Kanagawa Prefecture is a diverse region south of Tokyo offering everything from the cosmopolitan port city of Yokohama to the ancient temples of Kamakura and the volcanic hot springs of Hakone. It combines urban sophistication with natural beauty, including stunning views of Mount Fuji and the rugged Shonan coastline.
Kanagawa Prefecture is one of Japan's most culinarily diverse regions. Yokohama's historic role as Japan's gateway to the world spawned a unique fusion tradition — 160 years of Chinatown, the birthplace of ie-kei ramen, Japan's first Western-style bakeries. Kamakura offers transcendent Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (shojin ryori) and handmade soba. The Shonan coast delivers the freshest shirasu (whitebait) from Sagami Bay, while Hakone ryokan serve multicourse kaiseki dinners using mountain-stream fish and seasonal alpine vegetables.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Kanagawa.
Ie-kei Ramen
Yokohama's iconic thick tonkotsu-shoyu hybrid broth with wavy noodles
Where to try: Yoshimuraya (Yokohama) or Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
Price: ¥900-1,200
Shirasu-don
Fresh whitebait from Sagami Bay on steamed rice — raw or lightly boiled
Where to try: Enoshima hilltop restaurants
Price: ¥1,200-1,800
Kamaboko
Odawara's artisan fish cake — steamed, grilled, or in udon soup
Where to try: Suzuhiro complex, Odawara
Price: ¥500-1,200
Shojin Ryori
Multi-course Buddhist vegetarian cuisine from Kamakura Zen temples
Where to try: Hachinoki Kita-Kamakura
Price: ¥4,000-8,000
Yokohama Chinese
Unique Cantonese-Japanese fusion born in Japan's largest Chinatown
Where to try: Manchinro Honten, Heichinrou (Chinatown)
Price: ¥2,500-5,000
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Japanese
Seafood
Cafe
Chinese
Craft Beer
French
Italian
Food tours & tastings in Kanagawa
Eat your way through Kanagawa with a guide.
Browse food experiences in KanagawaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Nikuman (steamed pork bun)
Pillowy steamed buns with pork and vegetable filling
Find it at: Yokohama Chinatown stalls
Yaki mochi
Grilled glutinous rice cakes brushed with soy sauce
Find it at: Komachi Street, Kamakura
Matcha soft-serve
Rich matcha (green tea) ice cream in a cone
Find it at: Enoshima, Kamakura Komachi Street
Kuro-tamago
Black hard-boiled eggs from Owakudani volcanic springs
Find it at: Owakudani, Hakone
Kamakura korokke
Deep-fried potato croquettes with seasonal fillings
Find it at: Komachi Street stalls
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Yokohama Chinatown
Japan's largest Chinatown with 600+ restaurants and food shops
Hours: 11:00-21:00 daily
Odawara Takashimaya Food Hall
Basement food hall with Kanagawa local specialties
Hours: 10:00-20:00 daily
Misaki Maguro Market
Fresh tuna market at Japan's largest tuna port in Miura
Hours: 07:00-16:00 (Sat-Sun best)
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Many traditional restaurants in Kamakura close on Wednesday or Thursday
Lunch set menus (teishoku) offer excellent value — often 30-40% cheaper than dinner
Ramen shops often use ticket vending machines — select and pay before sitting
Tipping is not customary in Japan; excellent service is the norm at all price levels
Hakone ryokan dinner (kaiseki) is typically included in the room rate
- Vegetarian
- Shojin ryori (Buddhist cuisine) in Kamakura is fully plant-based. Tofu and vegetable dishes available everywhere. Indicate needs in advance at ryokan.
- Halal
- Limited halal options but growing. Several restaurants in Yokohama Chinatown and international areas offer halal choices. Ask staff.
- Gluten free
- Soba is buckwheat but often contains wheat. Rice-based dishes (donburi, sushi) are generally gluten-free. Communicate allergies carefully.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥600-1,500 per meal (-10) | Convenience store onigiri, ramen shops, soba counter restaurants |
| Mid-range | ¥2,000-4,500 per meal (3-30) | Sushi restaurants, izakaya, Chinatown sit-down restaurants |
| Upscale | ¥8,000-25,000+ per meal (4-167+) | Kaiseki restaurants, omakase sushi counter, Hakone ryokan dinner |