Kawasaki: Shopping, Factory Night Views, Dining, Hotels, and More!

Located near Haneda Airport, Kawasaki is accessible in under 20 minutes from Tokyo. Besides being a thriving industrial city, Kawasaki is home to popular attractions like the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum.

It also features large shopping facilities for enjoyable strolls and factory night view tours, contributing to Kawasaki's rapidly increasing popularity. This article showcases Kawasaki's transportation, sightseeing spots, shopping venues, restaurants, and more!

Kawasaki Travel Tips

How to Get to Kawasaki
Shopping Spots in Kawasaki
Places to Visit in Kawasaki
Dining and Cafes in Kawasaki
Kawasaki Hotels

How to Get to Kawasaki

Located between Tokyo and Yokohama, the bustling Kawasaki City boasts the convenience of having both JR and Keikyu Railway stations, making it easily accessible from various locations. Here is a brief overview below:

JR East Japan Trains

JR Kawasaki Station is a major transfer hub in the Kanto region, where multiple lines converge, including the Tokaido Line, Ueno-Tokyo Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, and Nambu Line.

It offers convenient access to destinations such as Tokyo Station, Ueno, Yokohama, Kamakura, and other sightseeing spots in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Keikyu Electric Railway

Keikyu Kawasaki Station is a 5-minute walk from JR Kawasaki Station along the Keikyu Electric Railway. From here, it's a 35-minute ride to Haneda Airport, making it very convenient for tourists.

Great Shopping Spots in Kawasaki

While venturing away from the city center, you'll discover that shopping in Kawasaki is equally enjoyable as in Tokyo!

Compared to Tokyo, Kawasaki is less crowded, providing a more comfortable shopping experience with many popular stores that don't have long lines! We'll introduce a couple of excellent shopping destinations below.

1. Lazona Kawasaki Plaza

Photo by Pixta
Lazona Kawasaki Plaza is the largest commercial shopping center in the Kawasaki area, directly connected to the JR station. It boasts a vast area, a wide variety of stores, and a rich selection of brands.

In addition to diverse dining options, the mall features fashionable apparel stores, a movie theater, and the popular electronics retailer Bic Camera. You'll even find outlets for UNIQLO and GU, UNIQLO's sister brand. The open grassy square inside the mall is an excellent place for kids to play. As a resident of Kanagawa, I often meet friends here on weekends!

Address: 72-1 Horikawa-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa

2. atre Kawasaki

Kawasaki Station is located within the atre shopping complex, with the building visible upon exiting the ticket gates. Inside the station, you'll often find dessert stalls, local souvenirs, and various shops, making it tempting to browse while changing trains.

Atre department stores are known for their large number of shops. Moreover, atre Kawasaki has a fresh and clean interior after undergoing recent renovations.

atre Kawasaki
Address: 26-1 Ekimae Honcho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa

3. Kawasaki Daishi Nakamise Shopping Street

Photo by Pixta
Located near Kawasaki Daishi Station between Kawasaki and Haneda Airport is Kawasaki Daishi Nakamise Shopping Street, a prominent tourist spot in Kawasaki.

The approach to Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple is particularly famous among temple-goers who pray to prevent disasters. Along the street, you'll find various lifestyle items, traditional Japanese candies, and senbei (rice crackers) from old shops. It's a must-visit for those who enjoy the nostalgic ambiance of old streets!

Address: 1-18-2 Daishi Ekimae, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City

Sightseeing in Kawasaki

Kawasaki boasts several unique tourist attractions. Here are a few recommendations:

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum

The Fujiko F. Fujio Museum was established after the passing of Fujiko F. Fujio, one of the creators of the popular manga "Doraemon."

Upon arriving at the nearest station, Tama Station, you'll start to hear Doraemon music playing. In addition to Doraemon, you can explore the artist's workspace, exhibits on the Undersea Super Train, and other short animations.

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum
Address: 2-8-1 Nagao, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, Kawasaki City

2-8-1, Nagao, Tama-ku, Kawasaki-shi, 〒214-0023

Kawasaki City Fujiko・F・Fujio Museum

2-8-1 Nagao, Tama Ward, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture 214-0023

Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line

This 15.1-kilometer expressway is a dedicated-toll road that spans Tokyo Bay, connecting Kawasaki City in Kanagawa Prefecture to Kimitsu City in Chiba Prefecture. It includes an elevated roadway and an undersea tunnel, providing a unique driving experience.

Along the way is the only sea-floating rest area, Umihotaru Parking Area (Kisarazu Artificial Island). Here, you can enjoy the sunset over Tokyo Bay, catch a glimpse of the Tokyo Skytree, and witness the enchanting night view of Kawasaki factories.

Address: Ukishimacho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa

Kawasaki Factory Night Views

Photo by Pixta
The industrial area of Kawasaki features factory night views across seven industrial islands and 16 canals surrounding these islands. The spectacular sight of the factories gives visitors a futuristic experience, day or night.

There are three main ways to enjoy the factory night views: immerse yourself in the fantastical sightseeing bus tour of the land scenery, take a cruise on a yakatabune (traditional Japanese houseboat) to view from the sea, or visit the observation deck at the Kawasaki City Port Promotion Hall for a panoramic view. Each method provides a stunning visual experience that is truly awe-inspiring!

Kawasui Kawasaki Aquarium

Picture courtesy of KKday
Here, you can explore the world's waterfronts, ranging from the Amazon in South America to the Pacific Ocean. Utilizing digital lighting techniques, the exhibits present entirely different sceneries during the day and night. Visitors can also enjoy panoramic screens of vast water areas. This spot is conveniently located in the city and allows interaction with adorable capybaras, making it a popular weekend destination.

Address: 9-10F, 1-11 Nichiinyo-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa

Dining and Cafes in Kawasaki

Kawasaki is home to many well-known chain outlets where you can enjoy delicious meals without long queues. There are also plenty of local gems to explore. Below is a selection of our recommendations:

Matsu no Ki

Listed in the 2024 Tabelog’s Top 100, Matsu no Ki is a Sichuan cuisine restaurant located a 5-minute walk from Keikyu Kawasaki Station. Their specialty dish is dan dan noodles, an authentic version with black vinegar and Sichuan peppercorns. The unique flavor pairs well with the thin noodles.

Address: 6-11 Miyamoto-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa

Sanzuru

Also listed among the 2024 Tabelog Top 100, Sanzuru is a Chinese cuisine restaurant in a hidden alleyway with a sophisticated atmosphere. You can savor one of Kanagawa's specialties, Sanma-men. Sanma-men, also known as "Nama-men" or "Raw Noodles," is a type of salt or soy sauce-based ramen served with thickened sauce mixed with bean sprouts and other vegetables.

Additionally, their signature dumplings, known for their chewy skin and crunchy cabbage filling, are worth a try.

Address: 16-10 Ogawacho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa

The Rising Sun Coffee Tsurumi Store

The third branch of the coffee shop, owned by the Japanese actor Kenji Sakaguchi, features a charming storefront integrated into the shopping street. Apart from their freshly roasted coffee, the cafe offers a variety of clothes and accessories. What's intriguing is that if you wish to visit the main Tokyo store, you must receive a business card that reveals the mysterious address of the Tokyo flagship!

Address: 4-15-13 Tsurumichuo, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa

Kawasaki Hotels

Picture courtesy of Booking.com
Given its proximity to Tokyo's city center and airports, Kawasaki is highly recommended as a convenient accommodation hub for exploring Japan. Here are a few recommended accommodations for your travels in Kawasaki.

Many people love staying at Tokyu Inn and Dormy Inn, both conveniently located near the station. For a more upscale experience, you can choose Slash Kawasaki, a three-star hotel with a bar and American restaurant, or the affordable hotel chain from Hoshino Resorts, OMO3 Tokyo Kawasaki.

Tokyu Inn Kawasaki Ekimae City Hall-dori Address: 2-11-15 Sunakawa, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa
Tokyu Inn Kawasaki Ekimae Sunakawa Address: 1-5-23 Sunakawa, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa
Dormy Inn Kawasaki Address: 9-3 Higashitamachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa
Slash Kawasaki Address: 2-9-7 Sunakawa, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa
OMO3 Tokyo Kawasaki Address: 17-1 Ogawacho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa

From luxury hotels to budget accommodations, you can find various lodging options in Kawasaki on Booking.com.

Enjoy Exploring Kawasaki

Kawasaki offers convenient transportation to and from Haneda Airport, Tokyo's city center, and even the Kamakura area for sightseeing.

With unique charms and attractions, Kawasaki provides a less crowded yet equally captivating experience than other tourist hotspots. I highly recommend considering Kawasaki for a different and enriching travel experience on your next trip to Tokyo!