Spectacular Kanagawa is highly accessible from Tokyo and home to some of the country’s most fascinating destinations, from shrines and forests to onsen towns and cosmopolitan cities. It has inspired artisans for centuries, including ukiyoe master Hokusai, whose iconic “Great Wave of Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura)” woodblock print is part of a greater collection called Thirty-Six Views of Mt Fuji. To this day, Kanagawa continues to cultivate a sense of Japan’s heart and soul. 

Here, we introduce a suite of distinctive experiences for an unforgettable visit to Kanagawa. 

CULTURAL THEATRE

The Way of the Sword 
The fascinating samurai culture takes centre stage in this beguiling sword dance performance by the samurai artist troupe Kengishu Kamui. Founded by Tetsuro Shimaguchi – who choreographed the powerful sword fight scenes of Quentin Tarantino’s blockbuster film Kill Bill Vol. 1 – Kengishu Kamui has brought this unique show to some of the world’s art capitals, from the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and the Hermitage in St Petersburg to the Kennedy Centre in New York.

Guests will relish this unique performance in an exclusive setting, the traditional Ryugu Palace, nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Ashi. Operated by the renowned Prince Hotels, the distinctive Ryugu Palace features luxurious tatami suites, exquisite cuisine, and, most impressively, an unparalleled view of Mt Fuji. 

The Taiko Beats
The enchanting beats of Japanese percussion instruments, collectively known as taiko, call to mind the majesty and pageantry of Old Japan. Drumming is an ancient Japanese art, used at many traditional ceremonies and on battlefields. Witness this riveting drum performance and workshop by the award-winning drumming troupe Dako-on. The group has performed around Japan and in many international destinations to much acclaim. 

Guests will be treated to a drumming extravaganza in a private setting at Ryuguden. After the performance, where guests can feel the powerful reverberation of the drums, they may try their hand at taiko drumming under the guidance of Dako-on members, a unique experience that deepens one’s appreciation of Japan’s traditional beats.

ART & CRAFT

The Hakone Art Indulgence
Although Hakone is popular as an onsen town with fabulous viewing spots of Mt Fuji, it’s also home to some of the country’s most engaging museums with acclaimed collections of art –  from painting and sculpture pieces to outdoor installations – by both Japanese and foreign masters. A visit to the Takashi Imazato-designed Narukawa Art Museum, which opened in 1988, elevates one’s appreciation of the region’s art offerings. Guided by none other than the museum’s General Manager, Mr Katsunori Kanagawa, the tour explores Narukawa’s collection of contemporary Japanese paintings and unique painting materials. 

This intimate tour takes guests through the museum’s collection, and ends with tea and conversation at the museum’s Kisetsufu cafe, which offers a stunning view of Lake Ashi and Mt Fuji.

For the Love of Lacquer
Among collectors and connoisseurs, lacquerware made in the city of Odawara is distinctive for its beauty and make, and remains among the most highly prized. Odawara lacquerware, a 500-year-old craft tradition, uses the durable Zelkova wood and celebrates the beauty of the wood grain by keeping it visible beneath the polished lacquer.  

On this tour of the Okawa Woodworking Studio, Hajime Okawa – a member of the craft family’s third generation, and among the very few who hold the title of traditional craftsman – provides guests with a brief history of Odawara lacquerware and takes them on a behind-the-scenes look at the production process. In addition to the guided tour, guests are invited to participate by polishing and creating their own original patterns on lacquerware. Their original creations will later be carefully packed and mailed to their homes by courier, for guests to keep as a special keepsake.

NATURE

Hike Through History
Nothing rejuvenates quite like a hike through a forest of towering cedar trees. With an AT-certified guide from ExploreHakone, a local Hakone specialist, guests will walk part of the 32-kilometre Hakone Hachiri, a stretch of the old historic Tokaido Highway.

The highway, one of five constructed by the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 17th century, was to connect the former imperial capital, Kyoto, with the political and economical centre, then called Edo (present-day Tokyo). The highway was frequented by pilgrims and merchants, as well as feudal lords who travelled in the comfort of a palanquin that was carried by personal guards or footmen. Scenic post towns, where travelling parties rested for the night, mushroomed along the route; although most of them have disappeared, those that remain serve as postcard-perfect relics of Old Japan.

On this tour, which may be customized to various fitness levels, guests also learn of Hakone’s origins as an important lodging area on the old Tokaido Highway. It also provides them with the opportunity to savor Hakone’s cuisine and immerse themselves in the local culture.  The tour includes a stay at a ryokan recommended by the guide.

UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES

Insider Yokohama

Yokohama is one of Japan’s most dynamic and exciting urban destinations. The port city, which today ranks among the world’s largest seaports, was one of the first to open to trade with the West after centuries of national isolation. As international trade picked up pace in the late 1800s, Yokohama became a boomtown, rapidly evolving into a populous cosmopolitan hub. 

Today the city oozes plenty of charm, from the adaptive reuse of Meiji-era red brick warehouses, a bustling Chinatown, and a year-round calendar of international and local festivals. Its storied and spectacular waterfront is lined with elegant luxury hotels, such as the Kahala Resort and Hotel Yokohama. 

On this exclusive tour of Yokohama, a local expert gives guests insider access to the city, personally accompanying them to discover Yokohama’s hidden gems, its best gourmet dining spots, and its most significant landmarks

Accessing Kanagawa

Kanagawa Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, is among the most popular destinations outside of the capital, accessible by train, bus, taxi, or private car. Guests traveling from Tokyo can enjoy stops – overnight or for multiple days if time allows – at Yokohama, Kamakura, and Odawara before arriving at Hakone. 

TOKI are specialists in luxury within Japan, dedicated to providing bespoke travel experiences with a human touch. Founded on the belief that authentic experiences are the truest luxury, TOKI opens doors to the extraordinary, revealing the hidden treasures of Japanese tradition.

TOKI bridges the gap as an all-inclusive company for tailor-made journeys, meetings, and events, accommodation, transportation, custom experiences, negotiations, reservations, and payments.