Zama (座間市) Travel Guide & City Profile

Last reviewed: October 23, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Zama (座間市, Zama-shi) is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 June 2021, it had an estimated population of 130,667 and a population density of 7,400 persons per km2. The total area is 17.58 square kilometres (6.79 sq mi). The city hosts the United States Army Camp Zama base.

Within Kanagawa Prefecture (Kanto region), Zama (座間市) serves as a city in kanagawa prefecture. Travelers exploring Kanagawa often combine a stop in Zama with regional 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.

Getting to Zama & Getting Around

Via the regional hub (Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station): 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.

• Local rail & IC cards: Once in Kanagawa Prefecture, JR regional lines and local private railways connect Yokohama with Zama. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca) work on major urban and JR commuter gates; for rural branch lines or local buses, keep ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins handy for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station lockers: Main stations in Kanagawa have coin lockers for day-trippers. If you are stopping in Zama en route between larger bases, check your suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker or forward big bags ahead with Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental: While city centers around Zama are accessible by train and taxi, renting a car from a major Shinkansen station or airport in Kanagawa can be rewarding for reaching mountain gorges, coastal viewpoints, and countryside onsen. Read our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Zama & Kanagawa

Zama shares the culinary traditions of Kanagawa Prefecture and the wider Kanto region. Don't miss these local specialties during your visit:

• Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai — a signature specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen — a signature specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls) — a signature specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Odawara kamaboko fish cakes — a signature specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokosuka Kaigun curry — a signature specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture.

For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our Japanese Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards to display clear Japanese dietary explanations at restaurants in Zama.

Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights

Late March–April for cherry blossoms in Kamakura & Yokohama Sankeien; June for Kamakura hydrangeas; October–December for crisp Mt. Fuji views from Hakone & Enoshima.

Regional highlights across Kanagawa Prefecture that pair well with a visit to Zama include: 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 Zama

• Tourist information center (観光案内所): Look for the Kankō Annaijo counter inside or right outside the main train station in Zama (or at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station) for free walking maps, bus timetables, and festival calendars.
• Cash & ATMs: While hotels, chain stores, and convenience stores in Zama accept international cards and IC payment, smaller family-run restaurants, shrines, and rural buses often prefer cash. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign debit cards reliably.
• Dining hours: Outside major metropolitan hubs, lunch typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM, with earlier last orders (around 8:00–9:00 PM) in smaller cities.