Top 50 Things to Do in the Shonan/Kamakura Area
The Shonan/Kamakura area is less than 1 hour away from Tokyo. You can enjoy visiting historical temples and the ocean, experiences that a city like Tokyo can't easily offer.
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41. Visit Enoshima Shrine
Enoshima Shrine is one of the three major shrines in Japan honoring Benzaiten, the goddess of music, eloquence, wealth, and wisdom. There are many stairs leading up to the shrine, but if you can't or don't want to take that route, you can use the Enoshima ESCAR, a long escalator that takes you up and down the island. At the shrine there is a ginkgo tree called the Musubi no Ki that has 2 trunks but 1 root. It's believed to have the power to bring you a good relationship. You might find a good match just like this tree if you write your prayer on a pink musubi ema, a wooden plaque for match-making prayers.
HP: enoshimajinja.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 〒251-0036 2-3-8 Enoshima, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa (Google Map)
42. Visit Ryukoji Temple
Ryukoji Temple is the main temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism that sits on the Katase Ryuko Execution Grounds where convicted criminals were executed during the Kamakura era. The dungeon and cave where Nichiren was confined as well as the only wooden five-storied pagoda in Kanagawa prefecture are here. Every September 12th, the day that Nichiren was sentenced to death as political persecution, they hold an event called the Botamochi Kuyo. It's a memorial service where they offer botamochi, a kind of sweet rice dumpling filled with anko.
HP: www.ryukoji.jp/01info.html (Japanese Only)
Address: 〒251-0032 3-13-37 Katase, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa (Google Map)
43. Visit Tokeiji Temple
Tokeiji was in 1285 founded by Kakusanni, one of Hojo Tokimune's wives. Hojo Tokimune was a samurai warrior in the mid-Kamakura era who saved Japan from the Mongolian invasion. Tokeiji Temple was a refuge for women who needed help up until the Edo period, and it was called the Kakekomidera (a refuge for women from their cruel husbands) or the Engiridera (a temple where women could seek divorce from their husbands). It's also known as the temple of flowers. You can enjoy the walk throughout the grounds thanks to their floral calendar.
HP: www.tokeiji.com/english/about/
Address: 〒247-0062 1367 Yamanouchi, Kamakura-shi, Kamakura (Google Map)
44. Try zazen
There are a few temples in Kamakura where you can experience zazen, Zen meditation. Engakuji Temple offers morning zazen sessions every day, and on the weekends they also have afternoon sessions. If you experience zazen in Kamakura's abundant nature, you'll be able to sharpen your spiritual senses.
HP: www.engakuji.or.jp/top.html (Japanese Only)
Address: 〒247-0062 409 Yamanouchi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa (Google Map)
45. Eat washoku in Kita-Kamakura
Hachi no Ki is a traditional Japanese restaurant that was established in 1964 and has 3 branches in Kita-Kamakura, one where they serve authentic shojin meals (traditional vegetarian food), one where they serve banquet dishes, and a cafe where they offer washoku meals. The shojin restaurant is built in the style of traditional tea houses and it's very beautiful. Their sesame tofu and seasonal dishes are amazing!
HP: www.hachinoki.co.jp/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 350 Yamanouchi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa (Google Map)
46. Enjoy kakigoori at Kugenuma Kaigan Beac
Kakegoori is Japanese-style shaved ice, using flavored syrups and condensed milk. Kohori Noan is a specialty kakigoori shop and is located just a 5 minute walk away from Kugenuma Kaigan Station. Their kakigoori is super fluffy and made with homemade syrup. It's so big that you'll feel happy just by looking at it!
HP: kohori-noan.com/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 〒251-0037 3-5-11 Kugenuma Kaigan, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa (Google Map)
47. Hunt for gifts in Hase
When you think of Hase, there's almost no doubt that the Great Buddha is the first thing you think of. However, when you're heading towards the Buddha from Hase Station, you can find a small candy store called Dagashiya Haseten. It sells cute sweets like Buddha gummies. You can find a variety of sweets, ranging from vintage candies to cute original candies. They also have other Buddha related goods, such as tape and super balls.
HP: dagasiya.afz.jp/ (Japanese Only)sma
Address: 〒248-0016 2-14-20 Hase, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa (Google Map)
48. Visit Sugimotodera
Sugimotodera, famous for being the "temple of moss," is a temple that's part of the Tendai sect of Buddhism and is reportedly the oldest temple in Kamakura. Gyoki, a Japanese monk in the Nara-era, established Sugimotodera and enshrined the Eleven-faced Kannon there in 734. The stone steps that are covered with moss cannot be climbed because they have mostly eroded away, but they're worth a look.
HP: sugimotodera.com/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 〒248-0002 903 Nikaido, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa (Google Map)
49. Become a samurai
In Shisouan, you can enjoy transforming into a samurai by trying on different types of kimono. They have the outfit worn by Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a general that was part of the Minamoto clan in the Kamakura-era, as well as the outfit worn by Shizuka Gozen, a court dancer and mistress of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. You can also experience Kamakura culture by learning Japanese archery as well as suguroku, a type of dice game. Reservations are required.
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HP: http://www.shisouan.com/shisouan/index.html
Address: 〒248-0027 6-1-23 Fueda, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa (Google Map)
50. Visit Jomyoji Temple
Jyomoji is the 5th temple in the Kamakura Five Mountain Zen Temples. It was built in 1188 by Ashikaga Yoshikage, a samurai military commander who built the foundation for the Ashikaga clan in the Kamakura era. Jyomoji belongs to the Kenchoji sect of the Rinzai School of Buddhism. You can enjoy matcha tea and wagashi sweets at the Kisen-an Cafe in front of the main temple while you admire the beautiful Karesansui garden that depicts landscapes using only rocks and sand. There is also a restaurant called the Ishigama Garden Terrace on top of the hill on the grounds.
HP: www.ishigama.info/index.html (Japanese Only)
Address: 3-8-31 Jomyoji, Kamakura-shi, Kamakura (Google Map)
Immerse yourself in the nature of the Shonan/Kamakura area and experience a relaxing time that Tokyo cannot offer. Kamakura also offers various experiences of Japanese history that's worth your time!
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The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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