Let’s Visit Ebina This Weekend! Discover Recommended Tourist Spots!

Located almost at the center of Kanagawa Prefecture, Ebina City is well-known, especially among drivers, for its large service area. While the service area is a major highlight, Ebina also offers other enjoyable tourist attractions.

In recent years, the area around Ebina Station has undergone significant development, featuring large shopping complexes, entertainment facilities, and numerous places to have fun. This guide introduces key attractions in Ebina, including famous nearby destinations like Samukawa Shrine.

1. Tomei Expressway Ebina Service Area

Ebina Service Area is the first service area on the Tomei Expressway when traveling from Tokyo. While service areas are typically rest stops for highway drivers, Ebina is so popular that it attracts many tourists as a destination in itself. Both the inbound and outbound sides boast the highest sales figures nationwide.

The souvenir and retail shops offer a wide variety of products, including rare and unique foods, making it fun to browse even without buying anything. Food is the highlight of any service area, and Ebina excels in this regard. The wide selection of dining options, ranging from high-quality restaurants to casual street food, is Ebina Service Area's main charm. With so many delicious choices, it can be hard to decide!

For those in the Kanto region who drive, hearing "Ebina" often brings the service area to mind. It's that well-known as a tourist spot. There’s even a parking lot accessible from public roads, so you don’t need to use the expressway to visit. Whether exploring Ebina City by car or simply taking a road trip, making the service area your destination is a great idea.

2. Lalaport Ebina

Opened in October 2015, Lalaport Ebina is a new commercial facility that quickly became a landmark tourist spot in Ebina. As part of the well-known Lalaport chain, it draws considerable attention and popularity.

Lalaport Ebina was built as part of a redevelopment project on the west side of Ebina Station, which previously lacked large-scale commercial facilities or attractions. With its direct connection to the station’s west exit, Lalaport Ebina has been bustling since its opening. The facility also includes food sections akin to those in supermarkets or department stores, attracting many visitors on their way home from the station.

Shopping is a major attraction, with a variety of stores offering everything from famous fashion brands and select shops to lifestyle goods and musical instruments. It’s a place where everyone, from friends to families, can enjoy a day out. The numerous relaxation and wellness services also bring regular visitors who aren’t necessarily there for shopping.

Lalaport Ebina has something for everyone, making it a must-visit destination in Ebina.

3. Vina Walk

Vina Walk is the most frequented tourist spot in Ebina. When it opened in 2002, it drew as many as 2 million visitors in its first month. With its colorful and fanciful design, the exterior feels like a theme park. True to its appearance, Vina Walk is packed with exciting attractions.

This large complex includes six main buildings (Buildings 1 to 6), along with Vina Plus and Vina Front. It houses a diverse array of shops—about 150 in total—offering fashion, lifestyle goods, furniture, and even hobby items like musical instruments.

There’s also a wide variety of dining options. The food court features many different types of cuisine, and "Vina Walk Ramen Alley" gathers multiple ramen shops in one spot. For nightlife, "Vina Yokocho" offers izakayas (Japanese pubs) open late into the night.

In addition to being a shopping and dining destination, Vina Walk functions as a central hub for local life in Ebina. It includes clinics, daycare centers, and other community services, making it essential not only for tourists but also for the city’s residents.

◆ Marui Family Ebina

Marui Family, part of the Marui chain operating mainly in the Kanto region, occupies Building 3 of Vina Walk. Designed as a family-oriented store, it caters to a broader audience compared to regular Marui outlets. Its standout feature is a wide selection of children’s clothing and goods.

The brands offered are stylish and trendy, appealing not only to families but also to fashion-savvy young people.

◆ TOHO Cinemas Ebina

Vina Walk offers more than just shopping. TOHO Cinemas Ebina, located within the complex, is a major cinema with 10 screens, making it one of the largest in central Kanagawa. Among its attractions is a massive screen with a capacity of 630 seats, ranking it as one of the largest in the country.

It also features state-of-the-art 4D screenings. In these immersive films, viewers experience motion seats, wind effects, and more, delivering the thrills and realism of a theme park attraction. Since few theaters offer 4D experiences, it’s highly recommended to try it out during your visit to Ebina.

◆ Ebina Central Park

Originally a concrete plaza when it opened in 1985, Ebina Central Park was transformed into a beautiful green space with the development of Vina Walk. The park now features flowing streams, scattered benches, and shaded areas perfect for resting or chatting during shopping trips.

The park’s landmark is a seven-story pagoda, a scaled-down reproduction of the pagoda that once stood at Kokubun-ji Temple in Ebina during the Nara period. This iconic structure enhances the park’s charm and historical significance.

4. Samukawa Shrine

Samukawa Shrine, located in Samukawa Town neighboring Ebina City, is a highly esteemed and historic shrine. It holds the title of the most prestigious shrine in the former Sagami Province ("Ichinomiya") and is renowned as a leading site for “Happo-yoke,” a form of spiritual protection against misfortune stemming from all directions.

The shrine grounds are expansive, radiating a solemn and sacred atmosphere. Visitors walk along a long path from the Torii gate, pass through the Shimon (main gate), and arrive at the main hall. The current main hall, exuding grandeur, was rebuilt in 1997 and continues the shrine's rich legacy.

Samukawa Shrine attracts worshippers from outside Kanagawa Prefecture as well. It's New Year’s visitation sees around 400,000 people annually. In addition to its Happo-yoke blessings, the shrine is also called the "God of Ratings," drawing television professionals and celebrities who come to pray for the success of their programs.

The shrine is about a 5-minute walk from JR Sagami Line’s Miyamae Station, which is approximately 30 minutes by train from Ebina Station. There is also parking available, though it can get extremely crowded during peak times such as New Year’s.

As one of Kanagawa's prominent tourist spots, Samukawa Shrine is a worthwhile visit. Since it’s relatively close to Ebina, consider extending your trip to explore this spiritual destination.

◎Summary of Ebina’s Tourist Spots

Ebina offers a mix of large-scale commercial facilities and cultural destinations like Samukawa Shrine. With a growing population, Ebina is becoming a central hub in the Kanagawa central region. Development around the station continues, promising even more growth and attractions in the future.

Ebina is enjoyable both as a service area stop and as a destination after exiting the expressway. Be sure to visit and explore all it has to offer!

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Let’s Visit Ebina This Weekend! Discover Recommended Tourist Spots!