Visit Kanagawa: 8 Hidden Travel Highlights in Yokosuka and Odawara
Last updated 2026-09-26 — Kanagawa Prefecture is located in the southwestern part of the Kanto region in Japan. With mountains, rivers, and the sea, Yokosuka is a city on the Miura Peninsula in the southeastern part of Kanagawa, home to an exotic U.S. military base. Since the Edo period...
By the MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department
Kanagawa Prefecture is located in the southwestern part of the Kanto region in Japan. With mountains, rivers, and the sea, Yokosuka is a city on the Miura Peninsula in the southeastern part of Kanagawa, home to an exotic U.S. military base. Since the Edo period, it has been active as a "gateway city to Tokyo Bay" that has served as a national defense base. Odawara City is situated in the southwestern part of Kanagawa Prefecture and is a historic "castle town" that developed around the residence of a feudal lord.
Kanagawa Prefecture is located in the southwestern part of the Kanto region in Japan. With mountains, rivers, and the sea, Yokosuka is a city on the Miura Peninsula in the southeastern part of Kanagawa, home to an exotic U.S. military base. Since the Edo period, it has been active as a "gateway city to Tokyo Bay" that has served as a national defense base. Odawara City is situated in the southwestern part of Kanagawa Prefecture and is a historic "castle town" that developed around the residence of a feudal lord.
The Matsunaga Memorial Hall. (Photo provided by Kanagawa Prefecture, the same applies below)
What kind of charm and features attract tourists to these two cities all year round? Here areYokosuka andOdawara’shidden travel highlights:
Yokosuka
Monkey Island
Monkey Island is the only uninhabited island in Tokyo Bay and also the largest natural island in the bay. It was used as a fortress during wartime, so various historical remains can still be found on the island. On Monkey Island, you can enjoy barbecues, fishing, and playing by the seaside. In summer, there is also a beach open for cooling off. It is a popular spot with about 150,000 visitors annually.
Historical buildings that protected Tokyo Bay.
Mikasa Park
Mikasa Park, themed around “water, light, and sound,” is a representative park in Yokosuka. It has also been selected as one of Japan’s “Top 100 City Parks” and “Top 100 Historical Parks.” The park not only has fountains and monuments but also preserves the former Japanese Navy battleship “Mikasa.” Aside from admiring the exterior of the battleship, you can also go aboard and explore the inside.
Mikasa Park, themed around “water, light, and sound,” is a representative park in Yokosuka. It has also been selected as one of Japan’s “Top 100 City Parks” and “Top 100 Historical Parks.” The park not only has fountains and monuments but also preserves the former Japanese Navy battleship “Mikasa.” Aside from admiring the exterior of the battleship, you can also go aboard and explore the inside.
One of the world’s three great memorial warships, the “Mikasa.”
Kurihama Flower Country
A green space park built using natural terrain. Seasonal flowers can be enjoyed all year round. The park includes a flower garden, a golf course, a shooting range, and even a foot bath where you can relax and unwind. At the park's scenic restaurant overlooking Tokyo Bay, you can enjoy dishes made with flowers harvested from the flower garden, which are very popular with visitors.
A green space park built using natural terrain. Seasonal flowers can be enjoyed all year round. The park includes a flower garden, a golf course, a shooting range, and even a foot bath where you can relax and unwind. At the park's scenic restaurant overlooking Tokyo Bay, you can enjoy dishes made with flowers harvested from the flower garden, which are very popular with visitors.
A carpet of blooming poppies.
Yokosuka Navy Curry
"Navy Curry" is cooked using a curry roux that is manually prepared by sautéing wheat flour and beef tallow. It was developed in the early Meiji period to address malnutrition among the Japanese navy. Compared to regular curry, navy curry is known for its thicker consistency. It is most commonly eaten with a side salad and milk. Yokosuka also holds a Navy Curry Festival every year.
"Navy Curry" is cooked using a curry roux that is manually prepared by sautéing wheat flour and beef tallow. It was developed in the early Meiji period to address malnutrition among the Japanese navy. Compared to regular curry, navy curry is known for its thicker consistency. It is most commonly eaten with a side salad and milk. Yokosuka also holds a Navy Curry Festival every year.
The first civilian-friendly dish in the military’s menu !
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