At a Glance
Welcome to Kawasaki. Rolling hillsides, waterfalls, and other natural splendours abound in this town!
While most famous for the Michinoku Park, Kawasaki has a good amount on offer. There's skiing opportunities in winter, swimming or boating in summer, and all kinds of flowers throughout the year - not just spring! Kawasaki is also unusual in their having four PR characters, unlike the usual one per town. You can see the others here (and download their free stickers). |
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Places to Eat
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Places to Go
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Things to Do
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Kuriya Coffee Roasters
A coffee roaster located right in the heart of Kawasaki. The owner and barista speak English, and are more than willing to strike up a conversation with anyone who walks in. In addition to coffee, they also have different kinds of tea on offer. There's even food on offer now and then! Cybelle Factory Terrace - シベールファクトリーテラス A half cafe-half restaurant, offering both coffe with desserts and fresh soba noodles alongside one another. A nice place to stop in at after visiting Michinoku. Gelato An - ジェラートan A cafe/gelato shop located right next to Michinoku park. They have a rotating selection of different gelato on offer, from sesame to strawberry and everything in between. Be aware the prices are a bit on the expensive side for the amount you get. Blue Coffee - ブルーコーヒー Another independent roaster, this time nestled in the foothills of Mt. Zao near Aone Onsen. A small place, it's quite cozy especially on a crisp autumn day. |
Papi House Kawasaki - ぱぴハウス川崎店
A quite nice pizza restaurant inside of a log cabin in central Kawasaki. The pizzas might be on the small side, but they make up for it in flavour. There's all kinds on offer, from the classic margarita to bacon, and even some Japanese inspired ones! Breads and pastas are also available here. Pizza Forest - 森のピザ工房ルヴォワール 川崎町本店 Famous both regionally and in the wider area, this pizzeria is located within a former schoolhouse! While that alone might be a bit of a gimmick, the pizzas on offer are anything but. The most recommended is the cheese and honey; while it sounds odd, the combination is quite nice indeed. |
Sakou Shokudou - 佐幸精肉食堂
A fairly famous soba/tonkatsu restaurant in central Kawasaki. Masaruo Shokujidokoro - まさるお食事処 A soba restaurant with friendly staff and quite delectable dishes. The fresh tomato dishes are a go-to and then some! Shina Sobaya - 支那そば家 While the name is...less than ideal, this restaurant truly lives up to the "old fashioned" sentimentality. Stepping inside is much akin to stepping through a time portal to the mid 60s. Even the menu looks like it never changed! Still, the food on offer is quite decent if not expensive. Kawadotei - 川音停 A soba restaurant in the Zao foothills. They include wild vegetables with their soba dishes, so it's well worth a stop! |
Tonkatsu Komakusa - とんかつ駒草
A tonkatsu restaurant in Kawasaki doing it right. Excellent sizes, fresh flavours, and prices which can't be beat! Mishima Drive-In - 三嶋屋ドライブイン A nice enough teishoku restaurant located next to Michinoku Park. If you don't feel like paying for the food inside the park, or don't feel like eating in the park, then here's a good spot to go. The flavours aren't anything special, but it is filling. Farmer's Table Mano A restaurant featuring all-local fare, including the meats! The owner runs his own farm, and all the dishes are made with vegetables grown there, and animals which were raised there. Lapland Restaurant - ラップランドレストラン Located towards the heart of the mountains and forests, this log cabin restaurant features wild vegetables in its dishes. The curries on offer are excellent! |
Michinoku Park - みちのく公園
The main attraction in Kawasaki! Featuring all kinds of flowers blooming throughout the year, it's always popular. Paddle boats are on rental, and various crafting sessions are always ongoing. In winter, various lightups are held here. The park also features a few restaurants inside, and has a small museum section of sorts showcasing different house styles from around Tohoku and the lives of those who once called them home. |
Aone Onsen - 青根温泉
An onsen town located quite high up on the Mt. Zao complex. Founded in the 12th century, the area is full of different onsen offering the chance to go onsen hopping should you desire. There are also a few viewpoints allowing you to see over the countryside and even to the Pacific Ocean on a clear day! |
Daily Dairy Products
Wanting some handmade cheese, yoghurt, or other dairy products? This place has you covered and thensome! Ire! Hasekura Kingdom - イーレ!はせくら王国 Still missing being in a school even on the weekend? Here's the place to fulfill your paining! This former school contains a cafe/restaurant, store, and even a winery inside. The shop even features its own chocolate in addition to goods from throughout Tohoku and the local community. Various events are also held here throughout the year. |
Sennin Otaki - 仙人大滝
An stunning waterfall located deep in the forests of Sasaya Pass. The trail isn't marked, nor is there much parking, but should you attempt the hike, you'll be rewarded with a waterfall passing through a perfect ninety degree cut in the cliffside, flowing down into a pool ringed with green moss. |
Sasaya Pass - 笹谷峠
While one of the more dangerous passes in the prefecture, there's plenty of hiking trails scattered along the road. At the top of the pass there's a trail which runs along the mountain ridges. It's a popular area on weekends with lots of people coming from the surrounding area to go and hike. |