Enjoy Bay Area Energy and Nature Experiences in One Trip! 13 Recommended Tourist Spots in Kanagawa for Family Travel

Kanagawa Prefecture has a different feel in each area, from the lively bay area to the Shonan seaside and Hakone’s nature.
Because the distances are short, it is best not to pack in too much. Focusing on one area for the day makes it easier to get around.

In the bay area, it is easy to vary the day’s activities even within one area, such as combining aquarium or museum experiences with amusement park attractions.
By switching up how you spend your time without adding more travel, you can enjoy a well-paced day without overdoing it.

Your travel plan changes greatly depending on whether you keep things compact around Yokohama or go as far as Hakone for a different atmosphere.
Planning your route based on where you stay makes it easier to get around without rushing.

This hands-on museum lets visitors enjoy singing and dancing performances and exhibits within the world of the characters. There are plenty of play structures and play areas where children can explore, move around, and pretend to run their own shops.
On the 1st floor, restaurants and shops serve character-themed omelet rice, curry, bread, and sweets, so families can enjoy meals and shopping as well.

This facility lets visitors experience the fun of making things while learning about the history of instant ramen and the background of its invention. It is a hands-on food education museum where visitors can look, touch, play, eat, and learn hints for invention and discovery while having fun.
Popular experiences include the Chicken Ramen Factory, where you make noodles starting from the dough, and a workshop where you can create your own original cup of noodles.

This urban amusement park in Minato Mirai features a giant Ferris wheel, roller coasters, and more. With a wide range of attractions, from thrilling rides to child-friendly options, visitors can also take in views of the Yokohama cityscape from the Ferris wheel.
The park sells food and drinks for strolling, along with Yokohama souvenirs.
At night, the illuminated Ferris wheel adds another highlight, offering a different view from the daytime scenery.

This large seaside leisure facility combines an aquarium and attractions. Visitors can enjoy animal exhibits and hands-on experiences at four themed aquariums, along with a full amusement park area.
There are also many other facilities, including restaurants, barbecue areas, and shopping stores, making it perfect for a stroll while looking out at the sea. Another nice point is that many restaurants allow pets.
You can spend the entire day in a variety of ways.

This zoo features exhibits divided by the world’s climate zones, giving visitors a sense of the animals’ habitats. The spacious grounds are home to Approx. 100 animal species, and the different landscapes in each area are also worth seeing.
There are also areas where visitors can interact with animals such as horses and guinea pigs, as well as grassy plazas where you can eat a packed lunch.
With plenty of restaurants and shops inside the zoo, it is a place where you can spend a relaxing full day.

This facility introduces the history of urban transportation, centered on the streetcars that once ran through Yokohama. Exhibits of actual vehicles and experiences such as sitting in the driver’s seat let visitors discover the appeal of transportation.
At Hama Diorama, a main attraction featuring model railways and buses, a realistic miniature world full of carefully crafted details awaits. The exhibits recreating Yokohama’s streetscape are also worth a look.

This museum lets visitors experience the worlds of works such as “Doraemon.” Through special exhibitions and video displays, you can feel the background of the creator’s work and the appeal of the stories.
In the exhibition rooms, visitors can learn about the history of Doraemon while viewing original drawings. Approx. 200 original drawings are on display.
With a rooftop plaza, café, and shop, the museum offers a relaxed place to spend time.

Taking advantage of its location facing Sagami Bay, this aquarium features exhibits themed around marine environments and living creatures. Its exhibits and shows are based on Sagami Bay and the creatures that live there.
Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of exhibits, including dolphins, sea turtles, penguins, seals, and a jellyfish show using the world’s first 3D projection mapping.
The location, with views of Mount Fuji and Enoshima, is another highlight.

This expansive park is surrounded by the nature of the Miura Peninsula. With flower fields and camping facilities, there are many ways to spend your time. The large athletic facility, Approx. 15 m tall, offers 36 attractions, and from the rooftop you can also enjoy a zipline Approx. 300 m long that glides over the pond.
The rooftop of the large athletic facility can also be used as an observation deck. The panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Sagami Bay are a must-see.
You can spend a full day in this open location overlooking the sea.

This adventure resort spreads out in nature overlooking Lake Sagami. On its vast grounds of Approx. 1.49 million square meters, you will find athletic courses, an amusement park, BBQ facilities, campsites, and more, offering plenty of fun for the whole day.
In addition to thrilling attractions such as the huge athletic structure “Muscle Monster 2” and a suspension bridge where you can enjoy a walk in the air, there are also plenty of attractions for small children, including a Ferris wheel and carts. A day-trip hot spring is also available on site, so you can refresh after playing.

At this open-air museum surrounded by Hakone’s nature, visitors can enjoy artworks while walking through the spacious grounds. In addition to outdoor exhibits, there are many hands-on works, making it easy for children to enjoy.
Masterpieces by world-famous modern and contemporary artists such as Rodin, Moore, and Miró are on display.
The grounds also include a museum dedicated to Picasso’s works and a footbath.

Located on the shore of Lake Ashi, this aquarium lets visitors observe both freshwater and saltwater creatures. At 723 m above sea level, it has the highest elevation in Japan among aquariums with a large saltwater tank, and is also known as an “aquarium in the forest.”
The Saltwater Pavilion has a large tank Approx. 7 m high with a capacity of Approx. 1,255 tons, where visitors can see sea turtles and tropical fish swimming up close. Shows featuring divers feeding the fish are also held.

This large museum is organized around the history of Earth and life, with a wide variety of specimens and exhibits. Visitors can see Approx. 10,000 specimens up close, from real meteorites and ammonite fossils to insects only a few millimeters long and giant dinosaurs.
The permanent exhibition is divided into four themes and is designed to help visitors learn in a three-dimensional way about the formation of Earth and Kanagawa’s natural environment.

This hotel is located near Yokohama Chinatown, in an area with an international atmosphere. The property also has a long-established Chinese restaurant, allowing guests to enjoy a stay that feels distinctly Yokohama, including meals.
All guest rooms are equipped with spacious beds, ranging from semi-double to king size. With a wide variety of room types, it is easy to choose one that matches your travel style.

Directly connected to JR Sakuragicho Station, this hotel is easy to use as a base for sightseeing in Minato Mirai. With many commercial facilities and tourist spots nearby, its convenient access is a major draw.
Rooms include City View types overlooking the Yokohama cityscape below and Bay View types with views of the sea beyond the port town. Being able to relax while enjoying the scenery is another highlight.

This hot spring ryokan is within walking distance of Hakone-Yumoto Station, making it convenient as a sightseeing base. In addition to open-air baths and large public baths, the property offers facilities where guests can relax indoors.
There are 12 private “family baths” available (extra charge, same-day reservation required at the front desk). These also use free-flowing natural hot spring water and are popular with guests who want to bathe comfortably even with small children.
Parents and children can enjoy hot spring time without worry.