10 Must-See Sightseeing Spots Along the Keikyu Line

*This article was sponsored by the Kanto District Transport Bureau, local municipalities, and local railway companies.

About the Keikyu Line

The Keikyu Railway, called “Keikyu” for short, is a railway line that runs a roughly 80-minute route from Sengakuji in Tokyo all the way to Misakiguchi in Kanagawa Prefecture. The line runs through many major business and shopping areas including Shinagawa, Kawasaki, Yokohama, and Haneda Airport, as well as nature-filled residential and leisure areas south of Yokohama such as Yokosuka, Kamakura, Zushi, Hayama, and Miura. Also, thanks to partnerships with other railway companies, the line also connects directly to the Toei Asakusa Line and Keisei Line, providing direct service to major sightseeing spots in Tokyo such as Ginza, Asakusa, and Tokyo Sky Tree, as well as easy access to Narita Airport. It is a very useful line for a variety of customers, from commuters to students and people taking a weekend trip. 

In order to combat the spread of COVID-19, each of the spots introduced in this article follows various thorough safety measures. For details, please see the official site of each facility, or the homepage of the local tourism association.

Kano Jinja: Take the Ferry Across the Bay to Bind Your Love

Kano Jinja is a shrine split into an eastern and western half, with the Uraga Bay in between. The thing that makes this shrine a popular place to visit is its “en-musbi” (love knot) charms. After getting a “magatama” (comma-shaped gemstone) charm from the western shrine, cross the bay and get a sachet from the eastern shrine. The charms are available in crystal, agate, or jade, and the sachets come in blue or pink, so couples could even get charms with two different colors.

The two halves of Kano Jinja are separated by the Uraga Bay, which cuts quite deeply into the shore, so crossing by ferry boat (200 yen for adults, 100 yen for children) is not only more fun but is actually quicker! The distance between the two parts of the shine can be crossed in a quick 3-minute ride, but the idea of binding your love by riding a ferry between two shrines is quite romantic, don’t you think?

Kannonzaki Lighthouse: Watch the Sun Rise Out of the Sea

Kannonzaki Lighthouse is one of only 16 lighthouses in Japan that you can enter and climb. The current lighthouse is the third generation building, but the original lighthouse—built by a French engineer—was the very first Western-style lighthouse in Japan and is where all modern Japanese lighthouses trace their history. The view from the lighthouse stretches all the way across the Tokyo Bay to the Boso Peninsula on the other side.

The lighthouse isn't open during sunrise, but it's still stunning to watch it from ground level! After watching the sunrise, the nearby Kannonzaki Garden and seaside boardwalk promenade are wonderful places to take a morning stroll.

Hayama Sunday Morning Market: Buy Fresh Local Veggies and Seafood

Both locals and people from further away flock to the Hayama Morning Market, where a variety of goods are for sale, from local Hayama vegetables and freshly-caught seafood to fancier items such as exquisite sweets or even French cuisine. The market is incredibly popular and is frequented by many repeat visitors. The official opening time is from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, but various vendors begin opening from around 8:00 am, so it’s not a bad idea to arrive early if you’re thinking of getting something from one of the particularly popular vendors. 

After arriving, we recommend starting by grabbing one of the popular sweets before they’re gone and then having a breakfast of French food or “kaisen-don” (rice bowl topped with sashimi) before leisurely strolling around while shopping for veggies and fresh fish.

Hayama Marina Cruising and Delicious Pudding - Feel the Ocean Breeze!

From Hayama Marina, short 45-minute cruises to Enoshima and back are available on a fancy motor cruiser. There are even plans available that let you enjoy lunch while on the cruise. The large boat is designed for up to 50 passengers and makes for some great photo opportunities!

Upon returning from the cruise, head to the shops, cafes, and restaurants inside the Hayama Marina. A cafe called MARLOWE has a particularly nice harbor-view terrace with beautiful views of the ocean around Hayama. As the cafe is known for their hand-made pudding, you could even take some to go and bring it back as a souvenir for your friends in the city. The glass jars that the puddings are served in feature the face of Philip Marlowe, of the classic hard-boiled detective novels, who is also the shop's namesake.

Morito Shrine: Pray for Love and See a Breathtaking Sunset

Love, a successful birth, and fertility are among the blessings that you can pray for at Morito Shrine, a place we recommend visiting in the evening. Climb up the stairs behind the shrine to find a panoramic view of Sagami Bay. There, standing on a tiny island out in the bay, is a large torii (shrine gate), and beyond that in the distance is the majestic figure of Mt. Fuji. As the sun sets behind Mt. Fuji, the ocean is stained orange. The view is so beautiful that it has its own name, called “Morito no Sekisho” (the evening illumination of Morito). Shrine visitors and cameramen alike line the shore to capture this view first hand.

For those interested in getting a love charm, we recommend the “kai-awase” love charm. This charm features a small seashell wrapped in a cute cloth.

Umanose-Domon (Sea Cave) Mouth at Jogashima: See the Power of Nature!

Jogashima is an island rich with coastal nature that is connected to the southernmost tip of the Miura Peninsula by a bridge. Among the island's beautiful natural sights, the Umanose-Domon (Sea Cave) is the top scenic spot. The large hole in the rock was formed over years and years of erosion as the sea pounded on the rock. This nature-made work of art is a superb place to take a photo. Visitors can access the cave mouth by walking from either the eastern part of the island (where Jogashima Park is) or from the western part of the island (where the Jogashima Lighthouse is), but the trail can be rugged, so proper footwear is a must. There are many critters living along the shore in the area, so it is also a fun place to poke around and check out the marine life.

Tateishi Beach: Enjoy a Very Special Sunset Called "Diamond Fuji"

Tateishi is a large rock formation jutting out of the ocean off of Tateishi Beach in Akiya. The spot has long been famous as a viewpoint with the figure of Mt. Fuji in the distance. The gorgeous sunset can be enjoyed from this point year-round, but it is particularly popular as a place where the so-called “Diamond Fuji” can be viewed. This special sight can be seen on a typical year in mid-April or mid-August only, when the sun sets directly over Mt. Fuji’s summit, sparkling like a diamond as it sinks below the peak.

Mitomi Dyeing Shop: Dye Your Own Mini Traditional Fisherman's Banner!

Mitomi Dyeing Shop was established in 1833 and continues to produce traditional fisherman’s banners, called “tairyo-bata,” to this day. Tairyo-bata are flown to pray for safe voyage and a big catch as well as to celebrate the launching of a new vessel. During the dyeing experience, visitors can try their hand at making a 45 x 60 cm mini-sized tairyo-bata. You can choose from a tuna, sea bream, whale, or swordfish design, all of which are bold and visually appealing! The image of the fish swimming happily on the flag is bound to make you feel happy too.

The dyeing experience lasts about one hour, but the shop needs to do a few steps to get the material ready beforehand, so you have to book at least two days in advance via their website. After you dye the tairyo-bata, the shop needs to complete the finishing, so they will send the final product to you after it is finished (note that there is an additional express mail fee for overseas shipping). 

Semi-Submarine Sightseeing Boat "Rainbow Fish": Watch Fish Swimming Right in Front of You!

The Rainbow Fish is a semi-submarine sightseeing boat that gives riders the chance to come face-to-face with fish swimming in the ocean. The boat will take you out to a spot with lots of fish swimming around, and there you can take in the underwater scenery as the boat cruises leisurely through the water. The voyage lasts about 40 minutes. Unlike an aquarium, this experience gives you the rare chance to see fish up close in their real habitat in the middle of the ocean!

Nearby the Rainbow Fish's docking point is Urari Marché, where Misaki’s famous tuna and freshly-harvested Miura vegetables can be purchased. There are even tuna specialty shops where you can see shockingly gigantic tuna heads, as well as restaurants serving tuna-based dishes. 

Hotel Keikyu Aburatsubo Kanchoso: Enjoy Sweeping Ocean Views from an Outdoor Onsen Bath

Hotel Keikyu Aburatsubo Kanchoso offers delightful amenities, like dinner featuring Misaki’s famous local tuna and open-air hot spring baths with lovely ocean views. It is a hotel, but every room is furnished in traditional Japanese style, and “yukata” (light, casual kimono) can be borrowed, so it is a perfect place for a Japanese-style stay.

Additionally, three beaches are within easy walking distance (5 minutes to Yokobori Beach or Doami Beach and 7 minutes to Araihama Beach), so it is a great place to stay in the summertime. The water at each of the beaches is beautifully clear, and you can even see small fish swimming around. The Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park, an aquarium, is also located nearby, and hotel guests can receive free admission.

So, what do you think? The Miura Peninsula is a fantastic place to enjoy the pleasures of the seaside, from beautiful ocean views, to fishing, to swimming, not to mention delicious tuna and Miura vegetables. Take the Keikyu Line and explore the wonderful things that the Miura Peninsula has in store!

Title Image: PIXTA

If you want to give feedback on any of our articles, you have an idea that you'd really like to see come to life, or you just have a question on Japan, hit us up on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!