Nice to meet you!
This is the Yamato City Event and Tourism Association in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture is located in the center of Kanagawa Prefecture and has a population of 243,412 (as of December 2023).
It is an area designated as a "special city" with a population of 200,000 or more.

In this first post, we will introduce various sightseeing spots and event information in Yamato City, as well as other attractions unique to Yamato City!

■■ Tourist information of Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture ■■

◇ Izumi no Mori
It is a vast park with an open area of about 42 hectares (about 9 times the size of Tokyo Dome) that spreads around the Yamato water source.
Due to the trust movement to conserve nature in Kanagawa Prefecture, it has been designated as a "Kanagawa Trust Green Area", and the rich nature in the park is preserved.

In the park, there is a wetland botanical garden, a local folk house garden, a petting campsite (day campsite), a nature observation center, Shirakashi no Ie, and more!
It is also possible to rent cooking and barbecue supplies necessary for the day camp free of charge at the Fureai campsite.

◇Johoji Temple
It is a temple that is close to Izumi no Mori and is also one of the Kannon Sacred Grounds and Sagamihara Sacred Grounds centered on Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture in the Minami-Tama district of Tokyo ~ Kanagawa Prefecture.
In the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the precincts, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring and the autumn leaves in autumn.

◇ Fureai no Mori
Located at opposite ends of the Izumi Forest and the Tomei Expressway, Fureai no Mori is a forest with the theme of water, greenery, and flowers.
In the park, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy the four seasons, such as an herb garden, a rose garden, an orchard (Higashikari green area), and a petting plaza!

◇Kakurinji Temple
Founded in 1569 (Sengoku period), it is a temple of the Pure Land sect.
The large precincts that spread out at the end of the stone steps are one of the attractions. In addition, seasonal nature such as cherry blossoms and azaleas is also a highlight.
Every year in January, the "Daruma Market" is held.

◇Atsugi Air Base
Atsugi Naval Air Station (Atsugi Air Base) is a military airfield of about 507 square meters, straddling the cities of Yamato and Ayase in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Every year in April, the U.S.-Japan Friendship Spring Festival is held, where the base is open to the public, and you can enjoy powerful aircraft displays, American food, and live concerts.

◇ Yamato Yutori Forest
It is a sports and recreational park that is popular with the locals.
The park is divided into a "picnic area" with recreational facilities, a "scenic area" with a lawn and lush greenery, and a "light sports plaza" area with tennis courts.

A barbecue area is located near the tennis courts, where guests can enjoy a barbecue. (*Reservation required)
The "Naughty Plaza" in the picnic area has large complex playground equipment for different ages and is very popular with children!

◇Yamato City Cultural Creation Base Sirius
Born on November 3, 2016 in the east area of Yamato Station, this is a new cultural spot!
It is a facility that combines various attractions such as an arts and culture hall, a well-equipped children's reading room, a music practice studio, and a local resource corner with exhibitions.

■■ Event information in Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture ■■

◇Yamato Citizen Festival
Held in May every year, it is a popular festival visited by many people from inside and outside the city.
There will also be a stage program and participatory and hands-on events, and there will be plenty of highlights!
There will be about 200 different stalls lined up in the venue, and a parade will be held for about 1.2 km.
In 2023, it was held for the first time in four years, and about 90,000 people visited over two days.

◇ Kanagawa Yamato Awa Odori
Kanagawa Yamato Awa Odori, one of the three major Awa Odori dances in the Kanto region, began more than 40 years ago as an event in a local shopping district.

Awa Odori groups (local associations) from all over the country gather to perform over two days, each dressed in colorful costumes, and the sight is spectacular!
It has become a summer tradition in Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and in 2023, about 300,000 people visited the two-day event on July 29 and 30.

On the official website of the Yamato City Event and Tourism Association, the "Yamato Guide Map" is available.
Please check it out!
(If you would like a printed guide map, please visit the Yamato City Event and Tourism Association, which is located on the 2nd floor of the Yamato City Cultural Creation Base Sirius.) ）

We will continue to deliver the charm of Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture, where nature and history coexist!
We would appreciate it if you could use it as a reference for sightseeing.
Thank you for your continued support.