Top 12 Things to Do in Kawasaki, Japan

Kawasaki is often overlooked by travelers rushing between Tokyo and Yokohama, but this vibrant industrial city has so much more to offer than meets the eye. Located just 18 minutes from Tokyo Station, Kawasaki combines fascinating industrial heritage, peaceful parks, unique museums, and authentic Japanese culture. 

Whether you're interested in anime, traditional temples, or futuristic factory tours, this guide will help you discover the best of Kawasaki.

1. Visit Kawasaki Daishi Temple

Pagoda of Kawasaki Daishi Temple, Kawasaki, Japan

Start your Kawasaki journey at Kawasaki Daishi (officially Heiken-ji Temple), one of the most important Buddhist temples in the Kanto region. Founded in 1128, this ancient temple is famous for warding off evil spirits and bringing good luck. 

The massive Niomon Gate welcomes you into a world of spiritual tranquility, where the scent of incense fills the air and beautiful traditional architecture surrounds you.

The temple becomes especially lively during New Year's when millions of Japanese people visit for their first shrine visit of the year, called "Hatsumode." Even on regular days, you can watch monks performing rituals and see locals praying for protection and prosperity. 

The temple grounds also feature a five-story pagoda and various smaller shrines worth exploring. Consider joining a guided temple tour to learn about the deep religious significance and fascinating history of this sacred place.

2. Explore the Doraemon Museum

Fujiko · F · Fujio Museum

Anime fans, rejoice! The Fujiko F. Fujio Museum celebrates the creator of Japan's beloved blue robot cat, Doraemon. This colorful museum showcases original drawings, manuscripts, and interactive exhibits that bring the world of Doraemon to life. 

Walking through the galleries feels like stepping into your childhood, surrounded by characters that have touched millions of hearts worldwide.

The museum features a rooftop garden with life-sized character statues perfect for photos, a special theater screening exclusive short films, and a themed café serving adorable Doraemon-shaped treats. Each item on the menu is designed to match characters from the series. 

Remember that you cannot buy tickets at the door. You must book in advance through a travel agency or convenience store in Japan. The museum limits daily visitors to preserve the experience, so booking early is essential. Many travelers combine this museum visit with other Kawasaki attractions as part of a comprehensive day tour of the area.

3. Discover Traditional Houses at Nihon Minka-en

NIHON MINKA-EN Japan Open Air Folk House Museum

Step back in time at the Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum (Nihon Minka-en), where 25 traditional farmhouses and buildings from the Edo period have been carefully relocated and preserved. Located within Ikuta Ryokuchi Park, this open-air museum lets you walk through authentic thatched-roof houses, a functioning watermill, and even a kabuki stage.

Each building tells the story of how Japanese people lived centuries ago. You can see traditional farming tools, old kitchen equipment, and unique architectural techniques that kept these houses standing for hundreds of years. 

Some of the houses are gassho-zukuri style, similar to the famous villages in Shirakawa-go. The museum also offers hands-on experiences like traditional indigo dyeing workshops where you can create your own souvenir. 

One house even contains a soba noodle restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Japanese noodles in a historical setting. The museum's detailed English explanations make it easy for international visitors to understand the cultural significance of each structure. 

4. Experience the Factory Night View Tours

evening scene of Sumida river Yakatabune boats

Kawasaki's industrial heritage has become one of Japan's most unique attractions. By day, the factories along the waterfront look ordinary, but after sunset, they transform into a mesmerizing cyberpunk landscape. Bright lights illuminate complex pipe systems, steam rises dramatically from towers, and the entire area glows with an otherworldly beauty.

Several tour options let you experience this spectacle. The most popular is the yakatabune boat cruise, which sails through the canals for about three hours, letting you see the illuminated factories from the water. 

Tours typically depart on Saturday evenings from locations near Kawasaki Station. Guides explain what each factory produces and point out the most photogenic spots. For a different perspective, consider a bus tour that includes dinner and stops at viewing points not accessible by boat. 

There's even a luxury restaurant bus option where you can enjoy French cuisine while viewing the factories through an open-roof bus. These tours cost between 4,000 to 15,800 yen depending on the experience you choose.

5. Relax at Ikuta Ryokuchi Park

Ikuta Green Area

Ikuta Ryokuchi Park is Kawasaki's largest green space, covering 119 hectares of woodlands, walking trails, and open fields. This nature-rich park feels like a peaceful escape from city life, yet it's surprisingly close to central Tokyo. The park contains the Nihon Minka-en museum mentioned earlier, plus several other attractions that make it perfect for a full day visit.

Hike up to the Mount Masugata observation deck for panoramic views across Kawasaki. On clear days, you can see Mount Fuji, Tokyo Tower, and Tokyo Skytree. The park also houses the Kawasaki Municipal Science Museum with its planetarium, the Taro Okamoto Museum of Art, and seasonal rose gardens that bloom in spring and autumn. 

Cherry blossoms cover the hillsides in spring, making it a popular hanami (flower viewing) spot. The park's trails wind through forests of Japanese oak trees, and you might spot various bird species if you visit quietly.

Families love the central plaza with its vintage steam locomotive display and spacious lawn areas perfect for picnics. The park hosts traditional craft workshops where you can try activities like indigo dyeing. 

6. Meet Animals at Yumemigasaki Zoo (Free Entry!)

Yumemigasaki Zoological Park

Here's something special: Yumemigasaki Zoo is completely free to enter! Perched on a hill just 10 minutes from Shin-Kawasaki Station, this compact zoo houses over 50 species including adorable red pandas, ring-tailed lemurs, mountain zebras, Humboldt penguins, and various monkeys.

While not as large as major zoos, Yumemigasaki offers an intimate experience where you can observe animals up close. The red pandas are fan favorites, along with the endangered Hartmann's mountain zebra and the impressive markhor with its large spiral horns. The zoo includes a children's playground and connects to Yumemigasaki Park, a large grassy area perfect for relaxing or playing games after visiting the animals.

The zoo opens daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, making it an easy morning or afternoon activity. During spring, about 400 cherry trees bloom around the zoo, creating a beautiful backdrop. The Fujimi Deck observation point offers views of Kawasaki City and even Mount Fuji on clear days. 

7. Shop and Dine at La Cittadella

La Cittadella

Transport yourself to Italy without leaving Japan at La Cittadella, a charming outdoor shopping and entertainment complex designed to resemble an Italian hillside village. Opened in 2002, this unique destination features cobblestone streets, European-style architecture, and a romantic fountain square where shows run every hour with music and lights.

The complex houses numerous restaurants serving everything from authentic Italian pasta to Japanese cuisine and international dishes. You'll find stylish boutiques, a beauty salon, and the massive Cinecitta cinema complex with 12 screens, one of the largest in the Tokyo area. 

Club Citta, a 1,300-capacity concert venue, hosts live music performances throughout the year. The complex even has a wedding chapel for couples seeking a European-style ceremony.

La Cittadella stays open until late, with shops operating from 11 AM to 8 PM and restaurants until 10:30 PM (some later). Located just five minutes from Kawasaki Station's east exit, it's incredibly accessible. Throughout the year, the complex hosts various events including the famous Kawasaki Halloween parade in October and Okinawan cultural festivals. 

8. Learn at Taro Okamoto Museum of Art

Taro Okamoto Museum of Art

Discover the bold, colorful world of Taro Okamoto, one of Japan's most influential avant-garde artists. Born in Kawasaki in 1911, Okamoto created works that challenged conventional thinking and celebrated human vitality. The museum, located within Ikuta Ryokuchi Park, displays his paintings, sculptures, and mixed media pieces, plus works by his parents who were also artists.

Okamoto's most famous work is the "Tower of the Sun," a 70-meter tall sculpture created for the 1970 Osaka Expo. While the original stands in Osaka, you can see a replica and related works here. 

The museum's collection shows Okamoto's evolution as an artist and his philosophy of embracing contradiction and chaos as part of life. His energetic, often startling art style makes this museum memorable even for people who aren't typically art enthusiasts.

The museum building itself is designed to blend with the surrounding nature of Ikuta Ryokuchi. Entry costs 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for students, making it an affordable cultural experience. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and educational programs. 

9. Experience Kawasaki Warehouse (Now Closed, But Worth Knowing)

While sadly closed in 2019, the Anata no Warehouse game arcade deserves mention as it was one of Kawasaki's most unique attractions. This dystopian-themed arcade was modeled after Hong Kong's infamous Kowloon Walled City, featuring grimy corridors, flickering lights, and incredibly detailed post-apocalyptic decor.

Though you can't visit it anymore, many similar entertainment venues exist in Kawasaki. Silk Hat and other game centers offer crane games, rhythm games like Dance Dance Revolution and Taiko no Tatsujin, and various arcade classics. These remain popular spots for both locals and tourists wanting to experience Japanese arcade culture. The legacy of Anata no Warehouse reminds us that Kawasaki embraces creative, unconventional entertainment.

10. Try Local Food at Kawasaki Markets

Okinawa Soba Noodles

Kawasaki offers fantastic food experiences beyond restaurants. The area around Kawasaki Station features underground shopping areas like Azalea, where you can find everything from bento boxes to specialty snacks. The streets leading to Kawasaki Daishi temple are lined with traditional shops selling local delicacies.

Don't miss trying local street food like senbei (rice crackers), fresh mochi, and kuzumochi (a traditional sweet made from fermented wheat starch). Many small family-run restaurants serve authentic ramen, soba noodles, and yakitori at reasonable prices. The area also has a Koreatown section with Korean BBQ and kimchi shops, reflecting the diverse community.

For a truly local experience, visit during meal times and eat where Japanese workers eat—small restaurants with ticket machines outside are usually excellent and affordable. Food tours are available that take you through Kawasaki's best eating spots, teaching you about local culinary traditions while satisfying your appetite.

11. Explore Kawasaki Shuku History

View of Kawasaki cityscape

Kawasaki was once an important rest station along the historic Tokaido road connecting Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto. The Kawasaki Shuku Kohryukan museum preserves and shares this fascinating history. While most of the original buildings are gone, this museum recreates the atmosphere of the old post town through displays and artifacts.

You can learn how travelers in feudal Japan rested here, what merchants sold, and how the town developed over centuries. The museum shows old maps, tools, and documents that bring history to life. Located near the modern city center, it's a quick visit that adds context to your Kawasaki experience, showing how this industrial city grew from humble beginnings.

Understanding Kawasaki's past helps you appreciate its present. The contrast between the historical post town and today's modern industrial city makes for a thought-provoking visit. History buffs often include this on walking tours that cover Kawasaki's development through different eras.

12. Visit Kanayama Shrine

Kanayama Jinja Shrine

For something truly unique, visit Kanayama Shrine near Kawasaki Daishi. This small Shinto shrine is dedicated to fertility and has, well, a very distinctive appearance—it features large phallus statues and symbols throughout the grounds. While it might seem shocking at first, the shrine has deep cultural significance related to fertility, safe childbirth, and protection of the blacksmith trade.

Every spring, the shrine hosts the famous Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus), one of Japan's most unusual festivals. During this event, massive phallus-shaped portable shrines are paraded through the streets, and vendors sell related candy and souvenirs. The festival attracts thousands of visitors from around the world, with proceeds benefiting HIV research.

Even outside festival time, the shrine offers an interesting glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of Japanese spiritual culture. It's located just a short walk from Kawasaki Daishi, making it easy to visit both in one trip. While some visitors might find it amusing, remember that it's a serious religious site with deep meaning for worshippers.