11 Recommended Valuable Historical Spots That Still Exist in Kanagawa

Kanagawa Prefecture is home to many historically significant locations and places where key turning points in history took place. The ancient city of Kamakura, which developed from the Asuka period, marks the beginning of Japanese culture where Buddhism, which had evolved since then, fused with Shinto, the religion that had been revered until that time. Famous sites such as the Great Buddha of Kamakura and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, as well as Kenchoji and Engakuji temples, are all connected to the Kamakura Shogunate and offer visitors both a chance to enjoy history and beautiful flowers.

Places like the impregnable Odawara Castle and the Hakone Checkpoint are perfect spots to leisurely explore and reflect on the past. Perry Park, Mikasa Park, and Yamashita Park are significant historical spots from the late Edo to the Meiji and Taisho periods, and strolling through them while contemplating their historical importance provides a unique experience. In Kanagawa, here are 11 must-visit historical spots.

1. Hasedera Temple in Kanagawa – A Historical Spot with Beautiful Seasonal Flowers

Hasedera Temple, located in the ancient city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, is known as the "Temple of Flowers" due to the beautiful seasonal flowers that bloom across its grounds on Mount Kannon. In spring, cherry blossoms and peonies bloom, while early summer brings an impressive display of 2,500 hydrangeas. Autumn sees the blooming of bush clovers, and winter brings camellias. The temple is also famous for its stunning autumn foliage. Because of its beauty, it is often referred to as the "Western Pure Land of Paradise."

Hasedera Temple is an ancient site, founded in the Nara period, and its main statue is the Eleven-Headed Kannon. This statue is said to be paired with the main statue at another Hasedera Temple located in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture. The statue was carved from a sacred camphor tree, and one of the two statues was enshrined in the Hasedera Temple in Nara, while the other was sent to the sea as a prayer and, after 15 years, washed up on the Miura Peninsula. It was enshrined in the Kamakura Hasedera Temple, where it remains today.

In addition, the "Kannon Museum" to the west of the main hall displays valuable Buddhist statues and rare temple bells. The temple grounds also feature monuments like a haiku stone dedicated to poet Takahama Kyoshi and a bust of author Kume Masao. Hasedera Temple, one of Kamakura's most famous scenic spots, offers a breathtaking view of the Sagami Bay and the city of Kamakura from its observation deck.

2. Odawara Castle in Kanagawa – A Historically Significant and Impregnable Fortress

Odawara Castle, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of the most historically significant locations in Japan. The fall of this castle marked the turning point for Toyotomi Hideyoshi in his unification of Japan, a feat that Oda Nobunaga had failed to achieve. At the time, Odawara Castle was known as an impregnable fortress.

The lord of the castle, Hojo Ujiyasu, was a renowned warlord, comparable to Takeda Shingen of Kai and Uesugi Kenshin of Shinano. These three warlords were famous for their intense battles, and Odawara Castle withstood many attacks from the forces of Takeda and Uesugi. The castle became known as invincible, having repelled numerous sieges. It’s fascinating to consider how history might have changed had Uesugi Kenshin and Hojo Ujiyasu joined forces after the death of Takeda Shingen, aiming for control of Japan.

3. Kōtoku-in – The Famous Historical Spot with the Great Buddha of Kamakura

Many people may not immediately recognize the name "Kōtoku-in" in Kanagawa Prefecture, but the "Great Buddha of Kamakura" is widely known. Kōtoku-in is a Jōdo-shū temple that enshrines the Great Buddha, a national treasure, representing the statue of Amida Nyorai.

Originally, the Great Buddha was housed in a large hall, but it was destroyed by powerful winds, tsunamis, and earthquakes, according to historical records. The remnants of gold leaf on the statue’s right cheek suggest that the Buddha was originally an elaborate and luxurious golden statue. The interior of the Great Buddha is hollow, and visitors can enter and view it from within, offering a unique experience.

4. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine – A Historical Spot Linked to the Kamakura Shogunate

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, located in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a shrine with deep ties to the Kamakura Shogunate. The origin of the shrine dates back to when Minamoto no Yoriyoshi enshrined the Hachiman deity from Iwashimizu Hachimangu in Kyoto as Tsurugaoka Wakamiya at Yuigahama. After the shrine's decline, Hojo Ujitsuna rebuilt it, and many structures such as the Niomon Gate and Goma-do Hall were established by the Edo Shogunate.

Though the shrine suffered losses during the Meiji period due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism and was further damaged by the Great Kanto Earthquake, it was later restored. The shrine is known for its numerous national treasures, including ancient sacred treasures, numerous swords, lacquered bows, and inlaid lacquer inkstone boxes. Notably, the swords from the Nara period are characterized by a unique curvature, with some being distinctly different from Edo period swords in how they were worn. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is also famous for its yabusame (horseback archery) performances, which are held during the autumn festival.

The shrine’s connection to the legendary Minamoto no Yoshitsune is also commemorated, with songs by his lover Shizuka Gozen remaining at the site.

5. Kenchoji Temple – The Top Temple of the Kamakura Five Zen Temples

Kenchoji Temple, founded by Hojo Tokiyori, the 5th shikken (regent) of the Kamakura Shogunate, is the main temple of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and is ranked as the top among the Kamakura Five Zen Temples. Hojo Tokiyori was known for his deep devotion to Zen, and it is said that Zen teachings from Kenchoji spread across the region.

The temple features a series of traditional architectural elements, including a rare "Sanmon" gate, which lacks doors and walls, reflecting the simplicity of Zen principles. The main hall is famous for its ceiling painting of a cloud dragon, created by Junzaku Koizumi, and the intricate carvings in the Buddhist hall’s transoms. Kenchoji’s grounds also offer stunning views of seasonal beauty, such as cherry blossoms along the approach, peonies, lotuses, and vibrant autumn foliage.

6. Engakuji Temple – A Historical Spot Featured in Literary Works of Renowned Authors

Engakuji Temple, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a prominent Zen Buddhist temple founded by Hojo Tokimune, the 8th shikken (regent) of the Kamakura Shogunate. It ranks as the second temple among the Kamakura Five Zen Temples and is well-known for being featured in the works of famous Japanese authors such as Natsume Sōseki and Shimazaki Tōson.

The temple was initially established to commemorate the victims of the first Mongol invasion, the Battle of Bun'ei. However, during the construction, the second Mongol invasion, the Battle of Kōan, occurred, and the temple also became a site for memorial services for those who died in both invasions. The fact that these memorial services were held without distinction between enemies and allies reflects an important aspect of Japanese character, demonstrating a sense of inclusivity and magnanimity.

Though the temple has suffered numerous fires and earthquakes over time, including the Great Kanto Earthquake, it is home to the only national treasure of architectural significance in Kanagawa. The Shaido (reliquary hall) at the Shōzoku-in sub-temple is designated as a national treasure. While the hall is typically not open to the public, its exterior is occasionally displayed to visitors during the first three days of the New Year and around November 3rd.

7. Shirahata Shrine – A Historical Spot Associated with Minamoto no Yoshitsune

Shirahata Shrine, named after the "white flag" symbolizing the Genji clan, is one of more than 70 shrines across Japan dedicated to Minamoto no Yoshitsune. In Kanagawa Prefecture, Shirahata Shrines are located in places such as Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the site of Hokkedo, Fujisawa, Miura, and Yokohama. Among them, the Shirahata Shrine in Fujisawa City enshrines Minamoto no Yoshitsune as its main deity.

Minamoto no Yoshitsune, known for his legendary exploits with his companion Benkei, was a highly popular figure. Despite being a warrior who fought valiantly for his brother, Minamoto no Yoritomo, to establish the Kamakura Shogunate, Yoshitsune eventually became a target of his brother's jealousy and was forced into hiding. He sought refuge in Hiraizumi in the Oshu region, but he was ultimately unable to escape his pursuers and took his own life. Shirahata Shrine was established, as it is believed, under the orders of Yoritomo to calm the spirit of Yoshitsune.

8. Hakone Sekisho (Hakone Checkpoint) – A Stronghold of Edo Period History

Located in the mountains of Hakone, the famous Hakone Sekisho (Hakone Checkpoint) was a significant historical site known as "Hakone Hachiri," referring to the long stretch of road leading through the area. The checkpoint became famous as one of Kanagawa's important historical landmarks. Originally, a checkpoint’s main purpose was to protect a country's borders from enemy invasion, but over time it evolved into a place where taxes were collected.

Under Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the system of "Sankin-kotai" (the alternate attendance system) was introduced. This system required feudal lords (daimyo) to travel to Edo (modern Tokyo) once a year, keeping their wives and children there as hostages, which financially drained the lords and weakened their power.
Hakone’s rugged terrain, known as "tenka no ken" (the world's peril), made the area a natural fortress. With steep cliffs and Lake Ashi, crossing through the Hakone Sekisho was extremely difficult. The checkpoint was particularly strict about controlling the movement of women and firearms, with the saying "Iri Teppou, De Onna" ("Entering with firearms, leaving with women") reflecting the focus on preventing women from leaving Edo and weapons from being brought into the city.

After the Meiji Restoration, all checkpoints were abolished. However, through the "Hakone Sekisho Restoration Records," the site has been partially restored, allowing visitors to glimpse the structure and scenery of the past, making it an important historical facility today.

9. Perry Park – A Historical Site of Japan's Opening to the World

In 1853, during the late Edo period, U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry arrived at the Uraga Channel in Kanagawa Prefecture, urging Japan to open its doors to the world. At the time, Japan was considered a key refueling and supply point for the United States. Perry's demands for opening Japan were backed by the threat of military force, leading to a sharp division in Japan between those advocating for opening the country and those calling for war. This ultimately resulted in internal strife and marked the beginning of the end for the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Perry Park is a historical park located in Kurihama, Yokosuka City, where Perry landed. The park features a memorial monument to Perry’s landing, the Perry Memorial Hall, and a children's playground. Every July, the lively Perry Festival is held here to commemorate this pivotal moment in Japan’s history.

10. Mikasa Park – A Historic Spot to See the Battleship Mikasa

Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Mikasa Park is home to the Battleship Mikasa, which played a pivotal role in Japan’s victory over the Russian Baltic Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War. The park features a fountain show, a spacious lawn, and a statue of Admiral Heihachiro Togo, the commander of the Combined Fleet. It is also listed among Japan's "Top 100 Urban Parks" and "Top 100 Historical Parks."

The Mikasa served as the flagship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during the war, led by Admiral Togo. At the time, Russia was considered an unstoppable global power, making Japan's victory seem impossible. However, Japan’s success, along with Admiral Togo’s famous "Togo Turn" strategy, became a milestone in world history. The Mikasa, which was built in Britain due to Japan’s limited resources, is a symbol of Japan's strategic partnership with the UK in resisting Russia's expansion in Asia.

The Mikasa’s bow faces the Imperial Palace and Russia, reflecting its historical significance. Visitors can view the actual battleship at this remarkable historical site.

11. Yamashita Park – A Symbolic Historical Spot in Yokohama

Yamashita Park, located in Yokohama, is a popular recreational spot today, but it has a historical significance as a site rebuilt after the devastation of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. The earthquake caused severe damage in Yokohama, and in an effort to promote recovery, the area was reclaimed by filling in the land with debris, creating the park we see now.

The park is dotted with memorials and facilities built to commemorate the reconstruction, including statues like the "Girl in Red Shoes," a symbol of the famous Japanese children’s song, and the "Water God" statue. Another notable feature is the monument to the song "The Sailor of the Seagull," which has been translated into ten languages and is still sung around the world.

One of the main attractions in Yamashita Park is the Hikawa Maru, a large passenger ship moored in the park. Known as the "Queen of the North Pacific," the ship boasts beautiful craftsmanship and luxurious amenities. Visitors can explore the interior of the ship. Along the waterfront, visitors can enjoy the refreshing sea breeze, watch seagulls flying, and listen to the sound of ship horns. The park is also famous for its rose garden, known as the "Future Rose Garden," and features seasonal flowers, making it a perfect spot for families, couples, or individuals to relax on benches or the lush grass. The nighttime view, with illuminated sights like Minato Mirai and the Hikawa Maru, offers a stunning experience of the revitalized Yokohama harbor.

◎Summary of Historical Spots in Kanagawa

Kanagawa is home to many historically significant places, such as the ancient city of Kamakura and the Hakone Sekisho (checkpoint), making it a region rich in history, especially due to its proximity to Edo (modern Tokyo). The area's diverse geography, from hilly landscapes to plains, made it a key location throughout Japan's history. Many historical tales, including those of tragic yet famous military figures, remain part of Kanagawa’s legacy. Use this guide to explore the historical spots in Kanagawa and immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of the past.

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11 Recommended Valuable Historical Spots That Still Exist in Kanagawa