Kamakura Guide

Nozomi Fujii Student Contributor, Waseda University

Waseda Contributor Student Contributor, Waseda University

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Waseda chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Known as the “Warrior’s home”, Kamakura is a reflection of the ancient history of Japan. At the same time, it is a fusion of the old and new resulting in a modern yet retro atmosphere. The streets and landmarks remind me of Kyoto- if you are too busy to travel to Kyoto then Kamakura is a nice, closer alternative. Located an hour and thirty minutes from the city by train, it is the best destination for your weekend getaway.

So, here are some places I recommend:

Temples and Shrines

1. Hokoku-ji

This temple is like a “mini-Kyoto” and captures serenity and deep mystery. I like to visit here often as I love the peace of being surrounded by rows of bamboo. Just seeing the faded green of the bamboo will transport you to another deeper mindset. For 500 yen, you can also drink matcha at a small tatami area whilst appreciating the bamboo. Every time I visit here I find myself finding peace and a nice cleanse of all the stress from city life. It is quite a walk from Kamakura station but definitely worth the visit.

2. Tsurugaoka-Hachimangu

Very close from Kamakura station, this is a staple tourist attraction. This beautiful shrine is one of the major shrines in Kamakura with history tracing back to the Kamakura period, and captures the history of the area. While you’re there, why not test your fortune with “hato mikuji”？ One draw costs 200 yen and it comes with your fortune, the “omikuji”, and a little pigeon-shaped keychain which you can bring home as a souvenir. If you take a walk through the shrine, there is a small pond with lotus leaves and koi fish which you can feed. It is very amusing to see that these koi fish are not your average size because they are being fed by hundreds of tourists every day.

CAFES

Now for all you coffee lovers out there…

3. Starbucks Onarimachi store

If you love Starbucks, here is some good news for you. At Kamakura there is a special Starbucks store that is modern and wood-themed. The seats and tables are well coordinated, and have a cool tone to them, which matches the feel of the area. This Starbucks even has a pool (which you cannot swim in) for no apparent reason, but is refreshing to look at. Instead of going to your normal Starbucks, why not visit this one for a change?

4. Shizuku

If Starbucks is too basic for you but you still want to be “trendy”, visit this very homey cafe which offers beautiful latte art. Although the latte is a little pricey, they offer many designs and the best part is that you can also request a drawing (even a photo of your dog!). I was very indecisive when it came to choosing a design, but ended up choosing Stitch as it is one of my favorite characters. The latte is very colorful and aesthetically pleasing so I found myself snapping photos of the latte from many different angles with my poor photography skills. (Yes, that was the best I could do)

Don’t worry if you don’t drink coffee- they also offer latte art on top of non-coffee drinks. So go here to get the latte of your dreams!

Food

Saving the best for last…

5. Hannari Inari

This shop is located in Komachi-dori, a long street lined with food shops, Japanese crafts, and little knick-knacks.

The Shonan area, including Kamakura, is well known for good fish and most popular is the “Shirasu” or whitebait. Like the above, this shop offers a mille-feuille style parfait composed of whitebait, fish roe, tamagoyaki, and white rice topped off with sesame. Take a bite and you will taste the richness of the seafood, and the sprinkle of sesame adding a nice texture to the parfait. Definitely give this a try if you are up for more of the local cuisine. (Komachi-dori offers other take-out, casual food so I recommend taking a stroll and eating along as you go)

6. Brunch Kitchen

Lastly, if you are up for a more Western style brunch, Brunch Kitchen is the place to go. It has a very modern feel, and is one of the many examples of the modern, trendy side of Kamakura. The French toast they offer is tasty and the food and atmosphere is perfect for Sunday brunch with your friends. After lots of walking (which is inevitable at Kamakura) you can take a rest here and enjoy the modern life style of Kamakura.

After you have taken in the best of Kamakura, maybe take a detour with the Enoden line to enjoy the sea landscape from the window of a retro train. One last time, you can appreciate the relaxed lifestyle before you reenter the hectic fast-paced city.

Hope you enjoy your visit and thanks for reading!

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