Kamakura is a beautiful seaside city along the Shonan Coast that has also played the role of one of Japan’s ancient capitals, a role shared with Kyoto. Similar to Kyoto, Kamakura has many beautiful temples and shrines, but also amazing food, restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops.
Only an hour by local train from Tokyo, Kamakura is a favorite for Japanese tourists, and a bit of a hidden gem for international tourists. The hydrangeas in Kamakura are breathtakingly beautiful, a must see in June. Kamakura is also famous for having Japan’s third largest bronze casted Buddha at Kotoku Temple.
Specialty Foods of Kamakura
Kamakura is often compared to Kyoto, not just for being a historic capital, but also because it has a plethora of sweets and cafes. There are often sweets guides printed for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kamakura, making it’s cafes famous nation-wide. Kamakura is also famous for shirasu, a small white fish often eaten whole with rice.
Food At Kamakura Station
Mont Blanc Stand
Japan, ć248-0007 Kanagawa, Kamakura, Åmachi, 1 Chomeā1ā12 II āA ļ¼·ļ½ļ½ļ½å¤§ēŗ (Google Maps)
It’s no surprise that one of my top picks for Kamakura is a mont blanc stand. This eatery serves seasonal treats exclusively mont blanc based desserts, including meringue, chestnut mini cakes, and of course mont blanc. Their mont blanc flavors sometimes rotate seasonally, so keep up with their social media to see what they have now! *They allow photos and video but they request that you do not record or take pictures of their staff and their faces, hands are fine!
sahan
Japan, ć248-0012 Kanagawa, Kamakura, Onarimachi, 13ā38 č©åćć« 2F (Google Maps)
I cannot possibly pick a favorite restaurant in Kamakura, but sahan changed my life in a way that others haven’t. sahan is a calm cafe with a simple modern interior that serves a rotating teishoku Japanese lunch sets on beautiful plates. This restaurant started my journey to collect pottery and changed my approach to cooking and eating. Teishoku is found all over the country, what struck me was how elegant but still approachable their food is. Below is a meal with braised meatballs, eggplant, miso soup with tofu, micro green, and cherry tomatoes with a wakame salad and rice.
THE GOOD GOODIES
10-1 Onarimachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0012, Japan (Google Maps)
THE GOOD GOODIES is the perfect morning pitstop for anyone who likes to get to Kamakura early to maximize their site seeing. They have a modern interior with indoor and outdoor seating. Along side their coffee menu, they have pastries and a in-demand chiffon cake! Below is their chocolate croissant and iced latte.
Tsubame Cafe
3 Chome-2-27 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0006, Japan (Google Maps)
Tsubame Cafe is a cute cafe located in an old Japanese style house near Kamakura station. The first time I went, my friend and I showed right at opening and were able to get a seat, but this cafe is so popular I recommend making a reservation via their Instagram. This cafe has a beautiful curated interior and serves a delicious teishoku lunch. We were lucky that our side came with Kamakura’s famous shirasu little fish, so were able to try it without committing to a full dish. I ordered their curry teishoku that came with shirasu citrus salad, egg salad, and mabodofu.
Food Around Kita Kamakura Station
Minka
377-2 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062, Japan (Google Maps)
Minka is a cute cafe ran out of an old house near Kita Kamakura Station. This cafe has nice drinks and desserts. I highly recommend stopping by after a hike from Hase to Kita Kamakura! My friend and I really enjoyed their pudding and cheese cake with their house made seasonal citrus soda.
Food Around Hase Station
Ekiyoko Bake
2 Chome-14-11 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan (Google Maps)
Ekiyoko Bake is a bakery produced by the same team that does KANNON COFFEE. This bakery has a focus on sweet treats and coffee. I absolutely love this cafe, their rotating menu changes often so every time I go to Kamakura it is a must visit! Below is a sakura mont blanc tart slice, strawberry and cream scones, strawberry tart, and a parfait inspired by Kamakura’s famous hydrangea!
KANNON COFFEE kamakura
3 Chome-10-29 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan (Google Maps)
KANNON COFFEE is a small coffee shop with a few locations in trendy areas throughout Japan. Each location has it’s own specialty, and the Kamakura location is known for their Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, shaped cookies. They also make crepes, and their most popular item is their crepes with a Kannon cookie on top. This cafe also has a seasonal menu, so crepe fillings and drinks change seasonally! This shop is located near Hase Temple, so highly recommend stopping by on your way to see the hydrangeas or visiting their massive Kannon statue.
vuori
1 Chome-15-1 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan (Google Maps)
vuori is a cute cafe in an old house located near Hase Temple. They serve crepes and in summer they have shaved ice to keep you cool in the heat. I had a caramel nuts crepe with an iced coffee!
Food Around Shichirigahama Station
potatis
1 Chome-3-12 Shichirigahama, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0026, Japan (Google Maps)
potatis is a french fry and milk shake focused shop along the Shonan Seaside. They sell different cuts of french fries, including waffle fries, which are difficult to find in Japan, hot dogs, fried fish and chicken, and milkshakes. This was one of the first places I ever ate in Kamakura, one of my best friends showed it to me the first time I went to Kamakura. I absolutely love this shop, you can eat in store or take it down to the beach to sit by the ocean and enjoy some views of Enoshima and Mt. Fuji. Below is my typical order of a caramel banana milkshake, wedge fries with jalapeƱo cheese, and a hot dog.
Kamakura is one of my favorite places to visit in Japan. I highly recommend it for those living in Japan or visiting it from abroad, it’s a nice day trip from Tokyo but of course you can stay much longer if you’d like. There’s so much to eat, see, and do. I absolutely adore Kamakura.