【Chosen by Photographers】Top 5 Shooting Spots in Kanagawa!

Photography spots and scenic spots exist not only in Kanagawa but throughout the country! What often comes up in searches are famous historical tourist sites, but… what would a photographer choose as their shooting spots!?

These are areas in Kanagawa where portraits come out exceptionally well, and spots that, thanks to a photographer’s eye, become picture-perfect. Here, we introduce shooting spots carefully selected by photographers along with images actually taken by them!

① Around Minatomirai

The first introduction is “Minatomirai”! Known as one of the top date spots in the prefecture, not just in Yokohama, Minatomirai is also ideal as a shooting spot! The entire Minatomirai area appears as if it were a shooting spot, with several places suitable for photography. Moreover, these spots look stunning regardless of the season or time of day, so you will never run out of compositions.

The yield for both portrait and landscape photography is particularly high. The neon-lit nightscape is especially superb! Whether you use it as a background for portraits or capture it as a landscape shot, the blend of the harbor and urban nightscape is so striking it makes you marvel at its photographic potential.

Since Minatomirai offers so many shooting points, it’s a great idea to enjoy photography while walking around, and even try discovering your own unique shooting spots. Spending a few days aiming to cover all the shooting spots in Minatomirai could be an exciting challenge.

② Yabitsu Pass

Yabitsu Pass is a shooting spot located in the central part of Kanagawa, in Hadano City. In the northwestern part of Kanagawa, the Tanzawa Mountains extend toward Yamanashi, while in the eastern part lies the Kanto Plain, the largest plain in Japan. Yabitsu Pass marks the entrance to the Tanzawa Mountains, and from its high vantage point, you can see the vast Kanto Plain—a breathtaking view that makes it one of the most famous date spots in central Kanagawa.

From National Route 246, proceed from the Namagi Intersection to Prefectural Route 70, and then drive along a mountain road to reach the Yabitsu Pass Observatory. You can start shooting immediately after getting out of your car at Yabitsu Pass. When in doubt, head to the observatory! However, note that there is no fence, so please be cautious of your footing.

Both daytime and nighttime shooting are possible, but the night view is particularly stunning! On clear days, the sea can be seen clearly, allowing you to capture the moonlight reflecting on the water—a particularly attractive feature on nights with a full moon!

In addition, Yabitsu Pass offers little surrounding light, making it possible to photograph a star-filled sky—a rare treat if you’re used to urban skies. Its popularity as a date spot is completely understandable.

③ Shonan-hira (Komaizan Park)

Next up is a shooting spot that is recommended for its “night view visible from the plain.” As mentioned earlier, the Kanto Plain is the largest plain in Japan, visible from Yabitsu Pass. While Hiratsuka in Shonan is a coastal city, this town located on the Kanto Plain offers the peculiar opportunity to capture a “starry night view”!

Without further ado, this spot is “Shonan-hira (Komaizan Park).” It is located in Hiratsuka, toward the Nishi (west) side near Oiso Town, in an area with more greenery surrounding the basin of Hadano City. Despite being in a densely populated area, the space presents a natural setting quite different from the typical image of Kanagawa.

After arriving at the parking lot, follow the direction marked by a TV tower that resembles Tokyo Tower, and you’ll find an observatory where you can capture a panoramic view of Shonan after a short walk. Besides this observatory, there are plenty of shooting opportunities all around. Unlike Yabitsu Pass, this location is closer to the sea, and if you turn towards the mountains, you can capture the beautifully laid out basin of Hadano City with the Tanzawa Mountain Range in the background! No matter which direction you face, the spot is rich with photographic potential.

Shonan-hira (Komaizan Park) also serves as a multi-functional outdoor facility where you can enjoy camping and barbecues. It truly is a place in Shonan where you can feel the nature of the mountains.

④ Chigo Gafuchi (Enoshima)

The next shooting spot introduced is Chigo Gafuchi, located on Enoshima.

Enoshima is renowned as a tourist destination in Kanagawa. The area around the famous Enoshima Shrine is bustling year-round, and visiting Enoshima often means a shrine visit! However, Chigo Gafuchi is located in the deepest part of Enoshima, completely transforming the usual bustling image of Enoshima. It features an unchanging natural scenery of rock formations, the sea, and Mt. Fuji that creates an overwhelmingly impressive view!

There isn’t a parking lot nearby, so you will have to walk a fair bit, making it a more physically demanding shooting spot. Also, while conditions must be right to capture the best shot with Mt. Fuji prominently in view, on clear days it is well worth the extra effort. It’s a spot where you can enjoy nature’s ever-changing beauty and capture a memorable shot.

The photographer's recommendation is to shoot at dusk. If such a breathtaking view awaits, it's understandable to go through a little hardship.

⑤ Fujiyama Park for Citizens – Cherry Blossoms (Isehara)

Lastly, we introduce the shooting spot “Fujiyama Park for Citizens,” which is a must-visit spot during cherry blossom season—a top cherry blossom spot recommended by photographers. This might be considered a hidden gem.

Fujiyama Park for Citizens is located in the central part of Isehara City in central Kanagawa, practically at the heart of the prefecture. Compared to its surroundings, its relatively large size makes it a local landmark, being just a 5-minute walk from Tokai University Hospital. With easily recognizable landmarks and accessible via National Route 246, it is very convenient to reach.

Although the park itself is not huge, it is one of the prefecture’s best hidden cherry blossom spots, offering various angles from which to shoot cherry blossoms.

Even during the cherry blossom season, it remains uncrowded on weekdays, making it ideal for those who wish to shoot in a quiet setting. Additionally, being located on a hill, it offers beautiful scenic views. Despite the increase in artificial structures like highways in recent years, the view from this high point is still impressive, making it a spot where both the cherry blossoms and the surrounding scenery can be beautifully captured.

Photographer Information

Photographer: TakeshiMitsuie
Specializes in single-lens reflex photography and editing, as well as shooting and editing single-lens video.
Also active as a photographer at the KT CLUB YouTube channel as one of the video creators, and works as a photographer for survival game fields and the Shonan Toss Field.