Kanagawa Prefecture is an area with diverse attractions, including coastlines, mountains, and historic towns. This article proposes the following two road trip courses:
- Miura Peninsula Course – a route to enjoy coastal scenery and fresh seafood
- Odawara/Hakone Course – a route in mountainous areas to enjoy history and spectacular scenery
Each course introduces driving attractions, places to visit, and points to note.
Miura Peninsula Road Trip
- 1Jogashima Park
- 2Misaki Port
- 3Hayama Marina
- 4Shonan Coastal
The Miura Peninsula is a great driving spot easily accessible from Tokyo, where you can enjoy beautiful scenery and fresh seafood along the coastline. From Jogashima Park to Shonan Beach, spend a refreshing day touring the diverse tourist attractions.
Jogashima Park
The park offers a spectacular view of Sagami Bay, especially at sunset. There is also a hiking course, perfect for nature walks.
- Address: Jogashima, Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Parking: Paid parking available
- Recommended time of year: Fresh greenery in spring, sea breeze in summer
Misaki Port
A market where you can enjoy fresh tuna and a variety of restaurants. Enjoy local seafood.
- Address: Misaki, Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Parking: Free parking available
- Fare: Free admission
Hayama Marina
Luxury seaside resort. You can spend a relaxing time at the café and restaurant.
- Address: Hayama-cho, Miura-gun, Kanagawa-ken
- Parking: Paid parking available
- Recommended season: All year round
Shonan Coastal Drive
An exhilarating route along the coast. You can also stop at Enoshima Island and Kamakura on the way.
- Caution: Be sure to allow plenty of time for traffic on weekends and in summer!
Odawara and Hakone Road Trip
- 1Odawara Castle
- 2Hakone Shrine
- 3Lake Ashi
- 4Owakudani
The Odawara and Hakone area is an ideal destination for history buffs and hot spring enthusiasts. From the cultural heritage of Odawara Castle to the spectacular views of Lake Ashi and the tranquil atmosphere of Hakone Shrine, this itinerary offers nature and history at the same time.
Odawara Castle
A castle ruin recommended for history buffs. The view from the castle tower is breathtaking.
- Address: 6-1 Jonouchi, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Parking: Paid parking available (300 yen per hour)
- Fare:
- Adults 500 yen,
- children 200 yen
Hakone Shrine
The symbolic torii gate standing by the lake. It is also popular as a power spot.
- Address: Jogashima, Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Parking: Paid parking available
- Recommended time of year: Fresh greenery in spring, sea breeze in summer
Lake Ashi
You can take a sightseeing boat around the lake and enjoy the view of Mt.Fuji.
- Parking: Paid parking available
- Fare:
- Adults 1,000 yen,
- children 500 yen
Owakudani.
An active volcanic area famous for its black eggs. The sight of white steam rising from the volcano is breathtaking.
- Address: Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Parking: Paid parking available (500 yen per hour)
- Caution: Entry may be restricted due to volcanic activity.
Please read an article about an actual road trip in Hakone with a rental car in Tokyo!
Owakudani was actually visited as well!
Driving Precautions
Roads in Kanagawa Prefecture tend to be crowded on weekends and during the tourist season, so early morning departures and weekday use are recommended. Also, be careful when driving on mountain roads and roads along the sea.
- Driving on mountain roads: Please drive carefully on the mountain roads in Hakone and Miura Peninsula as they are often curvy.
- Gasoline refueling: Check before you leave, especially in the Hakone area, as fueling stations are limited.
- Avoid congestion: Shonan and Hakone tend to be crowded on weekends, so a weekday road trip is recommended.
- Weather Check: Weather in Hakone area is changeable, so check before you go.
Summary
Kanagawa Prefecture is a great driving area where you can enjoy the charms of the sea and mountains all at once. On the Miura Peninsula, you can enjoy the beautiful coastline and fresh seafood, while in Odawara and Hakone you can enjoy the luxury of history and hot springs.
We hope you will use this road trip guide to plan an unforgettable trip!
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