20 Parks in Kanagawa worth your time

Kawasaki's largest urban park featuring diverse museums, historical ruins, and extensive rose gardens within a natural forest setting.

What it is

• The largest urban park in Kawasaki City located across Tama and Miyamae Wards.
• A public space containing the historical ruins of Masugata Castle.
• A cultural hub housing multiple museums dedicated to art, science, and folk history.
• Entry to the park grounds is free for all visitors.

What to see

• The Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum featuring traditional architecture from across the country.
• The Taro Okamoto Museum of Art and the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum.
• A preserved D51 steam locomotive displayed on the park grounds.
• The Kawasaki Municipal Science Museum which includes a planetarium.
• A rose garden containing approximately 4,700 individual rose bushes.
• A golf course designed by the renowned architect Seiichi Inoue.

Getting there

• A 13-minute walk from Mukogaoka-yuen Station to reach the park entrance.

Official site

www.ikutaryokuti.jp

Read more about Ikuta Ryokuchi Park

Japan's first wetland botanical garden features seasonal flora and conservation exhibits across a scenic landscape in Hakone.

What it is

• This is the first wetland botanical garden established in Japan.
• The facility opened in 1976 to promote wetland conservation.
• Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun visited the garden in 1979.

What to see

• The grounds feature seasonal plants including skunk cabbage and lilies.
• Exhibition rooms provide information on wetland environments and conservation.
• A shop and a cafe are available for visitors on the premises.
• Signs on the grounds indicate that only photos may be taken.

When to go

• The garden is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
• It is closed for the winter season from December 1 to March 19.

Getting there

• Buses from Hakone-Yumoto Station reach the garden in 40 minutes.
• Direct highway buses operate from Shinjuku and Tokyo Station.

Official site

hakone-shisseikaen.com

Read more about Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands

A free hilltop park in Kawasaki featuring small animals, ancient burial mounds, and scenic cherry blossoms for a relaxed afternoon.

What it is

• A municipal zoological park situated near the summit of Mount Kase
• The site name originates from a local legend involving Ota Dokan
• Managed by the Kawasaki City Construction and Greenery Policy Bureau
• Admission to the facility is free for all visitors

What to see

• Small animal exhibits featuring red pandas and lemurs
• The Kasedai Burial Mound Group located within the park grounds
• A memorial tower for the war dead on the east side
• Extensive cherry blossom trees that bloom across the hilltop

When to go

• Open daily from 9:00 to 16:00
• Visit during spring for the popular cherry blossom viewing season

Getting there

• A 15-minute walk from Shin-Kawasaki Station

Official site

www.yumemizoo.com

Read more about Yumemigasaki Zoological Park

A long, narrow park built over reclaimed canals, featuring art and a peace monument.

What it is

• A park opened on September 9, 1978.
• Built on reclaimed Yoshida and Shin-Yoshida River canals.
• A core facility of the 'Green Axis Concept'.

What to see

• Four sections: Stone Plaza, Water Plaza, Sunken Garden, Green Forest.
• Peace monument for the Yokohama Great Air Raid, erected in 1992.
• Monument lists names of approximately one thousand victims.
• Sculptures by Rodin, Moore, and Zadkine are in the park.
• Bridge nameplates from former canals are preserved.

Getting there

• Extends from JR Kannai Station to Bandobashi Station.
• Yokohama Municipal Subway Line 1 runs underground beneath the park.
• Bridge nameplates preserved at Isezakichojamachi Station.

Read more about Odori Park (Yokohama)

Explore a reconstructed castle, historic gates, and seasonal gardens at this scenic park.

What it is

• A city park in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Centers on a reconstructed castle tower.
• Most of the park is a nationally designated historic site.

What to see

• Reconstructed castle tower, rebuilt in 1960.
• Restored Tokiwagimon, Doumon, and Umadashimon gates.
• Odawara Castle Historical Museum.
• Odawara City Local Culture Museum.
• Seasonal plum, cherry, and wisteria plants.

When to go

• One of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.
• Various festivals are hosted throughout the year.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Odawara Station.

Official site

odawaracastle.com

Read more about Odawara Castle Park

Yamakita Tsukurano Park offers panoramic views, historical ruins, and family-friendly activities.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park in Kanagawa Prefecture.
• A wide-area park for recreation and nature.
• Features multiple observation plazas.

What to see

• Sakura-yama observation plaza offers scenic views.
• Tsutsuji-yama observation plaza is on Kanegatsuka Fort ruins.
• A long roller slide for children.
• Athletic play equipment for all ages.
• A nature trail for walking and exploration.

Getting there

• About 60 minutes walk from Yaga Station on JR Gotemba Line.
• About 20 minutes by car from Oi-Matsuda Interchange.
• Parking is available at the park.

Read more about Yamakita Tsuburano Park

Fuchinobe Park offers sports facilities and a museum, easily accessible by bus.

What it is

• An urban park in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Site of a former US military base, Camp Fuchinobe.

What to see

• Sagamihara Baseball Stadium, a municipal baseball venue.
• Hibari Baseball Stadium for youth baseball and softball.
• Ginga Arena, an indoor swimming facility.
• Twelve tennis courts, expanded in April 2014.
• Sagamihara City Museum is located nearby.

When to go

• Winter, when Ginga Arena becomes a skating rink.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Fuchinobe Station.
• Take a bus from Sagamihara Station.

Read more about Fuchinobe Park

Urban park preserving a historic battleship, with monuments and musical fountains.

What it is

• Urban park in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Faces Yokosuka New Port.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.

What to see

• Battleship Mikasa, preserved and open to the public.
• Musical fountains with shows.
• 18-meter high monument.
• Bronze statue of Admiral Togo Heihachiro.
• Monument for the march "Gunkan Koshinkyoku" (1996).
• Monument registered as World Mobile Heritage (2022).

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Yokosuka-Chuo Station.
• Ferries to Sarushima depart from Mikasa Pier.

Official site

www.kanagawaparks.com

Read more about Mikasa Park

Mitsuike Park is a Yokohama park with three ponds, known for cherry blossoms and bird watching.

What it is

• A general park in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Designated a prefectural park in 1954.
• Ponds were dredged in 1787 for agricultural water.
• Fully renovated in 2005.

What to see

• Three ponds: Upper, Middle, and Lower.
• Over 1000 cherry trees of 35 varieties.
• A monument with a waka poem from 1843.
• The Mitsuike Kofun, a circular burial mound.
• A Korea Garden built in 1990.

When to go

• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots.
• One of Kanagawa's Top 50 Bird Watching Spots.

Official site

www.kanagawaparks.com

Read more about Mitsuike Park

Shonan Beach Park offers coastal views of Mount Fuji and nearby islands, with an aquarium and surf village.

What it is

• A prefectural park in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Located on the coast facing Sagami Bay.
• Managed by Shonan Nagisa Park Inc.

What to see

• Views of Enoshima, Mount Fuji, Tanzawa, Hakone, and Izu Peninsula mountains.
• Enoshima Aquarium and Surf Village.
• A monument to Chinese composer Nie Er.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Kugenuma Kaigan Station (Odakyu Enoshima Line).
• 5-minute walk from Katase Enoshima Station.
• 10-minute walk from Shonan Kaigan Koen Station (Enoshima Electric Railway).

Official site

www.s-n-p.jp

Read more about Shonan Beach Park

Iriyamaizu Park offers diverse sports facilities and a children's park in Yokosuka City.

What it is

• An urban park in Yokosuka City.
• A municipal athletic park.
• Formerly a training ground for the Yokosuka Heavy Artillery Regiment.

What to see

• Yokosuka City General Gymnasium with main and sub-arenas.
• Sub-arena includes a heated pool.
• Outdoor track and field stadium.
• Two softball baseball fields.
• Eight tennis courts.
• Archery range and a children's park.

Getting there

• Take Keikyu Bus from Yokosuka-chuo Station.
• Take Keikyu Bus from Shioiri Station.
• Take Keikyu Bus from Kinugasa Station.

Read more about Iriyamazu Park

Doho River Park preserves nature, offering a peaceful escape to observe diverse wildlife.

What it is

• A scenic park in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Preserves the Doho River headwaters and Yokoyama Hills nature.

What to see

• Approximately 40 types of wild birds, including warblers and kingfishers.
• Native wild plants like sedge, watercress, and iris.
• Trees including bamboo, oak, cedar, and camphor.
• Insects like cicadas, stag beetles, and scarabs.
• Aquatic plants like cattail and water lilies.
• Aquatic animals including loaches, crabs, and frogs.

When to go

• Open all year round.

Official site

www.kanagawaparks.com

Read more about Dōho River Park

Kandaiji Chuo Park offers a unique log house and playground, perfect for families with elementary school children.

What it is

• A public park in Yokohama City.
• Features a children's log house called Kodomo Log House Tom Sawyer.
• The log house is operated by NPO Collabo Net Kanagawa.
• Designed for elementary school children.

What to see

• Kodomo Log House Tom Sawyer with a reading and clay corner.
• Second floor of the log house has an athletic area and slide.
• An underground labyrinth within the log house.
• Multi-play equipment including monkey bars and a suspension bridge.
• A baseball field.
• A fountain with sprinkler-like pillars.

Read more about Kandaiji Chūō Park

A large city sports park with diverse facilities for recreation and events.

What it is

• A sports park owned by Minamiashigara City.
• Managed by Ashigara Green Service.
• Baseball field opened in July 1997.
• Park fully opened in April 1999.

What to see

• Baseball field with 3,000-person capacity.
• Baseball field has LED scoreboard and broadcasting equipment.
• Multi-purpose field is 105m by 68m.
• Eight artificial turf tennis courts.
• Trim area and picnic area.
• Flower viewing area and gateball field.

When to go

• Used for the Minamiashigara City Junior Sports Tournament.

Read more about Minamiashigara City Athletic Park

Historic Yokohama park commemorating a treaty, with unique artifacts and bay views.

What it is

• Urban park in Yokohama, also called Kaiko Kinen Hiroba.
• Site of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Amity.
• Opened in 1982, received a city Townscape Award in 1985.

What to see

• Stone monument marks the treaty signing site.
• Brick manhole and sewer remains from 1882 are visible.
• These remains are a national tangible cultural property.
• Cannon from a Swiss trading company is displayed.
• Clock tower models a pole from 1891.

Getting there

• Located at the base of Osanbashi Pier.

Read more about Kaiko Hiroba Park

A large botanical garden in Kamakura, known for its diverse ornamental plants and seasonal flowers.

What it is

• A botanical garden in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Opened in 1967 on a former agricultural experiment station.
• Exhibits ornamental plants from Japan and other countries.
• Total area of 63,900 square meters.

What to see

• Many varieties of Tamana Cherry.
• Extensive collections of peonies.
• Beautiful displays of Japanese irises.
• One of Kanagawa's 100 Famous Flower Spots.

Getting there

• 16-minute walk from Ofuna Station West Exit.
• 1-minute walk from the Okamoto bus stop.

Address

〒247-0072　神奈川県鎌倉市岡本1018 Map

Official site

www.fcofuna-kanagawa.jp

Read more about Kanagawa Prefectural Ofuna Botanical Garden

Yamashitachō Park is a small urban park in Yokohama Chinatown, notable for its cultural events.

What it is

• An urban park in Yokohama, Japan.
• Located in the central part of Yokohama Chinatown.
• Opened as a children's park in 1960.
• Used as an event venue for Chinese New Year.

What to see

• Guardian lion statues at the entrance.
• A gazebo called Kaihōtei.
• A sandpit and playground equipment.
• A large zelkova tree, a symbol of Chinatown.
• Meiji-era tiles unearthed during renovation.

When to go

• Chinese New Year for parade start and goal.
• Winter events for the lit-up zelkova tree.

Read more about Yamashitachō Park

Shin-Yokohama Park is a large sports complex with a stadium and various facilities.

What it is

• An urban park in Yokohama City's Kohoku Ward.
• Largest sports park in Yokohama City.
• Functions as a flood control reservoir for the Tsurumi River.

What to see

• Yokohama International General Stadium, seating 72,000 people.
• Nissan Field Kozukue auxiliary stadium.
• Nissan Water Park, a heated leisure pool.
• Shin-Yoko Football Park with a natural grass field.
• Baseball field with 105-meter wings.
• 10 tennis courts.

When to go

• Sumo wrestling ring completed in February 2025.

Official site

www.nissan-stadium.jp

Read more about Shin-Yokohama Park

A historic park dedicated to war dead, offering cherry blossoms and panoramic views.

What it is

• A municipal park in Yokosuka City.
• Established in 1907.
• Dedicated to the war dead of the Russo-Japanese War.
• Adjacent to original Kinugasayama Castle ruins.

What to see

• Many cherry trees and bush clovers.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.
• Views of Yokosuka and Yokohama city areas.
• Views of Tokyo Bay and the Boso Peninsula.
• A trailhead for Mount Ohkusu.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Kinugasa Station.
• 10-minute walk from Kinugasayama Park bus stop.

Read more about Kinugasayama Park

Osaki Park offers panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Sagami Bay from a scenic cape.

What it is

• A municipal urban park in Zushi City.
• Located on a ridge of a cape.
• One of the "Kanto Fuji View 100 Landscapes."
• Also one of the "50 Parks of Kanagawa."

What to see

• Panoramic views of Enoshima.
• Views of Mount Fuji and Sagami Bay.
• A gazebo for relaxation.
• Benches for resting.

When to go

• Restrooms available from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Hiroyama Iriguchi bus stop.
• 10-minute walk from Hiroyama Park parking lot.

Read more about Osaki Park