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A Trip to the Outskirts of Tokyo: Kawasaki City Sightseeing, Gourmet Treats, Lodgings, and Romantic Nighttime Views

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Kawasaki is a travel destination less than half an hour outside of Tokyo, which makes a trip to the city a great chance to check out some temples, shopping districts, and culinary specialties of all kinds, all away from the craziness of Tokyo. Besides the basics, though, Kawasaki is a place full of hidden treasures.

A Getaway from Tokyo – Kawasaki City



While you could happily spend a full day in Kawasaki shopping, snacking, and visiting temples, for many Japanese people their strongest image of the city comes from its "industrial nightscapes." Let us introduce you to the best way to enjoy the view of this spectacular nighttime Kawasaki attraction, plus a few other destinations to fill up a fun Kawasaki City itinerary.

First, Get Yourself to Kawasaki:
Tokyo Station → Kawasaki Station / JR Keihin Tohoku Line / Travel Time: 25 minutes

Recommended Sightseeing Spots

① Kawasaki Daishi (川崎大師)



Kawasaki Daishi is the location of Heikenji Temple (平間寺), a temple famous as a hatsumode (初詣) spot. For the uninitiated, hatsumode is a Japanese tradition where people all over the country visit shrines (or sometimes temples) for the first time that year, praying for good fortune throughout the following months. Being associated with this long-held tradition, Heikenji Temple gets a total of about 3 million visitors between January 1st and 3rd every year! The complex, with its enshrined deities, is known as a place that wards off evil and misfortune, so the crowds gather each year in hopes of preventing any disasters in the new year. Alongside the main temple building, there are quite a few structures that make up Kawasaki Daishi, so we recommend you take the morning to circle through them all.



Before heading for the temple itself, you can use the beautiful "chozuya" (手水舎), or hand-washing fountain, to cleanse yourself of misfortune by rinsing your hands and mouth.



Then proceed to the incense burner to make a sweet-smelling offering, wafting the smoke over your head to further purify yourself. These cleansing traditions are called "kiyomeru" (清める) in Japanese.



Inside the main temple building, you can pray for good health by having special sticks burned in an act of homa or, in Japan, "goma" (護摩). The monks of the temple will gather for a special ceremony, where they burn slips of paper inscribed with visitors' wishes.

Goma Schedule
Check the official Kawasaki Daishi schedule here, in English.



Within Kawasaki Daishi, there's a building called the "yaushi-den" (薬師殿). Visitors hoping to heal injuries or illness, or simply improve their health, often come to pray to the enshrined Buddha image, rubbing the body part they're trying to heal.



Right nearby, you'll also find a wall with 100 images of Kannon. In this one spot, you can see plates featuring 100 Kannon from all around Japan, and even touch them if you'd like.



The Kannon of Kyoto's famous Kiyomizudera Temple is also enshrined right here.



Traveling with a special someone? Don't miss the chance to cross this red bridge together – it's a destination for visitors hoping to strengthen relationships. An obvious spot for couples!



After touring the temple, lots of visitors relish the chance to buy an omamori (お守り) protective charm as a memento of the trip. There are plenty of the standard talismans that promise good health or safety, but… it's not every day that you see an omamori made to help give you clear, beautiful skin! Carry this pink charm with you, and you might just become a clear-skinned beauty!

Kawasaki Daishi
Address: 4-48 Daishimachi, Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Access: 8 min from Kawasaki Daishi Station, on the Keikyu Daishi Line
Official Website (en)

② Nakamise Street (仲見世通り)



Right in front of Kawasaki Daishi is Nakamise Street, or Nakamise Dori, a shopping street that still maintains an air of old-fashioned tradition. It's a path lined with sellers offering the same snacks that locals have been enjoying for generations, including tontoko candies (とんとこ飴), which actually originate from Nakamise Street!



You can find the tontoko candy being handmade here to this day, and see it for yourself.



The name of the candy supposedly comes from the way it's made. The candy makers chop the candy into little pillows in a flashy, rhythmic show of skill, which sounds a little like "ton-toko ton-toko ton-toko."



They sell quite a few candy varieties, but a clear one for the shopping list is the tontoko candy that comes in green packaging. Masaki Aiba, a member of the massively popular j-pop boyband Arashi, bought them when he visited!

Matsuya Sohonten
Address: 13-6 Daishimachi, Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Hours: 8:30 – 17:00



Walk a little ways from Nakamise Street to find this shop selling senbei (せんべい, traditional Japanese crackers).



These senbei are made one by one, carefully crafted by skilled chefs. You can see the spirit of Japanese artisan goods right before your eyes.

They've got some unique varieties of senbei, including crackers that are easy to break into bite-size pieces, senbei that come with omikuji fortunes, and even special senbei decorated with icing.

Kawasaki Daishi Raijindou
Address: 4-18 Daishimachi, Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Hours: 9:00 – 17:30

③ Kawasaki Horse Racecourse (川崎競馬場)



Looking at the title for suggestion number three, you might be furrowing your eyebrows and going "Visit a horse racing track while traveling in Japan? Really JAPANKURU?" But actually, racecourses in Japan are made to be destinations fun for both adults and children. Visiting the Kawasaki Racecourse feels a lot like a relaxing trip to the park.



On the lawn you might just run into ponies, going for walks or nibbling at the grass. How does a pony photoshoot sound?



And if you actually are interested in horse racing, definitely head inside and take a look! Before the races you can check out the horses walking around in the paddock, so look them over and see if you can predict which of them is in the best shape! Once you've decided, if you want to participate you can write down the number of your favorite on a special sheet and buy a betting ticket, before cheering them on as you watch the race. Or just admire some impressive animals at work!

Kawasaki Racecourse
Address: 1-5-1 Fujimi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa
Access: 12 min from Keikyu Kawasaki Station
Admission: 100 yen
Official Website (en)

Tasty Food Around Kawasaki Station

Eight Shops in One? An Unusual Izakaya







Italian food and traditional Japanese treats grilled on skewers, dumplings and tasty seafood, you can get all kinds of dishes here. If you're a fan of late nights out, you can have dinner, an afterparty, and an afterafterparty without ever having to leave the building.



Get the all-you-can-drink course to drink to your heart's content, even if you decide to move on to a "different restaurant" within the establishment. They just give you a yellow wristband when you order, so you can move around without any annoying restrictions. (And you'll definitely want to move around a little to see all the different options available!)



For your first course, how does a plate hot off the grill sound? These skewers are a staple of Japanese izakaya, and you can try varieties of all kinds for a reasonable price.



For the second course, seafood! You'll find some pretty magnificent displays of traditional Japanese seafood preparation.



The fun of a visit to Honobono Yokocho is moving to different tables in different areas in order to enjoy all kind of different foods. However, there are a few specific dishes that can be brought over to tables anywhere in the restaurant, so you can indulge in some intriguing culinary genre combos as well. Don't worry about searching for good spots for both dinner and an afterparty – just head to Honobono Yokocho to one unique izakaya experience!

Honobono Yokocho
Address: Kawasaki Station RiverK B1, 12-1 Ekimae Honcho, Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Hours: 16:00 – 23:30 (Fri, Sat ~24:00)
Phone: 050-5269-8463
Official Website (jp)

The Crown Jewel of Kawasaki Sightseeing – The Factory Nightscape

Round Off the Day with a Night View Cruise Tour



Right on the edge of Tokyo Bay, Kawasaki City has some heavily industrial areas packed with factories of all kinds. This means that there are facilities running at all times, with lights shining out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. At first this might not sound like something worth seeing, but the factories reflecting off the waters of Tokyo Bay make for a night scene worth laying eyes on. It's a must-see view during any tour of Kawasaki City.



The many factories are a little removed from the center of the city, and there are lots of nice viewing spots accessible by bus or other public transport, but the best way to take in everything at once is from the water – on a cruise boat!

Bring your own snacks and drinks and you can enjoy them in this convenient room onboard! For safety reasons, though, they ask that you refrain from bringing alcohol with you. Make sure you reserve tickets ahead of time right here, since they can't be purchased day-of. At the specified time you can just meet up with the other passengers in front of the Nikko Hotel at Kawasaki Station's east exit, for a bus that will shuttle you right to the cruise boat dock.

Cruise Details
Schedules & Reservations (en)
Fee: Adults (middle school students and older) 4,000 yen / Elementary School Students 3,000 yen
(Credit card payment options available when making reservations.)
Meeting Point: In front of the Kawasaki Station east exit Nikko Hotel.
Meeting Time: Mar to Sep 18:20 / Oct to Feb 17:20



Thinking about just staying on land? Then a stop at the Kawasaki Marien observation deck is a clear choice! You get a great view from up high, and entry is free.

Kawasaki Marien Observation Deck
Address: 38-1 Higashiogishima, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Access: From Kawasaki Station's bus stop #12, take the "川07" bus to Daiwa Corporation Mae bus stop, and walk an additional 10 minutes.

For a more romantic destination, wandering along the deck in Higashi-Ogishima East Park will let you see the lights glittering across the nearby bay waters.

Higashi-Ogishima East Park
Address: 58-1 Higashiogishima, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Access: From Kawasaki Station's bus stop #12, take the "川05" bus to Higashi-Ogishima East Park bus stop.

Or get right up close at the Kawasaki Konbinado Chidoricho Yard, a popular spot for photographers who love the futuristic atmosphere. It does look like scenery from a futuristic sci-fi anime.

Kawasaki Konbinado Chidoricho Yard
Address: 14-14 Chidoricho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Access: From Kawasaki Station's bus stop #12, take the "川04" bus to Shiei Futo bus stop.

Get a Great Deal on Lodgings!

A Hostel Complete with Trendy Cafe: On the Marks



If you like Kawasaki so much you want to stay the night, we've got a recommendation for some accommodations right inside the city. On the Marks offers some simple, compact private rooms that make staying in Kawasaki very reasonable.



While they do, of course, offer dormitory rooms as well, these cozy little private rooms offer a bed, a full-length mirror, plentiful outlets, a TV, and all the other little necessities that make up a fully outfitted room.



On the first floor of the hostel is a cafe & bar space that's also popular with passers-by who aren't staying the night.



The menu (featuring house-made smoked meats and cheeses, craft beer, and a selection of health-conscious options) is tempting for hostel guests and outside customers alike.

On the Marks Kawasaki
Address: 17-1 Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Access: 6 min from Kawasaki Station
Check In/Out: 15:00/10:00
Official Website / Reservations

Perfect for Sightseeing, Gourmet Outings, Romantic Evenings, and Then Staying the Night!

Today we did our best to introduce you to Kawasaki City, an excursion just outside of Tokyo, known for its unusually beautiful factory nightscape. Next time you’re looking for a fun day out, why not try exploring the many sightseeing spots of Kawasaki City during the day, and then taking a cruise out onto Tokyo Bay to enjoy the view after sunset? Head on over, and then let us know about your experience on twitter, instagram, and facebook! We can't wait to hear all about it!

Details

NAME:Kawasaki City (川崎市)

MAP

ACCESS:Kawasaki Station

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    • The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.

    • Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.

    • Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.

    • NIIGATA

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      Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.

    • SHIZUOKA

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      Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.

    • Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.

    • Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.

    • Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.

    • Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.

    • CHUGOKU

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      The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.

    • HIROSHIMA

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      Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.

    • SHIKOKU

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      On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).

    • Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.

    • Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!

    • FUKUOKA

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      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

    • KAGOSHIMA

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      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

    • OKINAWA

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      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

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