#LetsMET: HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI & HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA

Wondering what else to explore besides Tokyo (東京)? You can always expand your trip to the prefectures surrounding it! Located just south of Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県 Kanagawa-ken) is one of Tokyo’s neighbouring prefectures and is also within the Tokyo Megalopolis Region—also known as theGreater Tokyo Area, which is made up of Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Home to two highly popular day trip destinations from Tokyo, Hakone (箱根) and Kamakura (鎌倉), there is so much more to see and experience in this prefecture.

HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI (left) and HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA (right). (Image credit: JR-EAST HOTELS)

If you are a fan of a quaint coastal city, HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI would be your go-to place! A mere 2-minute walk from JR Kawasaki Station’s West Exit (川崎駅西口 Kawasaki-eki nishiguchi), this hotel is not only close to the station, but also just 21 minutes from Haneda International Airport. On the other hand, if you are more keen in  historical towns, then the HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA would be the right pick for you. This hotel is also a 2-minute walk from JR Kamakura Station’s East Exit (鎌倉駅東⼝ Kamakura-eki higashiguchi)

(Video credit: JRE HOTELS) 

(Video credit: JRE HOTELS) 

Food 

What’s visiting a prefecture without trying their local food? Despite being located in the same prefecture, Kawasaki City and Kamakura offer local delicacies that are unique to their respective towns. Here are two recommended restaurants to try nearby HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI and HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA respectively. With a variety of cuisines to choose from, you will no longer have to think long and hard about what you should eat next, as all these places are so conveniently accessible from the hotels!.

1. Udon Cafe Shigeta (うどんカフェしげた)

(Image credit: うどんカフェしげた)

• Rating: ★★★★⯪
• Cuisines: Beef, pork, chicken, fish, vegetarian
• Suitable for: Couples 
• Distance: 13-minute walk from HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI
• Recommended item: Kama Butter Mentai Udon

A popular cafe amongst the locals, you are sure to experience authentic sanuki udon right in Kawasaki. At night, the cafe is turned into an “Udon Bar” which also offers an alcohol menu alongside creative dishes that are thought of weekly by the owner of the cafe. 

2. Tonkatsu Kappo Koshiba (とんかつ割烹こしば)

(Image credit: とんかつ割烹こしば)

• Rating: ★★★★☆
• Cuisines: Pork, vegetarian
• Suitable for: Families, couples
• Distance: 13-minute walk from HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI
• Recommended item: Pork Loin Set 

Enjoy the richness of Kagoshima Kurobuta pork at Tonkatsu Kappo Koshiba. With its crispy exterior and tenderness of the meat, it is a must-visit when in Kawasaki. In addition to tonkatsu (豚カツ pork cutlet), you can also enjoy other Japanese cuisines and sake.

3. Cafe Guri (カフェ 倶利)

(Image credit: カフェ 倶利)

• Rating: ★★★★☆
• Cuisines: Beef, vegetarian
• Suitable for: Couples
• Distance: 1-minute walk from HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA
• Recommended item: Toki Gozen

At Cafe Guri, enjoy the relaxing cafe atmosphere while dining on local Japanese-style lunch served in exquisite lacquerware. Ingredients used within dishes change based on the seasons, as the seasonal vegetables are grown in Kamakura. 

4. Kamakura Hachinoki (鎌倉鉢の木)

(Image credit: 鎌倉鉢の木)

• Rating: ★★★★★
• Cuisines: Vegetarian
• Suitable for: Couples
• Distance: 27-minute walk from HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA /  3-minute by train followed by a 5-minute walk
• Recommended item: Buddhist Cuisine

What better way to enjoy the zen-ness of Kamakura than to get the chance to experience an authentic vegetarian Japanese Buddhist cuisine, also known as Shojin Ryori (精進料理) at Kamakura Hachinoki. As this cuisine follows the dietary restrictions of Buddhist monks, no animal products are used. 

Attractions

In terms of attractions, both Kawasaki and Kamakura offer different activities that are unique to their respective towns. If you’re considering what to do while staying at either hotel, here are a handful of recommendations you should try out near HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI and HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA respectively. 

1. Haneda Airport (羽田空港)

(Image credit: atmtx / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

• Distance: 20 minutes via the Keikyu Main Line from JR Kawasaki Station + walking

Formerly known as Tokyo International Airport used mainly for domestic flights, this airport has now become a popular point of transit for foreign visitors to Japan. By far the most convenient airport for getting into Tokyo, Haneda Airport also boasts a variety of shops and restaurants to check out. 

2. Shinagawa (品川)

(Image credit: Trevor Dobson / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

• Distance: 10 minutes by JR Keihin–Tōhoku Line from JR Kawasaki Station

Home to one of Tokyo’s busiest stations, Shinagawa Station (品川駅 Shinagawa-eki)　is convenient as a transportation hub with plentiful hotels, offices, restaurants and shops to the area. The station connects many lines, including the Yamanote Line (山手線 Yamanote-sen) and the Tokaido Shinkansen (東海道新幹線), as well as direct train connections to both Haneda and Narita Airports. 

3. Music Night 

(Image credit: JR-EAST HOTELS)

• Distance: Within the hotel—music event at HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI lobby every Friday night

Located just adjacent to the hotel is the internationally-renowned music facility, the Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall. Live music performances can be seen on the streets all around Kawasaki. Not to be outdone is HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI’s very own  live jazz performances in the lobby every Friday evening, so be sure to check it out if you are staying in the hotel! 

4. Trip by Rickshaw

(Image credit: HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA / Facebook)

Explore Kamakura in a unique way—via a rickshaw! Guided by a local guide, discover all the great secret destinations only known to locals as well as all the amazing places to eat. Have a chat with your experienced guide to learn more about the culture and history of Kamakura.

5. Early Morning Walking Around Kamakura

 (Image credit: HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA / Facebook)

Being famous for landmarks such as the Hasedera Temple and the Hachimangu Shrine, sometimes, it is best to explore Kamakura on foot! An early morning walk to enjoy the cool breeze is a refreshing way to kick start your day!

6. Great Buddha

 (Image credit: S.R.G - msucoo93 / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

• Distance: 10-minute bus from HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA

The Great Buddha of Kamakura (鎌倉大仏, Kamakura Daibutsu) is a bronze statue which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. Standing at an impressive 11.4m, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara's Todaiji Temple and some recent creations.

(Image credit: JR-EAST HOTELS)

With plenty to explore and eat during your visit to Kanagawa Prefecture, you can choose to stay at either HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI and HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA based on where you’re visiting and what best fits your itinerary. If you can’t pick, why not stay at both?

HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAWASAKI  (ホテルメトロポリタン 川崎)
Address: 1-5 Omiyacho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 212-0014
Nearest station: JR Kawasaki Station (川崎駅)
No. of rooms: 304
Tel: +81-44-533-1111

HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA  (ホテルメトロポリタン 鎌倉)
Address: 1-8-1, Komachi, Kamakura-city, Kanagawa, 248-0006
Nearest station: JR Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅)
No. of rooms: 138
Tel: +81-467-60-1250

Header image credit: HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA / Facebook

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