Story
Enjoy a flower-themed
day trip to Kamakura
Published in 2020
Kamakura, a City that Blooms in Blue
About Kamakura
Uniting both the majesty of nature and rich history, Kamakura is a popular day-trip destination and famous for its collection of ancient temples and shrines. While it is a charming place to explore year-round, the revered city, during Japan's rainy season (in June), is painted with tints of blue, pink and purple from the breathtaking blooms of hydrangea flowers which you can admire at various historic sites. In between sightseeing, satiate your appetite with the coastal city's famous delicacies – mountain vegetables and shirasu (whitebait).
Enjoy a flower-themed day trip to
Kamakura
08:50 Kita-Kamakura Station
↓ 10 min walk
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09:00 Meigetsuin Temple
Founded in 1160, Meigetsuin is also known as the "Hydrangea Temple" because beautiful blue hydrangea flowers bloom in abundance on the temple grounds around June. This is also when the temple's inner garden is open to visitors for 2 weeks when their irises are in bloom.
Location: 189 Yamanouchi Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
Entry Fee: 300 yen (July - May)
500 yen (June)
Operating hours:
9am - 4pm (July - May)
8:30am - 5pm (June)
(* Opening hours may be subject to change.)
↓ 5 min walk
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11:00 Jochiji Temple
Jochiji is situated within lush greenery boasting bamboo groves and flower beds where blue and pink hydrangeas bloom in abundance in summer. Go for a quiet stroll around the garden and look out for the statue of Hotei – rub the belly of this god to bring good fortune!
Location: 1402 Yamanouchi Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
Entry Fee: 200 yen
Operating hours: 9am - 4:30pm
↓ 10 min walk
Kita- Kamakura Station
↓ JR Yokosuka Line train 3 min ride
Kamakura Station
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12:30 Akimoto (lunch)
Akimoto is a popular restaurant where you can savour Kamakura's signature mountain vegetables and shirasu (whitebait) which are particularly famous in this part of Japan. Must-try dishes include a shirasu rice bowl and the vegetable tempura set.
Location: i-ZA Kamakura 3F, 1-6-15 Komachi-cho Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
Operating hours: 11am - 3:30pm, 5:30pm - 8pm
Regular holiday: Closed on Thursdays
Kamakura Station
↓ Enoshima train Electric Railway train 511 min ride
Hase Station
↓ 5 min walk
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14:00 Hasedera Temple
Built on a wooded hill with sweeping views of Kamakura city and the ocean, Hasedera is known for its giant, 11-headed gilded statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. You can also enjoy the sight of over 40 kinds of lovely hydrangeas scattered across the hills of this temple.
- Location: 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Entry Fee: 400 yen (adult); 200 yen (children 6 to 11 years old)
- Operating hours: 8am - 5pm (March - September)
8am – 5:30pm (October - February) - https://www.hasedera.jp/en/
↓ 10 min walk
︙
15:00 Tenugui Cafe Ichigeya
The cafe is found in a traditional Japanese house with a classic engawa (verandah) overlooking the garden. You can enjoy curry (prepared with pesticide- and chemical-free vegetables), coffee, and sweets like zenzai or almond tofu in a nostalgic atmosphere right on the verandah.
Location: 18-5 Sakanoshita, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
Operating hours: 10:30am - 5pm
Regular holiday: Close on Tuesday and Wednesday
↓ 5 min walk
Hase Station
↓ 5 min train ride
Inamuragasaki Station
↓ 5 min walk
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17:00 Inamuragasaki Park
A famous location for anime and TV dramas, Inamuragasaki Park is a charming surf area that offers sweeping views of the ocean, Enoshima Island, and Mt. Fuji. In summer, this romantic sunset spot is also popular for its blooming hydrangea flowers.
Published in 2020
