Looking for a lesser-known getaway near Tokyo? Hiratsuka City (平塚市) is a seaside town located in the southern area of Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県). Facing Sagami Bay (相模湾), the city has many beautiful sceneries surrounded by abundant nature such as the sea, mountains, and seasonal flowers. You can enjoy fresh fish, vegetables, and fruits caught or harvested on the day itself. Located just 1-hour from Tokyo Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line (東海道本線), it is one of the most popular destinations to see Mount Fuji (富士山).
Hiratsuka City is also famous for its Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival (湘南平塚七夕祭) which is one of the biggest Tanabata festivals in Japan. With plenty to see in this picturesque city, here are 5 must-visit sightseeing spots during your trip to Hiratsuka City.
1. Sakitori Shrine
Surrounded by lush zelkova, cherry blossom, and cedar trees, Sakitori Shrine (前鳥神社) is an old shrine that is known to be the home of the God of Learning and Academics, God of Activity and Good Fortune, and God of Fire Protection and Safety. With its rich history, many old artefacts such as pottery, rings, and books have also been discovered here.
When you visit Sakitori Shrine, there is a saying that goes that if you find a pine needle with four leaves, also known as Shiawase no matsu (幸せの松 pine of happiness), it will bring you good luck. You can also purchase their special daruma—that has been offered and prayed to for 6 days in front of the deity—for your family and loved ones.
Sakitori Shrine (前鳥神社)
Address: 4-14-26 Shinomiya, Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa 254-0014
Access: 15-minute bus ride from the north exit of Hiratsuka Station (平塚駅), followed by a 3-minute walk from Sakitori Shrine Bus Stop
2. Hiratsuka Beach
Hiratsuka Beach (平塚海岸) is a 4km long beach with the Shonan Bellmare Hiratsuka Beach Park (湘南ベルマーレひらつかビーチパーク) located in the middle where visitors can enjoy beach sports such as beach volleyball or soccer all year round. This park is also equipped with shops and changing rooms.
On the Hiratsuka Coast, there is the Sunset reflection on Hiratsuka Sand Dunes (平塚砂丘の夕映) which is one of the eight top views of Hiratsuka. You can see Mount Fuji in the background of the television tower of Shonandaira (湘南平), another iconic symbol of Hiratsuka. It makes for the perfect photo spot where you can capture both the sea and Mount Fuji in one photo.
Shonan Bellmare Hiratsuka Beach Park (湘南ベルマーレひらつかビーチパーク)
Address: 33-1 Takahamadai, Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa 254-0807
Access: 20-minute walk from Hiratsuka Station South Exit
3. Hiratsuka Museum of Art
Hiratsuka City is known for being a cultural hub in Kanagawa. Many artists have lived in the Shonan area including Hiratsuka since the Meiji Era. For example, the magazine Shirakaba (白樺), which had a great influence on modern Japanese art and literature, was developed in Kamakura (鎌倉), and Ryusei Kishida, who pursued a new style of oil painting, was developed in Kugenuma (鵠沼). Since then, many artists and writers are still active in the Shonan area.
The Hiratsuka Museum of Art’s (平塚市美術館 Hiratsuka-shi bijutsukan) main theme is “the art and light of Shonan,” and it has a collection of about 13,000 works by artists and artists associated with the Shonan area. In addition to seven exhibitions a year, the museum holds various workshops for people of all ages.
Hiratsuka Museum of Art (平塚市美術館)
Address: 1-3-3 Nishi-yawata, Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa 254-0073
Access: 20-minute walk from Hiratsuka Station East and West Exits
4. Kanagawa Prefectural Center of Flowers and Greenery, Kana Garden
Kana Garden (花菜ガーデン), officially also known as Kanagawa Prefectural Center for Close Contact with Flowers and Greenery (神奈川県立花と緑のふれあいセンター) is a botanical garden located in Hiratsuka City. As the name suggests, this garden has facilities that allow you to experience vegetable harvesting on the weekends from late June to late September. There are also various restaurants and shops you can visit to have a lunch break while enjoying the beautiful, breathtaking view.
One of the main features of Kana Garden is its Rose Garden (バラ園). It boasts one of the largest varieties in the Kanto Region (関東地方), and there are sections divided by types of roses such as mini roses, modern roses, and old roses. There is also the fragrant rose area where visitors can enjoy the luxury of roses’ fragrances like that of perfume. If you would like to see the roses in full bloom, it is best to visit during spring and autumn.
Kana Garden (花菜ガーデン)
Address: 496-1 Teradanawa, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1215
Access: 20-minute bus ride from bus stops No. 8, 71, 74, 75 (for Hadano Station) at the North Exit of Hiratsuka Station. Get off at Hiratsuka Yogogakko-mae Bus Stop, followed by a 5-minute walk to Kana Garden.
5. Komayama Park
Komayama Park (高麗山公園) is located on Shonandaira, a plateau 180m above sea level. It is one of the most popular spots in Hiratsuka City, offering a superb 360º panoramic view of Mount Fuji, Sagami Bay, and nearby mountains, with two large observation decks—one on the TV Tower and the other in the Koraizan Park Rest House. It has received many awards such as one of the best 100-night views in Japan.
In spring, crowds gather to enjoy hanami (花見) when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. It is known as one of the 50 scenic spots in Kanagawa and about 2,000 cherry trees with varieties such as Yoshino cherry tree and Prunus speciosa bloom as early as late March. In addition, at Flat, a restaurant in the park, you can enjoy delicious local seasonal flavours such as fresh fish from Sagami Bay and fresh vegetables sent directly from farmers.
Komayama Park (高麗山公園)
Address: 790 Manda, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 254-0913
Access: 23-minute bus ride from Hiratsuka Station north exit bus stop No. 35 to Shonandaira Bus Stop.
There are plenty more to do in Hiratsuka City that have not been listed here. If you would like to explore more of Kanagawa Prefecture, Hiratsuka City is approximately a 30-minute train ride to the neighbouring tourist destinations of Kamakura and Hakone—making it the perfect hub for your journey in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Header image credit: 平塚市観光協会
