Things to Do in Aikawa (愛川町), Kanagawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Aikawa (愛川町) in Kanagawa Prefecture (Kanto, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Tanzawa Ōyama Kokutei Park (丹沢大山国定公園), Yokohama Dōbutsu no Mori Park (横浜動物の森公園), Yokohamashi Jidō Yūenchi (横浜市児童遊園地) and served by Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km) via the regional hub at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station. Set at 89 m elevation (35.5288°N, 139.2991°E), Aikawa offers travelers a base for sampling regional Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai, Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen, Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls) cuisine and exploring neighboring Sagamihara (相模原市) (7.4 km), Kiyokawa (清川村) (7.9 km), Zama (座間市) (10.4 km), Atsugi (厚木市) (12.3 km).

Set across coastal plains and river valleys at 89 m elevation in Kanagawa Prefecture, Aikawa is anchored by local landmarks including Tanzawa Ōyama Kokutei Park (丹沢大山国定公園), Yokohama Dōbutsu no Mori Park (横浜動物の森公園), Yokohamashi Jidō Yūenchi (横浜市児童遊園地) and connects to neighboring Sagamihara, Kiyokawa, Zama via Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km). Within Kanagawa Prefecture, Aikawa (愛川町) serves as a town (町) in kanagawa prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Yokohama Minato Mirai & Chinatown, ancient temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima Island, Odawara Castle, and Hakone hot springs overlooking Mt. Fuji.

What to See & Do in Aikawa (愛川町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Aikawa (愛川町) from Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km) at 89 m elevation (35.5288°N, 139.2991°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Aikawa):

• Tanzawa Ōyama Kokutei Park (丹沢大山国定公園) — local sightseeing landmark near Aikawa (愛川町).
• Yokohama Dōbutsu no Mori Park (横浜動物の森公園) — local sightseeing landmark near Aikawa (愛川町).
• Yokohamashi Jidō Yūenchi (横浜市児童遊園地) — local sightseeing landmark near Aikawa (愛川町).
• Meijinomori-Takao-kokutei Park — local sightseeing landmark near Aikawa (愛川町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Aikawa: Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km) (connecting to Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Aikawa

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Aikawa (愛川町) and Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kanagawa Prefecture and Kanto:

• Sagamihara (相模原市) — 7.4 km from Aikawa (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Kiyokawa (清川村) — 7.9 km from Aikawa (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Zama (座間市) — 10.4 km from Aikawa (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Atsugi (厚木市) — 12.3 km from Aikawa (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Ebina (海老名市) — 12.4 km from Aikawa (Kanagawa Prefecture)

Getting to Aikawa & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Aikawa (愛川町) via Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km): 25–30m from Tokyo Station to Yokohama or Kawasaki on JR lines; 35m to Odawara on the Tokaido Shinkansen; 55m to Kamakura on the JR Yokosuka Line. From Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km) to reach central Aikawa (35.5288°N, 139.2991°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Yokohama with Aikawa (愛川町) and neighboring Sagamihara, Kiyokawa, Zama. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Aikawa, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Aikawa between Yokohama and Sagamihara can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Aikawa: While Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km) anchors public transit for Aikawa, picking up a rental car at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station makes it easy to link Tanzawa Ōyama Kokutei Park (丹沢大山国定公園) and Yokohama Dōbutsu no Mori Park (横浜動物の森公園) with nearby Sagamihara (相模原市) (7.4 km), Kiyokawa (清川村) (7.9 km), Zama (座間市) (10.4 km), Atsugi (厚木市) (12.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Aikawa (愛川町) & Kanagawa

Dining near Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km) and across Aikawa (愛川町) highlights the regional food culture of Kanagawa Prefecture and Kanto. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Aikawa:

• Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai — regional specialty enjoyed across Aikawa (愛川町) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Aikawa (愛川町) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Aikawa (愛川町) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Odawara kamaboko fish cakes — regional specialty enjoyed across Aikawa (愛川町) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokosuka Kaigun curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Aikawa (愛川町) and Kanagawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Aikawa (愛川町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km).

Where to Stay in Aikawa (愛川町)

Visitors staying overnight in Aikawa (愛川町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km), or base at major rail hubs in Yokohama (Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station) or neighboring Sagamihara, Kiyokawa, Zama for quick train access into Aikawa. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Aikawa & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Aikawa (愛川町, 89 m elevation at 35.5288°N, 139.2991°E): Late March–April for cherry blossoms in Kamakura & Yokohama Sankeien; June for Kamakura hydrangeas; October–December for crisp Mt. Fuji views from Hakone & Enoshima.

Wider sightseeing across Kanagawa Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Tanzawa Ōyama Kokutei Park (丹沢大山国定公園) in Aikawa (愛川町) includes: Yokohama Minato Mirai & Chinatown, ancient temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima Island, Odawara Castle, and Hakone hot springs overlooking Mt. Fuji.

Practical Travel Tips for Aikawa (愛川町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Aikawa: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station or Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km) for local bus schedules to Tanzawa Ōyama Kokutei Park (丹沢大山国定公園) and walking maps of Aikawa (愛川町).
• Cash & ATMs in Aikawa: Convenience stores and major hotels around Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Tanzawa Ōyama Kokutei Park (丹沢大山国定公園) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Aikawa accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Aikawa: Around Banda Station (番田駅) (6.1 km) and neighboring Sagamihara, Kiyokawa, Zama, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.