible Cultural Property.
• Stained glass by Ogawa Sanchi in the main building.
• Monument with a poem by Minamoto no Sanetomo.
• Approximately 1000 items and 4800 pieces.
• The Ujiie Ukiyo-e Collection.

Getting there

• 12-minute walk from Kamakura Station.
• Located on the east side of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine grounds.

Address

〒248-0005 神奈川県鎌倉市雪ノ下２丁目１−１　鶴岡八幡宮内 Map

Official site

www.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp

Read more about Kamakura Museum of National Treasures

Explore diverse EurAsian cultures through artifacts in a historic Yokohama building.

What it is

• A museum of EurAsian cultures, opened in March 2003.
• Houses archaeological, historical, art, and ethnographic materials.
• Stores approximately 25,000 literary documents.
• Located in a building that was once the Yokohama City Toll Telephone Office.

What to see

• About 2,500 artifacts from EurAsian cultures.
• The building, designed by Kōkichi Nakayama in 1929.
• The building, certified as a Yokohama City Historic Building.

Getting there

• Immediately accessible from Nihon-ōdōri Station, Exit 3.
• A 10-minute walk from Kannai Station.

Address

神奈川県横浜市中区日本大通12 Map

Official site

www.eurasia.city.yokohama.jp

Read more about Yokohama Museum of EurAsian Cultures

Explore Yamato's local history, from ancient times to the present, in a charming farmhouse-style museum.

What it is

• A museum focused on the history of former Shimotsuruma Village.
• Covers local history from 70,000 years ago to the present.
• Admission is free.

What to see

• Exhibits on medieval Fukami Castle.
• Exhibits on Shimotsuruma-juku from the early modern period.
• Museum building modeled after a late Edo to early Meiji farmhouse.
• Storage facility resembles a farmhouse storehouse.

When to go

• Open from 9:00 to 17:00.
• Closed on Mondays.

Getting there

• Nearest station is Tsukimino on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line.

Official site

www.city.yamato.lg.jp

Read more about Yamato City Historical Folkmuseum

Explore a historic Western-style villa, now a museum dedicated to Kamakura's literary heritage.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to literature in Kamakura.
• Opened in November 1985.
• Former villa of the Marquis Maeda family.
• One of Kamakura's three great Western-style buildings.

What to see

• The current building, rebuilt in 1936.
• Building designed by Eiji Watanabe.
• A Registered Tangible Cultural Property since 2000.
• Certified as a Japan Heritage component in 2016.

When to go

• Closed for renovation from April 2023.
• Reopening scheduled for April 2029.

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from Yuigahama Station.

Official site

www.kamakurabungaku.com

Read more about Kamakura Museum of Literature

This museum showcases Kazumasa Nakagawa's art in a scenic building overlooking the sea.

What it is

• A public art museum in Manazuru, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Opened in 1989.
• Dedicated to painter and calligrapher Kazumasa Nakagawa.
• Designated one of the 100 Best Public Buildings.

What to see

• 80 to 90 works by Kazumasa Nakagawa.
• Exhibits include oil paintings, ink paintings, calligraphy, ceramics.
• Building design uses local Honkomatsu stone.
• Five exhibition rooms and a tea room.
• Views overlooking the sea of Manazuru Peninsula.

When to go

• Open 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Closed Wednesdays.
• Closed December 28 to January 3.

Official site

nakagawamuseum.jp

Read more about Nakagawa Kazumasa Art Museum

Explore Kanagawa's history and art in a historic bank building.

What it is

• Museum of culture and history in Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Opened in 1967, redeveloped in 1995.
• Housed in the former Yokohama Specie Bank Main Store.

What to see

• Over 6,000 ukiyo-e prints from the Tsuneo Tanba collection.
• Stone and brick building, three stories above ground.
• Building designed by Tsumaki Yorinaka, completed in 1904.
• Building designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1969.
• Site designated a National Historic Site in 1995.

When to go

• Closed for renovation from January 2025 to September 2026.

Address

神奈川県横浜市中区南仲通5-60 Map

Official site

ch.kanagawa-museum.jp

Read more about Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History

Modern history museum in a former consulate, preserving Yokohama's past and offering research materials.

What it is

• A modern history museum.
• Opened in 1981.
• Housed in the former British Consulate building.
• The consulate was built in 1931, used until 1972.

What to see

• The former British Consulate building.
• A reading room with foreign and Japanese newspapers.
• A camphor tree named 'Tamakusu no Ki' in the courtyard.
• The tree is 12 meters tall and over 8 meters wide.
• The tree is a designated historic site of Yokohama City.
• About 250,000 historical materials are stored.

Getting there

• 2-minute walk from Nihon-odori Station.

Address

神奈川県横浜市中区日本大通3 Map

Official site

www.kaikou.city.yokohama.jp

Read more about Yokohama Archives of History

Explore modern Japanese literature at this museum, set in a scenic park.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to modern Japanese literature.
• Opened in 1984.
• Collects, preserves, and exhibits literary materials.
• Located within Yokohama's Harbor View Park.

What to see

• Approximately 1.3 million items of modern literature.
• Over 40 personal literary collections.
• Building designed by Urabe Shintaro.
• Exhibits, lectures, workshops, and reading events.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays, unless Monday is a holiday.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station.

Address

神奈川県横浜市中区山手町110 Map

Official site

www.kanabun.or.jp

Read more about Kanagawa Museum of Modern Literature

A small museum in Kamakura showcasing local history and a historic residence.

What it is

• A private history museum founded on August 1, 2020.
• It is operated by a local development council.
• Exhibits materials related to Tamanawa Castle.

What to see

• First floor displays Tamanawa Castle materials.
• Second floor displays regional folk materials.
• An old private house, Old Ishii Residence, is on the grounds.

When to go

• Open 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Getting there

• Located in the Ryūhō-ji temple grounds.
• Nearest station is JR Ofuna Station.

Official site

tamanawajo.jp

Read more about Tamanawa History Museum

Explore a traditional Japanese residence and teahouse, once home to village headmen.

What it is

• A cultural experience facility in Otsuka-Saishodo Iseki Park.
• Features the former Nagasawa family residence and stable.
• The Nagasawa family served as village headmen.
• Residence is a Yokohama City designated tangible cultural property.

What to see

• The main house of the Nagasawa family residence.
• The stable of the Nagasawa family residence.
• Rintei Tsuruun-an, a teahouse built in 2010.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on the second and fourth Mondays.

Official site

tminkaen.org

Read more about Tsuzuki Minka-en

Explore Ikego's history from Jomon to modern times, celebrating Japan-US friendship.

What it is

• A historical museum in Zushi City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the Ikego archaeological site.
• Established for Japan-US friendship and goodwill.
• Opened in September 1999.

What to see

• Exhibits of artifacts from Jomon to modern periods.
• A Yayoi period wooden product, a prefectural cultural property.
• A three-story reinforced concrete museum building.
• A former Japanese Navy tunnel used for storage.

Getting there

• Located within Ikego-no-Mori Nature Park.

Official site

www.city.zushi.kanagawa.jp

Read more about Ikego Artifacts Museum

This art museum, reopened after renovation, displays modern and contemporary art in Yokohama.

What it is

• A major art museum in Yokohama.
• Opened in 1989 for the Yokohama Exposition.
• Designed by Kenzo Tange Urban Construction Design Office.
• Reopened March 15, 2024, after renovations.

What to see

• Works by artists like Cézanne and Magritte.
• A dedicated photography department.
• Three main floors, some parts with eight floors.
• A museum shop and a restaurant.

When to go

• Fully reopens on February 8, 2025.
• Main venue for the Yokohama Triennale since 2011.

Official site

yokohama.art.museum

Read more about Yokohama Museum of Art

Yamakita Railway Park preserves a reactivated steam locomotive, offering a unique glimpse into Japan's railway history.

What it is

• An urban park in Yamakita Town, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Opened on July 21, 1970.
• Preserves the D52 steam locomotive.

What to see

• The D52 Unit 70 steam locomotive.
• The Gotemba Line running next to the park.
• Yamakita cherry blossom trees nearby.

When to go

• October 14 for the D52's revival run anniversary.
• Cherry blossom season for famous viewing.

Getting there

• Located at the Numazu end of Gotemba Line Yamakita Station.

Read more about Yamakita Railway Park