Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine -Restaurants & Cafe
June 2023 Seasonal up date : 1
For both first-time visitors to Kamakura and those who have been before, a must-visit place is Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. It’s a symbol of Kamakura.
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Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine has been worshipped for approximately 800 years, dating back to the Kamakura period, serving as a protective deity for samurai. It stands as one of the most popular places in Kamakura, where Japanese cultural traditions like martial arts, tea ceremonies, and traditional attire, such as kimono, are cherished and passed down to the next generation.
Within its spacious grounds, you’ll find cafes and gardens, providing a relaxing space for both tourists and locals. It has become a peaceful oasis for everyone to enjoy amidst the bustling atmosphere of Kamakura.
There are various types of amulets, and it feels like browsing through beautiful trinkets.
The ‘Kachimamori’ amulet, used for success in battles.
The ‘Omiki’ is an offering to the deity, often consisting of sake.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine 2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura-shi Kanagawa 248-8588 Japan 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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Here are some manners regarding shrines and hand cleansing
Performing temizu (water ablution) before visiting a shrine is a ritual to purify oneself.
- Hold the ladle in your right hand and scoop water.
- Wash your left hand using the water from the ladle’s front section.
- Then, wash your right hand.
- Next, store some water in your left hand and rinse your mouth. Nowadays, making a “rinsing gesture” without actually putting water in your mouth is more common.
- After rinsing your mouth, wash your left hand again.
- Finally, pour water over the handle of the ladle to cleanse it from any impurities your hands may have transferred to it. Return the ladle to its original position and dry your hands with a handkerchief or a similar item.
Two Cafes in the Grounds of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine: ‘Tsurugaoka Museum Cafe’and ‘Tea House Forest of the Wind’
Tsurugaoka Museum Cafe
When you enter Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and walk a little, you’ll find the ‘Tsurugaoka Bunkakan Tsurugaoka Museum’ cafe on the left side. It has a minimalistic and refined ambiance where you can enjoy light meals such as sandwiches and cafe lattes while sipping on coffee.
What’s noteworthy here is their dessert menu featuring health-conscious herbal treats. It’s a place where you can indulge in desserts that are good for both your body and mind.
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on Mondays (If Monday is a public holiday, the cafe will be closed the following day) 0467-84-8993
Saryo Kaze no Mori
A traditional Japanese tearoom located at the entrance to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine precincts, offering a view of the Heike Pond. This tearoom is managed by a long-established Japanese confectionery shop and stands out for its exquisite Japanese sweets and delicious matcha, perfectly complementing the serene surroundings of Kamakura.
With the floral decorations on the tables, the refined ambiance of the establishment, and the attentive staff, it provides a tranquil tearoom where you can experience the quintessential Japanese hospitality, known as ‘omotenashi.’
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM 0467-61-3106 Accessibility: Wheelchair Accessible Entrance Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Foldable Baby Bed Available
Recommended lunch
1: Kamakura Yamaji / Soba (buckwheat noodles)
Just a stone’s throw from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, as you enter Komachi-dori Street, you’ll find a quaint entrance that capitalizes on the flag-shaped location, exuding the distinctive Kamakura ambiance.
The interior decor throughout the establishment reflects Kamakura’s culture and traditions.
Arriving around the opening time at 11 AM usually allows you to enter without much waiting.
1-7-3 Yuki-no-shita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0005, Japan 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM 0467-25-2249 (No reservations, cash payment only.)
2: Okome Tenmatsudo / Onigiri (rice balls) and Japanese sake
Just outside Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, on the right side of Wakamiya-Oji Street, you’ll find a popular onigiri (rice ball) shop tucked away in the back of the sidewalk.
They use high-quality rice and the onigiri are filled with ingredients that will make you exclaim, ‘Truly professional’! They also have an excellent selection of Japanese sake, so you can enjoy the perfect marriage of ‘sake, snacks, and white rice’.
Making a reservation through their website eliminates the need to wait in line, so reservations are a must.
1-8-37 Yuki-no-shita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0005, Japan [Lunch Time] 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM [Dinner Time] 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Closed on irregular days 0467-60-4356
Recommended souvenirs for after visiting Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
1: Toshimaya – Seasonal Japanese confections .
Representing Kamakura, deeply associated with Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, is ‘Toshimaya.’ They are famous for their Dove-shaped Sablés (biscuits). While Dove Sablés are delightful with a long shelf life and charming taste, Toshimaya’s seasonal Japanese confections are also both beautiful and delicious, making it a joy to choose from their variety. Highly recommended!
2-11-19 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan 0467-25-0810 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Closed on Wednesdays (Irregular closure, open on holidays)
2: High on Feminine Charm. Heart-fluttering Souvenirs.
Souvenirs for close friends: 3 Charming Kamakura Gifts That Are Frequent Pleasures to Buy and Enjoy Choosing, Sometimes Ending Up as Your Own.
Nail art with the motif of ‘Tsume wo nuru hito’ amidst Hi,komogomo.
Simple design cherry blossom shell earrings by Lino Drops .
Hi,komogomo 1-8-32 Yuki-no-shita, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, 248-0005, Japan 0467-22-6340
Romi-uni Confiture 2-15-11 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, 248-0006, Japan 0467-61-3033
Lino Drops 2-12-29 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, 248-0006, Japan 0467-55-5833
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine offers new discoveries with every visit, no matter how many times you go. It’s a proud symbol of Kamakura, a shrine that harmoniously coexists with everyday life.
