
Kanagawa Prefecture, which is blessed with rich nature while being at a close distance from Tokyo, and has many unique towns, such as Yokohama, the ancient capital of Kamakura, and Hakone, which is famous as a hot spring resort. "Kanagawa's 100 Specialties" is a selection of attractive products created by the Kanagawa prefecture's climate and tradition. This article introduces the variety of crafts, processed foods, and agricultural and water products in Kanagawa Prefecture by genre.
What is "Kanagawa's 100 Specialties"?
"Kanagawa's 100 Specialties" was launched with the aim of promoting tourism in and out of the prefecture widely as an element of the attraction of tourism in Kanagawa Prefecture and contributing to the promotion of tourism. In the genres of "processed food", "agricultural, forestry and fisheries", and "craft", products and operators cultivated in the traditions and climate of Kanagawa Prefecture receive recommendations from the citizens of the prefecture, and from them, Kanagawa Prefecture makes the selection of "100 selections". It was selected for the first time in fiscal 1985, and re-elected in fiscal 2006. At the time of re-election, we have added new attractive gems that are also aware of inbound and local gourmet that are popular in the area. As a tourism resource that transmits the charm of Kanagawa, it is to publicize widely.
Genre I: Let's know the special features of "Kanagawa's processed foods"

There are 56 types of processed foods that have been selected as the "Kanagawa's 100 Specialties". Some of the processed foods selected are registered with the "Kanagawa brand." it has a range of things, from nationally known to hidden gems. The following is introduced as an example.
Odawara's Kamaboko/Chikuwa
Kamaboko and chikuwa, also famous as a souvenir of the castle town of Odawara, have a taste of the tradition using seafood from the port of Odawara, which has long been proud of abundant frying. The elastic and gentle texture is attractive, and the oden that makes the most of it has also been selected as the "Kanagawa's 100 Specialties".
Yokohama shumaiShoo-mai
Yokohama Chinatown and Shumai, known as Yokohama specialty, have different formulas and tastes in different shops, and it's a real pleasure to find something you like. From famous shops to small famous shops in the back of the alley, try to find a gem backed by certain technology.
A wide variety of local sweets
Kanagawa Prefecture is home to a wide variety of famous sweets, from Japanese to Western confections. Known as "Hato Sable" and "Kurumikko" from the ancient capital of Kamakura, "Kanroume" and "Uiro" from Odawara, "Onsen Manju" and "Kibimochi" from Yugawara, famous for its hot springs, as well as Chinese sweets from Yokohama. "Nama Chocolate," which is now produced all over the country, originated in Hiratsuka. Enjoy the unique flavors of each city.
Variety of craft beer and local liquor
Kanagawa Prefecture is dotted with beer breweries in various places, including Yokohama and Kawasaki, Atsugi, and Yokosuka, where craft beers with a rich variety of personalities from each manufacturer are produced and sold. There are many beers that incorporate seasonal fruits and so on, and you never get bored whenever you visit. In addition, there are 13 sake breweries in the prefecture, where you can enjoy the tradition and formality of using abundant underground water from the Tanzawa Mountains for water.
There's more! Processed foods unique to Kanagawa Prefecture

Surrounded by sea and mountains, Kanagawa Prefecture is a treasure trove of processed foods made with seafood, livestock, and agricultural products. The prefecture offers a wide variety of products, including "Toroman" (a type of tuna) made with Misaki tuna, dried fish and wakame seaweed from Sagami Bay, Shonan's famous dried whitebait, and "Mago Chazuke" (rice with tea leaves) from Manazuru, a fishing town. Livestock products include Kamakura ham and processed "Koza pork," a brand of pork. Agricultural products include Iwai sesame oil, pickles, karabuki tsukudani (simmered porridge), and peanuts, all made using traditional methods. Hidden specialties include soba noodles from Hadano, the prefecture's largest soba producer, and Oyama tofu, made with renowned water.
Genre II: Let's know the special features of "Kanagawa Prefecture's agricultural, forestry and fisheries"

Surrounded by rich seas and mountains, Kanagawa Prefecture is also famous for producing high-quality agricultural, forestry and fisheries. In all, some of the food items, which number 33 items, are also included in the "Kanagawa brand" as are processed foods.
Agriculture
Miura, with its vast fields, produces an abundance of agricultural products such as daikon radishes, watermelons, and cabbages. Yokosuka produces melons and pumpkins, while Odawara produces plums, and there are also local specialties such as the citrus fruit "Shonan Gold." Other fruits such as strawberries and pears, as well as vegetables such as tomatoes and purple onions called "Shonan Red," are also produced in abundance and are highly valued both locally and in the greater Tokyo area.
Fisheries
In addition to seafood such as Miura's nationally renowned tuna, Matsuwa mackerel known as golden mackerel, and raw whitebait from Shonan, you can also catch river and lake fish such as smelt from Lake Ashi and sweetfish from the Sagami River. Yokohama, which doesn't have much of a seafood image, is famous for its conger eel, while Shonan's Sashima is famous for its local octopus. Be sure to try a variety of other seafood products, including horse mackerel from Sagami Bay and turban shells and abalone from the Miura Peninsula.
Livestock products

The specialty of Kanagawa Prefecture is that the production of livestock products such as beef and pork is also abundant; various livestock products are made.
Beef
In addition to the hidden gems of "Hayama Beef" and "Soshu Beef," there are also "Ashigara Beef," which is raised on Ashigara tea, and "Yokohama Beef," which is raised in Yokohama and Hiratsuka.
Pork and other
"Yamayuri Pork," produced in Yokohama and Sagamihara, is renowned for its high-quality meat. In addition to "Koza Pork," which originates from a medium-sized breed, "Atsugi Pork," which is produced by a livestock company in Atsugi City from breeding to processing and sales, is popular for its rich, sweet marbled meat. Aikawa Town's chicken eggs are also famous.
Genre 3: Let's know the special features of "Kanagawa Crafts"

Kanagawa Prefecture has traditional handicrafts, including Kamakura carving, as well as contemporary handicrafts, and 11 items have been selected for the "Kanagawa's 100 Specialties". Crafts that breathe the history of each region in the prefecture are perfect for a lifetime of souvenirs.
Traditional Crafts
Many traditional crafts with a long history have a strong regional flavor. The castle town of Odawara is home to Odawara lanterns, which were used when crossing the Hakone mountains; Odawara lacquerware, which dates back to the Muromachi period; and Odawara craft castings, which use a copper-based alloy called "sunabari." Other examples include Kamakura carving, which was influenced by Chinese crafts from the Kamakura period; Hakone marquetry, which features beautiful geometric patterns created by combining natural wood; Soshu daruma dolls, known as good luck charms from Hiratsuka; Misaki's fishing flags, which date back to the Edo period; and Oyama spinning tops, which showcase the skills of artisans.
Other Crafts

In addition to traditional crafts, modern items have also been selected as Kanagawa Prefecture's specialty products. For example, the Sukajan jacket, which originated on Yokosuka's Dobuita Street, is popular for its beautiful embroidery reminiscent of Japanese patterns such as tigers and dragons. Other examples include Yokohama scarves, which are renowned for their world-class hand-printing techniques and careful sewing, and Shonan Shippo ware, which is a traditional craft that has been given a modern twist and turned into beautiful accessories.



