Kamakura and Enoshima, just an hour from Tokyo, are perfect day-trip destinations for sightseeing.
With temples adorned with beautiful hydrangeas and lotus flowers, as well as off-the-beaten-path cafes and restaurants, they offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, making them ideal for a relaxed girls’ trip. These serene and atmospheric spots are also perfect for dates.
In this article, we introduce a sightseeing model course that explores three areas: ‘Healing with Hydrangeas and Knick-Knacks in North Kamakura’, ‘Experiencing the Old Capital Ambience in Central Kamakura’, and ‘Enjoying the Refreshing Sea Breeze and Sunset’!
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Healing with Hydrangeas and Knick-Knacks in North Kamakura
North Kamakura Station, one stop before JR Kamakura Station, is often bypassed by express trains, so few people may have disembarked there. However, the North Kamakura area, surrounded by mountains, is home to lesser-known tourist spots and shops known mostly to those in the know.
Meigetsu-in Temple
Meigetsu-in is famous as Kamakura’s ‘Hydrangea Temple.‘ From early to late June, its garden, vividly colored in Meigetsu-in blue, attracts many tourists every year.
Of course, Meigetsu-in adorned with bright blue hydrangeas is lovely, but the temple in other seasons is less crowded, allowing visitors to enjoy the serene atmosphere of a quiet temple.
The window in the main hall of Meigetsu-in is known as the ‘Window of Enlightenment.’ Gazing through it, one feels as if their mind is cleared and their spine straightens.
Walking through the garden and searching for the rabbit statues within the temple grounds is also an enjoyable experience.
Address: 189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: About 8 minutes on foot from JR Yokosuka Line ‘Kitakamakura Station’
About 3 minutes walk from Meigetsu-in towards Kitakamakura Station, you will find ‘Charyo-Fuka.’
Here, you can enjoy cute rabbit-shaped manju sweets with matcha. After visiting Meigetsu-in, spending time in this tea house with a relaxed atmosphere and engaging in lively conversations is also a great idea.
Address: 291 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City
Phone number: 0467-25-5112
Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (L.O. 5:00 PM)
Closed: Wednesday
Parking: Not available
Continuing towards Kitakamakura Station from Charyo-Fuka, you will see a Western-style house. This building is the ‘Yoshitomo Nara Art Museum.’
It displays the art works of the famous picture book author Yoshitomo Nara. You can enjoy warm paintings in a fresh atmosphere. The museum, which hosts several unique exhibitions a year, also has an enjoyable museum shop.
Address: 318-4 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 0467-24-4860
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed: Open all year round
Parking: None available
Admission Fee: Adults 600 yen, Children 300 yen
Crossing the Railroad Tracks to Explore Knick-Knack Shops
After leaving Meigetsu-in and crossing the railroad tracks, you will come upon a street lined with unique knick-knack shops.
‘GM.. Goma Futatsubu‘ specializes in warm, handmade dishes and handcrafted accessories.
The accessories and pottery made by artisans are unique items that can only be found here. You’ll experience a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with accessories and pottery crafted by hand. Each year in June, they host a ‘Hydrangea Exhibition’ featuring hydrangea-themed works, along with other irregularly scheduled thematic exhibitions.
Address: 1386 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 0467-25-1156
Hours: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and irregularly
Parking: None available
Across the road from ‘GM.. Goma Futatsu Tsubu’ is a knick-knack shop named ‘Konroran.’
This shop deals in goods purchased from various countries around the world. There are many items from Central European countries like the Czech Republic, Poland, and the Baltic States, which are not very familiar to Japanese people.
European checks and fabric products (like stoles) from India and Bangladesh are also cute. It’s fun to share and enjoy finding favorite knick-knacks with friends.
Address: 1st Floor, 374 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 0467-50-0301
Hours: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM (11:00 AM onwards on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Closed: Irregularly (announcements made on Konroran’s official SNS)
Parking: None available
About a 5-minute walk from ‘Konroran’ towards Jomyoji, there is a French pastry shop named ‘Citron,’ which is open only on Fridays.
Popular items include the lemon-flavored tart cake ‘Citron’ and baked goods made using traditional French methods. These baked goods are also perfect as souvenirs.
Address: 173-1 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City
Phone Number: 0467-84-7186
Hours: Fridays 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (subject to change depending on circumstances)
Parking: None available
Experiencing the Old Capital’s Ambiance in Central Kamakura
From the North Kamakura area, it’s just one station away on the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station, which brings you to the central area of Kamakura. The central part of Kamakura Station, including Wakamiya Oji and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, has places where you can feel the atmosphere of the ancient capital, Kamakura, as well as lively areas like Komachi Street.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, a symbol of Kamakura, was established by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate. Its large torii gate, visible from Wakamiya Oji, is a landmark.
The shrine grounds have many attractions besides the main hall.
The beautifully decorated red lower hall in front of the main hall is known as the ‘Maiden.’
It is said to be the place where Shizuka Gozen, favored by Minamoto no Yoshitsune, performed dances in memory of Yoshitsune. Nowadays, dances are performed here during various events, including the ‘Kamakura Festival’ every April.
The pond over which the Taiko Bridge at the entrance to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is laid is named ‘Genji Pond’ on the right and ‘Heike Pond’ on the left. Collectively called ‘Genpei Pond,’ these ponds bloom with red and white lotuses every summer, reminiscent of the Genpei War over 1,000 years ago, with white lotuses representing the Heike clan’s flag and red lotuses for the Genji clan’s flag.
After praying at the main hall, why not try drawing a ‘Pigeon fortune slip’? These fortune slips are unique to Hachimangu, a shrine dedicated to the deity of martial fortune. Each pigeon fortune slip comes with a pigeon strap, and seeing the strap in daily life can remind you of the shrine’s divine message. There are seven different colors, each enhancing a different type of luck.
Besides what we’ve introduced, the shrine has many other attractions that convey the history and culture of Kamakura, like the ‘Kamakura Bunkakan Tsurugaoka Museum’ and the ‘Shirahata Shrine,’ where Minamoto no Yoritomo is enshrined. Be sure to visit when you’re in Kamakura.
Address: 2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 10 minutes on foot from ‘JR Kamakura Station’ and ‘Enoden Kamakura Station’
Try Kamakura Hamburgers for Lunch!
Located about 4 minutes east of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is ‘Yuki no Chaya,’ a famous Kamakura Hamburg steak restaurant. It has a calm atmosphere characteristic of Kamakura, making it perfect for girls’ gatherings or dates. The main dish is a richly meaty Kuroge Wagyu beef hamburger steak. At the entrance, there’s also a showcase of cakes and tarts. Enjoying a cake topped with seasonal fruits for dessert is also a great idea.
As it’s on the opposite side of Komachi Street, it’s less crowded with tourists, making it a relaxing spot to enjoy your meal. Since it’s located close to Kamakura Hachimangu, do visit for a delicious hamburger steak or cake.
Address: 4-2-23 Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 0467-23-9697
Hours: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Closed: Wednesday afternoons
Parking: Available (limited space)
After enjoying a hamburger at Yuki no Chaya, if you have time, do visit ‘Kamakura-gu Shrine.’ It’s about a 7-minute walk further east from the path you took from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu to Yuki no Chaya, and you will see a white torii gate at the end of the street.
Kamakura-gu Shrine was established in 1869 by imperial command of Emperor Meiji. The enshrined deity is Prince Moriyoshi, the son of Emperor Go-Daigo. Although Prince Moriyoshi was a hero who overthrew the Kamakura shogunate, he was confined in this area during the turmoil of the Northern and Southern Courts period and faded from the historical stage.
Kamakura-gu Shrine houses places and items related to Prince Moriyoshi. There’s also the ‘Migawari-sama,’ beloved by residents, and the ‘Sakazukiwari-sha,’ believed to dispel misfortune. Though it’s off the main tourist streets, visiting Kamakura-gu Shrine, cherished by the locals, is highly recommended.
Address: 154 Nikaido, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: About 8 minutes by Keikyu Bus ‘Daito-miya Line (Kam 20)’ from ‘JR Kamakura Station’ or ‘Enoden Kamakura Station
Enjoying the Refreshing Sea Breeze and Sunset in Enoshima
After exploring the central part of Kamakura, head towards Enoshima at the end of the day. Enoshima is a famous spot for sunset views. The coastline at sunset offers a fantastical view, illuminated by the setting sun.
Sunset Views from the Enoshima Iwaya Caves
One of the best spots to view the sunset in Enoshima is in front of the Enoshima Iwaya caves. By passing through the Okutsunomiya of Enoshima Shrine and proceeding down the alley, you will come to the entrance of the cave on the backside of Enoshima.
At the entrance of Iwaya, there is a dedicated deck, and from there, you can enjoy the sunset sinking into the sea without any obstructions. Enoshima Iwaya is open from 9 AM to 6 PM in summer, and the admission fee is 1,100 yen per person. It’s a good idea to go a bit earlier than sunset to enjoy the inside of the cave. You walk through the cave with a candle, which adds a sense of exploration and adventure.
Address: 2 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 0466-22-4141 (Fujisawa City Tourist Center)
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (until 6:00 PM in summer)
Closed: Open all year round
Parking: None available
Relax in a Café While Enjoying the Sunset!
If walking to Enoshima Iwaya seems a bit challenging, you can also watch the sunset from a café in the alleys of Enoshima.
‘Il Chianti Café Enoshima‘ is an Italian restaurant known for its delicious pizza and pasta sets. It is located beyond Kamegaoka Square. You can enjoy a beautiful sunset while dining not only from the terrace seats but also from the seats near the windows inside.
‘Cafe Madu ENOSHIMA’ is another café where you can enjoy an ocean view. The terrace seating is dog-friendly, so you can stop by while walking your pet. Even if you can’t see the sunset, watching the changing colors of the sky is also one of the pleasures of spending the evening in Enoshima.
Additionally, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view from ‘Enoshima Sea Candle,’ and you can also watch the sunset from ‘Benten Bridge,’ the symbol of Enoshima.
Why not conclude a day of sightseeing in Kamakura and Enoshima by relaxing with the magical sunset?”
Kamakura and Enoshima Sightseeing: Perfect for Girls’ Trips and Dates!
The Kamakura and Enoshima area, with its Instagram-worthy cafes, hidden and tranquil cafes, and numerous shrines, is a perfect destination for girls’ trips and dates. If you live in the Kanto region, why not visit for a day trip?
Kanagawa Prefecture has many other tourist spots besides Yokohama and the Hakone area, which I introduced this time. For more tourist information, check out AVA Travel!
AVAトラベルの記事は、日本旅行に詳しい様々な地域のライターによって執筆されています。
The articles on AVA Travel are written by writers from various regions who are knowledgeable about travel in Japan.
