湘南(しょうなん)

しょうなん
noun (proper)
Shonan (coastal area of Kanagawa)
geographyproper-nounplace-name
1. Shonan (coastal area of Kanagawa)
The stretch of coast on Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture, around Kamakura, Enoshima, Fujisawa and Chigasaki.
湘南(しょうなん)の海(うみ)だ。
It's the sea at Shonan.
In summer I go surfing at Shonan.
The Enoden line, which runs along the Shonan coast, is popular with tourists.

湘南(しょうなん) is not an administrative unit but a region, and its image is strong: beaches, surfing, summer and a relaxed seaside life near Tokyo.

Common expressions

  • 湘南(しょうなん)の海(うみ): the Shonan sea
  • 湘南(しょうなん)ボーイ: a young man from Shonan (tanned, surfing image)
  • 湘南(しょうなん)ナンバー: a Shonan license plate

Related words

  • 江ノ島(えのしま): Enoshima Island
  • 鎌倉(かまくら): Kamakura
  • 茅ヶ崎(ちがさき): Chigasaki