Kanagawa-ku is one of the eighteen wards comprising the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Situated in eastern Kanagawa Prefecture, it lies northeast of the geographic center of Yokohama. The ward serves as a distinct administrative division within the larger metropolitan area, functioning as a regional commercial center and a bedroom community for central Yokohama and Tokyo. Its coastal area forms part of the Keihin Industrial Zone, making it the most industrialized region within Yokohama.

The area originated in the Nara period as part of Tachibana District in Musashi Province. During the Edo period, it prospered as Kanagawa-juku, a post station on the Tokaido connecting Edo with Kyoto. It was the site of the Convention of Kanagawa, which ended Japan’s national isolation policy. Although initially stipulated as a treaty port, settlement occurred in neighboring Yokohama for security reasons. The area became a town in 1889 and was absorbed into Yokohama in 1901, becoming Kanagawa Ward in 1927 after suffering damage from the Great Kanto Earthquake and World War II.

The ward is characterized by its industrial coastal zones and significant transportation infrastructure. Major factories operated by companies such as Nissan, JVC, and Asahi Glass are located here, alongside a Mazda research and development center. Notable local attractions include Hama Wing and Mitsuzawa Stadium. The area also retains historical significance from the Namamugi Incident, which led to the Anglo-Satsuma War, and its role in the early normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the United States during the Bakumatsu period.

Kanagawa-ku hosts educational institutions including Kanagawa University and the Institute of Information Security. The ward is home to international schools such as the Kanagawa Korean Jr./Sr. High School and Yokohama Korean Primary School, reflecting its diverse community. It has produced notable figures in entertainment and sports, including actor Hiroshi Abe, comedian Tetsurō Degawa, and racing driver Akinori Ogata. The area offers a blend of industrial utility and residential life, supported by a network of public schools operated by the Kanagawa Prefectural and Yokohama Municipal Boards of Education.

As of 2020, the ward had a population of 246,116. It is well-connected by rail, with lines from East Japan Railway Company, Keihin Electric Express Railway, and Tokyu Corporation serving stations like Higashi-Kanagawa and Kanagawa. Highways such as Daisan Keihin and Shuto Expressway Route 1 provide additional access. The ward’s economy relies heavily on its industrial base and its role as a commuter hub for the greater Tokyo-Yokohama conurbation, maintaining its status as a vital component of Japan's second-largest city.