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City in Kantō, Japan
Photo: (WT-en) Jpatokal at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
川崎大師, officially Heikenji 平間寺
A large temple dedicated to famed monk and scholar Kobo Daishi (see Mt. Koya). Featuring an 8-sided, 5-storied pagoda and more large temple buildings than you can shake a stick at, Kawasaki Daishi is a textbook example of a Japanese temple and remarkable primarily for the fact that on a weekday you can pretty much have the place to yourself. Easily reached on foot from Kawasaki Daishi station, a 10-minute stroll through a shopping arcade. Being one of the largest temples in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, this place is phenomenally popular as a place for locals to pray in the New Year at midnight.
若宮八幡宮
A quiet Shinto shrine that would be indistinguishable from your average neighborhood shrine if not for one thing: this happens to be one of Japan's few remaining fertility shrines, and the deity venerated here assumes the form of a meter-long iron phallus, known as Kanamara-sama (金まら様, lit. "Iron Big Penis Lord"). There are a number of stories behind this, and while the most entertaining one is certainly the official legend (see box), the more likely explanation seems that prostitutes from nearby brothels — still a large industry in Kawasaki — used to pray here for protection. To get to the shrine, take the only exit from Kawasaki Daishi station, cross the intersection and follow the road that branches off second from the right. There is a hospital on the corner visible from the station, and the shrine is just beyond it. It inexplicably shares its grounds with a kindergarten. Definitely best visited during festival time (see Do).
日本民家園 (Nihon Minka-En)
The large grounds display over twenty traditional Japanese houses (and the gate of Nagoya castle), dating from the late 17th to early 20th century and transplanted from around the country. Rarely crowded. See website for free English guided tour (reservation needed).
川崎競馬場
One of the most accessible racecourses in Japan. Meeting on weekdays, including night races (March to December). Has a modest English website.
Jackie Gyoza
A sister restaurant of Gyoza Mania, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. They specialize in a gyoza-stuffed chicken wing.
Part of the HUB chain of British-style pubs. Picture menus with some English descriptions are available. Happy Hour specials every day from opening time until 19:00.
東横イン
The popular no-frills Toyoko Inn chain maintains three locations within walking distance of the Kawasaki train stations. Toyoko Inn Club members can check in from 15:00.
川崎駅前砂子
川崎駅前市役所通
JR川崎駅前
ホテルメッツ川崎
You will be hard-pressed to find a hotel that is closer to a station on the Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Yokohama stations. Free broadband internet and breakfast (both Western and Japanese style available). Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass holders receive a discount.
川崎日航ホテル
Part of the prestigious Nikko chain of hotels. This means, be prepared to pay.
By train
JR Kawasaki station is on the Tokaido Main Line from Tokyo. Trains on both the Tokaido Line and the Keihin-Tohoku Line stop here.
By car
Two major roads run through central Kawasaki Ward on either side of the Kawasaki train stations: To the east of the trains is Route 15, also called Dai-ichi Keihin (第一京浜) while to the west of the…
By car
You really don't need a car to travel in Kawasaki, especially since trains make it easy to get in and get around.
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