Kanagawa Prefectural Road and Tokyo Metropolitan Road Route 137

Kanagawa Prefectural Road and Tokyo Metropolitan Road Route 137 is a major transportation artery connecting Tokyo’s urban areas with cities in Kanagawa Prefecture. It stretches approximately 10 to 15 kilometers, linking Setagaya and Meguro in Tokyo with Kawasaki City in Kanagawa, and passing through urban, industrial, and commercial districts.

The route serves commuters and logistics as well as travelers. It supports cars, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians, and connects with major roads including National Route 246 and the Tomei Expressway. It also provides access to destinations such as Yokohama and Hakone (Japan Experience, Japan Guide).

Route 137 is close to the Tokyu Den-en-toshi and JR Nambu train lines. Its urban segments have dedicated bike lanes and wide sidewalks, and the route has multilingual signage (Japan Experience). It is also described as a cultural corridor linking Kamakura’s historical sites with Yokohama’s international heritage.

History

Route 137 is associated with the historical legacy of the Tokaido, the Edo-period route that carried people and goods between Edo—now Tokyo—and Kyoto (Japan Experience). As Japan modernized from the Meiji era onward, the route was upgraded to accommodate urbanization and increasing vehicle traffic.

The road is managed jointly by Kanagawa Prefecture and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It passes near historic sites including the seat of the Kamakura shogunate and Yokohama’s international port, associated with events such as Commodore Perry’s arrival in 1853 (Japan Experience).

Postwar development brought improvements to road width and surfacing, along with integration with expressways. Current infrastructure includes traffic-management systems and provisions for multiple modes of transport. Improvements also prioritize noise reduction, green spaces, and smart traffic systems (Japan Guide).

What to see

Along the route

• Kawasaki Daishi (Heiken-ji) A major Buddhist temple known for New Year’s festivities and its shopping streets.
• Tamagawa River Riverside paths for walking and cycling.
• Futako-Tamagawa Rise A modern shopping and entertainment complex (Live Japan).
• Kawasaki The city’s industrial and commercial areas include factory tour experiences (Japan Experience).

Yokohama attractions

• Minato Mirai 21 Shopping is open 10:00 AM–9:00 PM, with free entry. The Landmark Tower observation deck costs approximately ¥1,000 (Japambience).
• Yokohama Chinatown 10:00 AM–8:00 PM.
• Cup Noodles Museum 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; closed Tuesdays. Adults ¥500, children ¥300.
• Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse 11:00 AM–8:00 PM; free entry.
• Yokohama Ramen Museum 11:00 AM–9:00 PM; admission ¥310.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, or “Aka-Renga Soko,” is a historic waterfront landmark. Built as customs warehouses in 1911–1913, the buildings supported Japan’s international trade. They were preserved and repurposed in 2002 and now house a shopping and cultural complex.

• Hours 11:00 AM–8:00 PM daily; some shops and restaurants have different hours.
• Admission Free. Special events and exhibitions may charge ¥500–¥1,500.
• Guided tours Available on weekends; advance booking is recommended.
• Getting there JR Negishi Line to Sakuragicho Station, a 15-minute walk; Minatomirai Line to Bashamichi Station, a 7-minute walk; or Yokohama Subway to Kannai Station, a 10-minute walk. Multiple bus routes run from Yokohama Station and Motomachi-Chukagai. Paid parking is available, but public transport is recommended.
• Amenities and access Wheelchair accessible, with elevators, accessible restrooms, and free Wi-Fi.
• Events The warehouse hosts an annual Christmas Market, Oktoberfest, and jazz festivals. Check the official site for the event calendar.
• Photography The waterfront plaza offers panoramic views; the best light is in the early morning or evening.

Kamakura

• Great Buddha 8:00 AM–5:30 PM; ¥300.
• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine 5:00 AM–8:30 PM.
• Meigetsu-in Best visited in June; ¥300.
• Zuisenji Temple 9:00 AM–4:30 PM; ¥300.

Hakone

• Open-Air Museum 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; ¥1,600.
• Hakone Ropeway 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; one-way ¥1,000, round-trip ¥1,800.
• Onsen Day passes vary; check individual onsen policies.
• Venetian Glass Museum 9:00 AM–5:30 PM; ¥1,300.

Enoshima and Shonan Coast

• Enoshima Shrine 8:30 AM–5:00 PM.
• Sea Candle 9:00 AM–8:00 PM; ¥500.
• Shonan Coastline Outdoor activities are available year-round.

Miura Peninsula

• Zushi and Hayama beaches Best visited in summer.
• Jogashima Island Ferries and hiking trails; open year-round.
• Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival Held in early spring.

Food, crafts, and seasonal events

Local specialties include Hayama beef and Sagami Bay seafood. Artisanal workshops include pottery and tea ceremony.

Seasonal events and sights include the Kanagawa Shimbun Fireworks Festival in July, the Yokohama Port Festival in June, autumn foliage in October–November, and winter illuminations from December–February.

Practical visiting information

Route 137 is a public road, open 24/7, and the route itself is free. Some expressways have tolls. Parking is available near major attractions but can be limited during peak periods.

Expect congestion during weekday rush hours, 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:00–7:30 PM. The route’s infrastructure includes traffic cameras, police patrols, emergency call boxes, and convenience stores for travelers (Japan Experience). The urban segments are wheelchair-friendly.

Travel tips, safety, and etiquette

• Transport and accessibility The area is well connected by train and bus, and discount passes are available. Most major sites are wheelchair-friendly.
• Road safety Pedestrians and cyclists should use sidewalks and crossings, keep left, and obey signals (Go Tokyo). Drivers should follow left-side traffic, observe the 40 km/h speed limit, and avoid illegal parking.
• Emergency help Dial 110 for police or 119 for fire or ambulance. Emergency call boxes and police boxes (koban) are widely available (Nomadic Matt).
• Timing For a smoother trip, travel during off-peak times or on weekends, avoiding festival days (Japan Experience).
• Public etiquette Queue at crossings and bus stops, silence phones, avoid loud conversations, and respect priority seating and women-only train cars. Do not eat while walking in public (Klook, Time Out Tokyo).
• Payments Cash is widely used; use trays for payment. Tipping is not customary.
• Local customs Bow as a greeting, use polite phrases, follow cultural rules when using chopsticks, and carry trash until you find proper bins. Sort waste appropriately.
• Personal safety Japan is generally safe, but remain cautious in crowded areas. Note evacuation routes in case of natural disasters. After dark, stick to well-lit streets and use official transport (Nomadic Matt).
• Respect for the community Ask permission before photographing people, keep noise down—especially in residential areas—and support local businesses. Use basic Japanese greetings (Tokyo Tokyo).
• Religious sites Respect local customs and etiquette when visiting them.
• Updates The Audiala app is suggested as a resource for real-time updates.

Nearby places

Route 137 provides access to Yokohama, Kamakura, Hakone, Enoshima and the Shonan Coast, and the Miura Peninsula. Connecting roads and trains provide access to Yokohama attractions including Chinatown and Minato Mirai, as well as other destinations (Japan Guide).