Hase Kamakura is where the great buddha and Hase Temple are located. There are many more things to do! The oldest shrine in Kamakura, beautiful museum, beach, etc. Also good food! Here is a guide for restaurant and cafe around Hase area.
Things To Do in Hase, Kamakura
Visit Shrines and Temples is a typical thing to do in Hase. Generally people come to Kotoku-in (the great buddha) and Hase temple. There are more things to do besides them.
Kotoku-in Temple – Great Buddha, Kamakura
One of iconic places of Kamakura is Kotoku-in Temple where the statue of great Buddha is. It had started building from 1252. It’s 11 meters high (13.5 meters included the pedestal), 121 tons.
It’s not huge site, however, there are many places that you can sit and rest.
Admission
- 300 yen for adult, junior high school student, high school student
- 150 yen for elementary school student
Hase Dera Temple
Hase Temple was built in 736. There are buddhist statues and buildings, of course. Also there are many kinds of flowers throughout a year. You can have a great view of beautiful ocean at overlook point!
Hydrangea
You can see beautiful hydrangea in rainy season at Hase dera Temple. Of course it gets more crowded, but it’s beautiful as many people come visit for that.
Ojizo Statue
There are 3 sets of ojizo statues in Hase dera Temple. I found all of them, it was not easy but fun!
Amanawa Shrine – The Oldest Shrine in Kamakura
Amanawa Shrine is not well known for non Japanese people. But it’s a very nice place. It’s the oldest shrine in Kamakura, built in 710. You go up many stairs, and you will have quietness and nice view that you can see Hase area and ocean.
Kamakura Museum of Literature
Unfortunately, it’s closed until March 31st 2027.
Once you walk up to the museum, you can feel the great quietness surrounded by nature. If you are not a resident of Kamakura city, you need to buy the ticket. Then you will walk and go through a pretty bridge made from stones.
You can go inside of the Japanese x Western designed house which was built in 1936, of course, but also you should check the garden where you see the beautiful plants and flowers. It’s famous for the beauty of roses on the garden.
Best Food, Restaurant and Cafe in Hase, Kamakura
Restaurant Shamoji – Seafood
If you want to eat seafood, I’d recommend this restaurant called Shamoji. I’ve heard that local people recommend this place for great seafood. So it’s a very popular place, that has a long line all the time. I recommend going at opening time to avoid the line.
We ordered
- Grilled Salmon Set
- Marinated Tuna & Shirasu Bowl + nama (raw) Shirasu topping
Matsubara an – Soba Noodle
For Soba noodle, I’d recommend Matsubara-an. The closest station is Yuigahama though, you can walk from Hase area too.
It’s a house style restaurant that was built in Showa period, and there are seats both inside and out.
You can choose cold/hot soba noodle, I choose the hot one. They also have a lot of kinds of appetizer, alcohol beverage, etc. Tempura which is called Arare age (deep fried food), is famous here. As Arare means hail. the ingredients are fried individually.
Kannon Coffee
Kannon Coffee is located nearby Hase dera Temple. It’s a great place to stop by for a quick coffee break. They have any kinds of coffee, and snacks like cookies, pastries, etc.
They only have counter seats inside, and two benches outside. I’d recommend going on sunny day!
Taiyaki Namihei
Do you know Taiyaki? It’s a fish(red snapper)-shaped cake that made by pancake-ish dough and filling.
These days, shops have a Taiyaki maker that they can make a lot of Taiyaki in once. You don’t see shops making Taiyaki individually because it’s more difficult and requires more efforts, but this shop Namihei makes it one by one.
For the options for filling at Namihei,
- Anko (red beans paste)
- Matcha
- Choco-an (chocolate x Anko)
- Kurogoma-an (black sesame)
- Yakiimo-an (sweet potato)
They also have bread, Yakisoba noodle, and shaved ice here.
Hase – Kamakura has a lot of things to offer for you to enjoy!
