Welcome to the enchanting world of Kamakura, a historical gem nestled in the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan. Known for its rich cultural heritage, serene temples, and breathtaking landscapes, Kamakura offers not only a feast for the eyes but also a treat for the taste buds.
In this culinary exploration, we invite you to embark on a gastronomic journey through the narrow streets and hidden alleys of Kamakura, where traditional flavors meet modern twists. From delightful street snacks to exquisite dining experiences, this coastal town has something for every palate.
Join us as we uncover the secrets of Kamakura’s local cuisine, showcasing the best restaurants, hidden gems, and must-try dishes that make this historic destination a haven for food enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, prepare to savor the unique flavors that define Kamakura’s culinary identity. Let the culinary adventure begin!
Recommended dining establishments along Komachi Dori
“Komachi-dori” in Kamakura is a bustling street renowned for its historical charm and vibrant atmosphere. Located in the heart of Kamakura, it stretches from Kamakura Station to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, offering a delightful walk through the town’s rich history and culture.
Named after the famous beauty, Ono no Komachi, the street is lined with a diverse array of shops, cafes, and traditional crafts stores. Visitors can explore a mix of modern and traditional Japanese offerings, from stylish boutiques to authentic tea houses.
Let’s now explore some of the top dining establishments along Komachi Street.
Maruten
Introducing Isoage Maruten in Kamakura Komachi Street! This establishment is renowned for its series of mixed and fried seafood products, with the Octopus Stick standing out as the absolute favorite.The price is 420 yen. The octopus has a delicious flavor and a satisfying texture.
Inside the store, an array of these delightful mixed and fried items is prominently displayed, and you can take advantage of cost-effective assortments. The flavors here are richly incorporated, making them satisfying both as side dishes and as accompaniments to drinks. They are also perfect as snacks for children. Highly recommended, so be sure to grab some at the storefront, try them out.
- 2-9-7 Komachi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
- JR Yokosuka Line / Kamakura Station, 4 minutes on foot (270 meters)
Giraffa
Giraffa, located just a 3-minute walk from Kamakura Station, is a curry bun specialty store that opened its doors in December 2020. The curry buns they offer have been meticulously developed over a year, resulting in the creation of their current signature dish. The name “Giraffa” comes from the Italian word for giraffe, reflecting the desire to create curry buns that make people eagerly wait with their necks extended, as if saying, “I want to eat it quickly.”
Priced at 400 yen each (tax included), Giraffa’s curry buns boast a combination of “30 kinds of spices, aromatic vegetables, and fruits, intertwined with rich, melting cheese,” as stated on the signboard in front of the store. They also offer a 4-piece box for 1,600 yen (tax included), making it a perfect souvenir from Kamakura.
- Address: 2-2-21 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0006, Japan
- Business Hours:Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Craft Pudding Plant
Craft Pudding Plant, a specialty shop offering meticulously crafted puddings, was born on Komachi Street. With a dedication to quality ingredients and precise temperature control, we present the ultimate taste and texture experience. This is the essence of Craft Pudding Plant’s commitment to exceptional pudding.
In 2017, we opened the Craft Pudding Plant Karuizawa store, providing freshly made puddings in the historic town of Karuizawa. The autumn of 2018 saw the expansion to Komachi Street in Kamakura. Despite meticulous attention to ingredients, even slight temperature and timing differences during production can result in puddings with completely different textures.
As the flavor of pudding is influenced by its sweetness, variations in texture affect the sweetness that spreads across the palate. Daily temperature, humidity, pudding liquid temperature, hot water application temperature, and pudding liquid filling time are always conscientiously considered, keeping our team focused on the subtle differences.
From this delicate process emerges the texture of the ultimate creamy pudding. Craft Pudding Plant’s pudding is neither too firm nor too soft, with a perfect smoothness achieved through thorough cooking from the top to the bottom. The pursuit of this exquisite smoothness is born from the craftsmanship (Craft) and experience of our artisans, with all puddings meticulously handmade.
The process begins with artisans carefully cracking each selected egg and slowly heating it together with fresh milk. Our dedication to temperature control is evident in the 14 temperature checks conducted throughout the entire process. This emphasis on temperature management is the essence of Craft Pudding Plant.
- 1-5-33 Yuki-no-Shita, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa 248-0005, Japan
- 6 minutes on foot from JR Kamakura Station East Exit
- Distance from Kamakura Station: 501 meters
Momiji Chaya
Introducing a popular café in the historically rich and charming town of Kamakura, renowned for its tranquil Japanese ambiance. Local specialties such as “kama-age shirasu” (boiled whitebait) and “Misaki maguro” (Misaki tuna) are used to create delicious rice bowl dishes that have gained attention and positive reviews. During lunchtime, Momiji-chaya is so bustling that it’s challenging to secure a spot due to its popularity.
Momiji-chaya also boasts a diverse selection of sweets, with a standout being the famous “Uji Matcha Tiramisu” served in a wooden box, featuring the aromatic matcha from the renowned Kyoto establishment, “Morihan,” which has gained widespread popularity on social media.
- Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 1-4-26 Yuki-no-shita, WELLHOUSE 1F,
- 8 minutes on foot from Kamakura Station.
- 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Last Order: 5:00 PM)
Kamakurachacha
Introducing a specialty tea sweets shop that uses authentic, high-quality matcha made with premium ceremonial-grade matcha. Located in Kamakura, there are three branches: Komachi Street Store and Yuki-no-shita Store (Main Store) on Komachi Street, Gosei Store near the clock tower when you come down from the west exit of Kamakura Station.
Offering a range of matcha sweets crafted with precision, you can choose from “Matcha Gelato” and “Matcha Pudding” with five levels of intensity based on Kamakura Tea Grading, as well as “Matcha Soft Serve” made with premium matcha priced at 100 yen per gram. Additionally, experience the authenticity of their rich matcha sweets, which stand apart from the mass-produced matcha commonly used in confectioneries. Indulge in treats like “Matcha Latte” made with matcha ice, creating a unique and genuine matcha-flavored delight.
- 1-6-8 Yuki-no-shita, Kamakura City
- Located a 5-minute walk from JR Kamakura Station.
- Business Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Kamakura Tenkichi
Kamakura Tenkichi is located on Komachi Dori at 1-6-8 Komachi, Kamakura City, in the picturesque Yuki-no-Shita Prefecture. Indulge in our delectable Menchikatsu, available at an affordable price of 250 yen each. In addition to Menchikatsu, we offer a variety of other fried delights, including croquettes. Our offerings are not only budget-friendly but also exceptionally delicious.
This Menchikatsu is a product of Genie Magic, situated on Komachi Dori at 1-5-38 Komachi, Kamakura City, Yuki-no-Shita Prefecture. Here, Menchikatsu is priced at 350 yen each, and you’ll find an array of other tantalizing options, such as steamed meat buns, sausages, and refreshing juices. The juicy texture of the Menchikatsu at Genie Magic is particularly noteworthy; personally, I found it to be even more delightful.
- 1-6-8 Yuki-no-Shita, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa 248-0005, Japan
- 504 meters from Kamakura Station
D＆N
D&N is located on Komachi Dori. It’s a delightful spot where you can indulge in various types of fruit daifuku. Priced at approximately 300 yen each, we tried the strawberry, orange, raw chocolate banana, and raw chocolate varieties. The mochi daifuku was exceptionally delicious.
- 2-2-20 Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
- 3 minutes on foot (220m) from JR Yokosuka Line / Kamakura Station
- 13 minutes on foot (1.0km) from Enoshima Electric Railway Line / Wadazuka Station
- 19 minutes on foot (1.5km) from Enoshima Electric Railway Line / Yugihama Station
Shinsouen
“Kamakura Shinsho-en is a unique restaurant where you can experience the local flavors of Kamakura, featuring tempura made with locally sourced Shonan whitebait and Kamakura vegetables, as well as dishes incorporating Kamakura craft beer and Kamakura ham. The restaurant aims to provide a taste of the region by showcasing a diverse range of local ingredients.
Catering to a wide range of age groups, Kamakura attracts not only those who appreciate traditional Japanese seafood dishes but also families with children who have a preference for popular Chinese cuisine. To meet these varied tastes, the restaurant has dedicated chefs specializing in both Japanese and Chinese cuisines, offering an authentic and delightful dining experience.
What makes Kamakura Shinsho-en truly special is that it is the first in Japan to offer a menu featuring authentic Japanese cuisine using Shonan whitebait alongside genuine Chinese dishes crafted by chefs from China!”
- 2-7-32 Komachi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa 248-0006, Japan
- Nearest Station: JR Yokosuka Line, Kamakura Station – 5 minutes on foot, along Komachi Street
- Distance from Kamakura Station: 333 meters
- Weekdays:11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday, Sunday, Holidays:10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sakurano Yumemiya
If you’re ever near Kamakura Station, take a 7-minute stroll and you’ll find yourself in front of a charming dumpling shop. As you pass by, you’ll be greeted by a showcase filled with an array of colorful and adorable dumplings. With a wide variety ranging from classics to Instagram-worthy creations, this place is particularly popular among the younger crowd.
Perfect for on-the-go snacking, these dumplings can be enjoyed while strolling through the area. The top favorite is undoubtedly the classic “Mitara-shi Dumpling”!
Featuring a chewy dumpling generously coated in a fragrant sweet soy glaze, it’s a treat that becomes addictive after the first bite. During the winter season, they also release a limited-time “Strawberry Anko Dumpling,” where strawberries are delicately placed on top of the dumplings – a surefire hit for Instagram-worthy moments.
The shop offers a variety of unique flavors, including ones with roasted soybean flour, soy sauce, honey lemon paste, and cherry blossom paste. Additionally, there’s a cozy seating area inside for those who prefer to dine in.
With a high influx of tourists, it’s no wonder this shop always has long queues – a testament to its popularity!
- Address: 2-7-34 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 316-0003, Japan (7 minutes on foot from JR Kamakura Station)
- Distance from Kamakura Station: 316 meters
- Business Hours:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tomoya Kamakura Komachiten
Located about a 5-minute walk from the east exit of JR Kamakura Station, you’ll find a vibrant blue curtain with a family crest marking the spot – this is the “Tomoya Kamakura Komachiten.” Displaying the business name “Kamakura Tomoya,” this shop has been a fixture in this location for 35 years. In the past, under the management of the previous owner, it operated as a traditional Japanese confectionery shop, offering items such as sakuramochi, odango, and imagawayaki.
The current style of the shop emerged five years ago when the second-generation owner, Sosuke Minami, took over. While preserving the traditional flavors of items like odango and warabimochi, the menu expanded to include cold treats like soft serve ice cream. In March 2020, the shop unveiled a new creation called the “Daibutsu-sama Yaki,” inheriting the technique of the “Imagawayaki” passed down by the previous owner. Its official name is the “Bringing Happiness Daibutsu-sama Yaki.”
- 1-6-8 Yuki-no-Shita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture,
- Business Hours:10:30 AM – 6:30 PM.
Recommended dining establishments outside of Komachi Street
In Kamakura, there are plenty of delicious dining establishments beyond Komachi Street. Now, let’s introduce some recommended dining establishments outside of Komachi Street.
Sabou Kirara
“Sabou Kirara” is a popular shop located in a residential area about a 10-minute walk from the west exit of Kamakura Station. Despite being situated in a quiet residential neighborhood, it’s so popular that even on weekdays, there’s often a queue forming outside. Please note that the shop may close early if the day’s ingredients run out. To ensure you get a taste or avoid waiting in line, it’s advisable to aim for the opening hours. The line for waiting typically extends outside the shop, and during seasons like hydrangea season, the wait time can easily exceed an hour before entering. While the various types of Shiratama Anmitsu are popular on the menu, other options like Isobe-yaki and Tokoroten are also available. The Shiratama at Sbou Kirara is served “freshly boiled,” giving it a subtly warm touch. The size, slightly protruding from the spoon, provides a satisfying bite! When topped with a bit of sweet red bean paste, it feels like indulging in a soft Daifuku. The chewiness and glossy texture of the Shiratama make for a visually charming and memorable eating experience.
- Address: 16-7R Gyoninmachi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa 478-0000, Japan
- Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Kamakura Station West Exit
- Distance from Kamakura Station: 478 meters
- Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sundays and Holidays: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Last Order: 4:00 PM)
- Closed on Thursdays
Hatoya
Hatoya is a store that sells matcha lattes and sweets. Its main store is located in Kyoto, and it opened a new branch in Kamakura in August 2023.
The owner is dedicated to the high quality of tea produced in Kyoto, offering more than seven varieties of delicious matcha to suit the season. They are a Japanese tea specialty store with a variety of Japanese tea lattes and sweets. Location: a 2-minute walk from the West Exit of Kamakura Station.
In addition to matcha lattes, this store sells matcha soft serve, matcha financiers, half-baked matcha sweets, matcha cookies, and matcha terrines. You can choose to top your matcha latte with matcha soft serve ice cream, financier, cookies, or any other product sold at the store. After ordering, you can watch the waiter make tea at the counter. It is a great place for matcha lovers to enjoy tea with their eyes and nose while waiting for their order.
I ordered a matcha soft serve and a matcha latte. Both were delicious, with rich matcha green tea and just the right amount of bitterness. After a meal, the matcha is so thick that your tongue will definitely turn green!
Benten Chaya
Benten Chaya is located in the precincts of Engaku-ji, a Rinzai sect temple, just outside the ticket gate of Kitakamakura Station.
To reach Benten Chaya, you’ll need to climb more than 140 steps. The stairs are quite steep and narrow, so if others are coming up behind you, it can get a bit congested.
On clear days, you can enjoy the expansive views of Northern Kamakura at this open and airy tea house.It’s a perfect spot to unwind and savor your tea while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
Lunch was already sold out, so I ended up having Shiratama Zenzai. It was delicious! Shiratama Zenzai is a traditional Japanese dessert consisting of sweet red bean soup with chewy rice dumplings called shiratama. Highly recommended!
- Business Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (3:00 PM from December to February)
- Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Located within the precincts of Engaku-ji, a 1-minute walk from JR Yokosuka Line’s Kitakamakura Station.
@japaclub777 Engaku-ji Temple's Benten Hall, nestled in the heart of Kamakura, is a serene haven that embodies the tranquil beauty and spiritual heritage of Japan. Surrounded by lush greenery, its ambiance offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. To reach Benten Chaya, you’ll need to climb more than 140 steps. The stairs are quite steep and narrow, so if others are coming up behind you, it can get a bit congested. On clear days, you can enjoy the expansive views of Northern Kamakura at this open and airy tea house.It’s a perfect spot to unwind and savor your tea while taking in the breathtaking scenery. #EngakujiTemple #BentenHall #Kamakura #SpiritualJourney #JapaneseCulture #TravelJapan #BentenHall #SpiritualJourney #JapaneseCulture ♬ Countless – Official Sound Studio