18 Recommended beautiful spots in Kanagawa! Let’s drive! From the classics to little-know places

Here are some recommendations on classic to little-known sightseeing spots in Kanagawa! Why don’t you go around the scenic view in your rental car?
Breathe deeply to refresh your mind with a beautiful panoramic scenery that spreads out in front of you.

Article published by: Jalan Rent-a-Car

* Introduced facilities are excerpted from Jalan.net Sightseeing Guide
* The information and photos are not necessarily the lateset version. Please confrim on your own in advance

Sengokuhara-kougen Plateau

In the crater upstream of Hayakawa, this place that has many bog plants is designated as natural monuments. There is also a golf course. (Land of 50 Kanagawa scenic spots)

＼Selected reviews／
When I saw it for the first time I have shouted. (Lol) The scenery where pampas grass speads out in front of you is a huge nature. It was a wonderful view.
(Date of visit: July 28, 2018)

While driving in Hakone, I came to see pampas grass in Sengokuhara-kougen Plateau.
The whole Sengokuhara-kougen was covered with pampas grass and it was wonderful.
It was just at the best time that many people were visiting it.
The weather was fine, but it was cold even during the day.
(Date of visit: October 21, 2018)

Lake Miyagase-ko

This is the largest lake in the Tokyo metropolitan area that is formed by the Miyagase Dam, and is a source of drinking water for citizens of the prefecture.

＼Selected reviews／
It is a recommended spot for families and friends. It is a very large lake with rich nature. You can take a walk or enjoy various views of the scenery. You can feel plenty of negative ions.
(Date of visit: Sep., 2017)

I visited for the first time because I had a chance to come quite close. The scenery was so beautiful and surprising than I expected. I want to go again.
(Date of visit: Oct., 2017)

Ashinoko Lake

＼Selected reviews／
There is nothing more to say about the scenery of Mt.Fuji viewing from the lakeside.
During the fall foliage season, the colorful vividness is reflected on the surface of the lake, making it clear that it attracts viewers.
(Date of visit: Oct., 2018)

The scenery of Hakone was wonderful. The large lake surface overlooking Mt. Fuji was very peacefull and beautiful. It was nice to enjoy the sightseeing on the pleasure boat proceeded slowly.
(Date of visit: Mar., 2018)

Sagamiko Lake

Lake Sagamiko, located in Midori-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa, is a man-made lake created by damming the Sagami River with the Sagami Dam. This lake is about 12km in circuit, 45m in maximum water depth, 4820m3 in available storage capacity.
Pleasure boats are in service, or you can rent a motor boat, hand-rowing boat, and foot-rowing boat.
It is also known to be a venue for canoeing race at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Currently, Sagamiko Rowing Center of Kanagawa prefecture has been set up, and is a base for rowing race in the Kanto with a distance of 1,000m.
In addition, there are also events such as black bass fishing and fireworks on the lake, the number of tourists is increasing year by year as a popular spot due to its easy access.

＼Selected reviews／
Lake Sagami is full of nature and one of my favorite places.
Lake Sagami is a great place to take a stroll, and there are many other enjoyable facilities around for a nice trip.
(Period of visit: May, 2018)

The lake is surrounded by greenery and you can feel nature! It has impact with a very large lake. A place where you can spend time.
(Date of visit: Sep., 2016)

Yuigahama Beach

It boasts the longest beach in the sea of Kamakura and is very busy during summer vacation. You can find many seaside clubhouses and facilities here.

＼Selected reviews／
I like watching the calm sea and went to Yuigahama Beach in November. I refreshed while staring at a yacht that looks far away.
(Period of visit: Nov., 2017)

Yuigahama Beach has a spectacular summer scene.
It is a very recommended place ♪♪
The beach was beautiful.
(Period of visit: Jul., 2017)

Miho Dam

This is a multipurpose dam created by damming the Nakagawa, Genkura and Setsuke rivers. The fall foliage is especially beautiful, and together with Mt. Fuji seen from the Chiyo-no-Sawaenchi Observatory town on the lake shore is a superb. The prospects from here are also selected as “Hundred Views of Fujimi in Kanto”.

＼Selected reviews／
The dam is large and worth seeing, it has a park near the dam, so we often see people spending time with children on sunny days.
(Date of visit: 16th Mar., 2015)

Miho dam is a multipurpose dam created by damming the Nakagawa, Genkura and Setsuke rivers. The fall foliage is especially beautiful, and together with Mt. Fuji seen from the Chiyo-no-Sawaenchi Observatory town on the lake shore is a superb view. The prospects from here are also selected as “Hundred Views of Fujimi in Kanto”. I think it is worth to visit once!
(Date of visit: Nov., 2017)

Tanzawako Lake

This is an artificial lake in the upper-stream of the Sakawa River. Fireworks are held in summer and beautiful autumn leaves are seen in autumn. Mt. Fuji, which is also one of the top 50 scenic spots in Kanagawa, is viewed from the Chiyo-no-Sawaenchi Observation Deck on the shore of the lake. In particular, the scenery spreads out during autumn leaves season.

＼Selected reviews／
I parked a car on the shore of Lake Tanzawa and walked to the Yushin Valley. The lake among the mountains was so beautiful and not like Japan.
(Date of visit: Feb., 2016)

The lake is located in a mauntain surrounded by rich nature. You can take photos of nature in a wide variety of scenes. You can spend a relaxing time without being so crowded all the time.
(Date of visit: Jun. 2017)

Tateishi Park

Tateishi is the rock that protrudes at the edge of the shore. About 12 meters in height and about 30 meters in circumference. It is selected as one of the seven Miura stones. As a scenic spot, it has long been captivated by humans and the first Ando Hiroshige once painted this place in the “Takemi Farmous Handbook”. The park is well-organized and has colorful flowers, so it’s a good idea to choose for sightseeing
The cliff rock is symbolic and the park is full of blooming flowers.

＼Selected reviews／
Mt. Fuji seen from this Tateishi Park is a superb view that Utagawa Hiroshige drew in the Edo period. Izu Peninsula and Oshima can be seen on some days, so it is especially recommended in winter.
(Date of visit: May 2018)

The sunset view from here is very beautiful, that it is one of the famous places in the local area! I am impressed by the beauty of the sunset!
(Period of visit: Apr. 2017)

Inamuragasaki

It is a precipice that protrudes from the Southwestern edge of Yuigahama and once connected to Reisenzan, but is now cut off along the driveway and looks like an island. It is well-known that in 1333, when Yoshida Nitta attacked Kamakura, he cast a golden sword into the sea to raise the tide. There is a monument to Dr. Robert Koch, a German who is famous for discovering Bacillus tuberculosis and cholera vibrio. The hill on the west side of the cape is Inamuragasaki Park, where a monument to Yoshida Nitta and a memorial to the boat wreck known as the song of “Mashiroki Fuji no ne” stand, and a promenade is set up.

＼Selected reviews／
On the way from Yuigahama to Shichirigahama, only this place is shaping as small cape protruding into the sea. It is a superb view point where you can see the sunset beautifully.
(Date of visit: Sep. 2017)

This is a beautiful sunset spot with a high reputation as Kamakura. After a day of sightseeing in Kamakura city, I was watching the sunset leisurely in the evening
(Date of visit: Dec., 2017)

Hoshigayama Park

The spacious grassland is perfect for picnics. From the elevation of 814m, you can see the Manazuru Hanto Peninsula, the Izu Hanto Peninsula and even the Boso Hanto Peninsula on a clear day. You should visit “Satsuki no Sato” in the park in early June, the best season for Satsuki flowers. Enjoy your lunchtime with its beautiful scenery and relax.
A little-known spot, where you can overlook the Boso Hanto Peninsula

＼Selected reviews／
It is very spacious, has a good view, and makes me relax just by walking.
Next time I will visit here in different season, and want to enjoy the scenery of the season.
(Date of visit: Mar., 2018)

The view of the sea is amazing. The park will be appeared when you climb up a considerable slope by car, and you can overlook the magnificent Sagami Bay.
(Date of visit: Dec., 2016)

Chigogafuchi

This is a sea erosion plateau which appeared on the sea surface due to the uplift phenomenon. The name of Chigogafuchi is derived from the fact that Chigo Shiragiku from Kamakura Sosho-in killed herself by jumping off from here. The sunset seen from here is beautiful and has been selected as one of the “50 Kanagawa Scenic Spots”.

＼Selected reviews／
We arrived here when we were traveling Shonan by a rental car. The sunset was so beautiful. It is my lifetime memory.
(Date of visit: Nov., 2018)

The beauty of the sunset seen from here is exceptional.
I think it’s worth coming here just to watch the sunset.
(Date of visit: Feb., 2018)

Jogashima Lighthouse

Jogashima Lighthouse has a long history. In the first year of Keian (1648), Jiro Abe, who was then Misaki magistrate, set up a hanging platform on the eastern end of the island for sailing ships under the order of the Tokugawa Shogunate. It was abolished in 1678, and a lighthouse was built at the western end of the island. Later, in 1721, Kihei Kawahara changed the lighthouse to the bonfire again. The bonfire lighthouse continued its job until the night of August 12, 1873, but it was changed to a new lighthouse designed and built by a French engineer. This new lighthouse is Japan’s second Western-style lighthouse with white light. It was damaged by Kanto Earthquake (1923), but it was re-built in 1926 and the lighthouse has become a light of the hearts of sailors who sail off Jogashima.

＼Selected reviews／
The lighthouse and the sea created a very nice landscape. I think this is perfect spot to take pictures. You should go there on a sunny day.
(Date of visit: Nov., 2016)

A white lighthouse is really cool by contrast with the blue sky and the sea. You will be healed by the picturesque scenery. You can also find some souvenirs at souvenir shops around here.
(Date of visit: Jun., 2017)

Miyukinohama Beach

＼Selected reviews／
I went there during the off-season, but I was able to spend time slowly with noone around me. The scene is good and it feels good.
(Date of visit: 3rd May, 2016)

Mitsuishi Beach

Mitsuishi is famous as first sunrise spot. There are so many rocky creatures on Mitsuishi Beach that anyone can easily observe the creatures at low tide.

＼Selected reviews／
It is a famous spot for sunset, but during the daytime, the sea is blue and it is also very beautiful. I took some photos, and the sea in the photos look like tropical one. I dropped here in the afternoon of January 6th, and I recommend that you visit here.
(Date of visit: 6th Jan., 2017)

The sunrise is famous here, but I arrived in the afternoon. Still I was able to fully enjoy the beauty.
I could experience optical illusion when I saw the horizon. It is not easy to see the horizon usually, so
I could spend precious time here.
(Date of visit: Jul., 2016)

Chisuji Falls

Located at the foot of Mt. Asamasan, in a beautiful forest near the Jakotsugawa River. It is a clean waterfall that does not have much water but falls like a curtain.

＼Selected reviews／
I felt negative ions at Chisuji Falls. It was a really good place that made me forget all the bad stuff.
(Date of visit: Nov., 2018)

The Chisuji Falls was right in front of me, close enough to touch. It was a mysterious atmosphere because there was no sunlight.
(Date of visit: Aug., 2018)

Hien Falls

Hien Falls is about 20 meters in height and 10 meters in width. The name “en” means “kemuri (smoke)”, and as the name implies, the fall splashes the water like smoke. You can feel the strength more than Tamasudami Falls.

＼Selected reviews／
This fall is smaller than normal falls, but it has a beautiful flow. The water was beautiful, too.
(Date of visit: May 2012)

It is located on the site of Tenseien Garden, next to Tamasudare Falls. I thought it falls from higher place and more powerful than the Tamadare Falls.
(Date of visit: Nov., 2014)

Hayakawa

＼Selected reviews／
The river flows calmly, and you can see firefly in summer. Some people come here for fishing. The view from Ajisai bridge near Hakone Yumoto Station is known as a shooting spot.
(Date of visit: Oct., 2014)

The river flows from the bottom of Lake Ashinoko and it pours into Sagami Bay near Odawara. I also found this river at Hakone Yumoto’s hot spring town. There are many beautiful sceneries around the river, especially during the autumn leaf season.
(Date of visit: Nov., 2016)

Ishigoya Dam

This dam catches the water that was released from Miyagase Dam, and reduces the power to drain Nakatsugawa. The scenery that matches the valley is the best spot of here.

＼Selected reviews／
I’ve heard that this dam is used for power generation as a sub dam of Miyagase Dam. The scenery around the dam is very beautiful.
(Date of visit: Apr. 2018)

It is a small dam located about 500m downstream from Miyagase Dam. It catches the water that was released from Miyagase Dam,
and reduce the flow-power. It connects with Shinishigoya Bridge and Osawa Falls,
and it makes a wonderfull view of the valley.
(Date of visit: 2nd Oct., 2017)

※This article is based on information as of November 2018.
※The information and photos published here may not be the latest information. Please check for the most-updated information before your visit and obey the actual traffic regulations.