Zeni-arai Benten and delicious restaurants in the vicinity.
November 2023 Seasonal up date : 1
Zeni-arai Benten, one of the top three must-visit places in Kamakura. It is famous for its divine blessing where if you wash your money in the shrine’s spring water called ‘Zeni-arai water,’ it is said to double. It’s a 20-minute walk from Kamakura Station’s west exit. You can either grab a bite to eat before heading there or make a detour on your way back. Just a short distance from Zeni-arai Benten, you’ll find Sasuke Inari, known as the god of success in business. Visiting them both may be the ultimate combination?!
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After exiting from the west exit of Kamakura Station, walk for about 20 minutes, passing by places like Kinokuniya Supermarket and Starbucks Coffee. Then, a stroll through a lovely residential area with lots of greenery and a climb up a steep hill will bring you to the entrance of Zeni-arai Benten.
Pass through an atmospheric tunnel to enter the grounds. Please wash your money in the sacred water, and pray for the prosperity of your family, success in business, and improved financial luck.
Now, it’s finally time to wash the money. You can use small change if you prefer, but trying it with bills is recommended here. Make sure to have a towel or handkerchief ready to hold the wet bills after washing.
After you’ve finished washing, return the ‘zaru’ to the designated area on the left towards the back, and your money washing ritual is complete.
Zeni-arai Benten’s history dates back to when Minamoto no Yoritomo, guided by a water deity with a human head and a snake body named Uga Fukujin, appeared in his dreams. Yoritomo followed the deity’s guidance and began construction of the shrine.
Within the shrine grounds, there are three other shrines dedicated to water deities, making it a spiritually refreshing and powerful spot.
After this, please consider a visit to Sasuke Inari, which is just a few minutes’ walk away.
Address: 2 Chome-25-16 Sasuke, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0017, Japan Phone: 0467-25-1081 Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
You will find Sasuke Inari after descending the hill from Zeni-arai Benten and veering to the right into a residential area. With its vermilion torii gate and surrounded by greenery, the grounds of Sasuke Inari exude an atmosphere reminiscent of a hidden village, creating a fantastical ambience.
Sasuke Inari’s origins trace back to when Minamoto no Yoritomo designated it as a sacred site and constructed an Inari shrine here. Yoritomo was referred to as ‘Sado’, and it is said that the shrine’s name, Sasuke Inari, was derived from the belief that a deity helped ‘Sado’.
It is often regarded as the deity of business success.
Address 2-22-12 Sasuke, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0017 Phone 0467-22-4711
Visiting Zeniarai Benzaiten and Sasuke Inari shrines means you will walk quite a bit. Afterward, perhaps you’d like to have something sweet. So, If so, it may be time to line up at the famous dessert shop nearby.
Tea House Kirara
“Kirara” is the most popular dessert shop in Kamakura. There is always a line of about 10 people waiting. The waiting time is often around 20 to 30 minutes, and reservations are not accepted.
However, it’s worth the wait because you can enjoy freshly made warm mochi (rice cakes) with plenty of shiratama (small, chewy rice dumplings) in a sweet red bean soup. When you take a bite, the generous portion may even leave you momentarily breathless – it’s that satisfying! They also serve pickles on the side, allowing you to alternate between salty and sweet flavors. By the time you finish, they bring you a second cup of warm tea.
Some days there are English speaking staff members who will politely assist customers from overseas, and the service is always impeccable. I hope this wonderful dessert shop continues with this style and flavor for a long time to come.
Address 16-7 Onarimachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0012 Phone 0467-24-9741 Payment is cash only.
One day, I had lunch on the way from Kamakura Station’s west exit to Zeniarai Benzaiten. I went to the popular restaurant “Kakan” known for its Mapo Tofu and Lu Rou Fan, favorites among locals.
The dishes I was looking forward to were, of course, delicious, and the side dishes and soup were also great. The water dumplings were made with special flour wrappers from “Kanehira Do Seimenjo,” a popular noodle shop in Kamakura.
After visiting the shrines, for those who wanted to relax and enjoy coffee, I would recommend “Starbucks Coffee Kamakura Onarimachi Store.” The location is excellent, with a terrace overlooking a pool surrounded by wisteria trellises. It’s one of 28 “Regional Landmark Stores” in Japan.
If you prefer a leisurely meal, you can also try “Garden House,” known for its delicious pizza and pancakes. Despite its proximity to the station, you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere amid dappled sunlight.
This is a popular restaurant located on the west side of Kamakura Station, known for its delicious Mapo Tofu.
Their Mapo Tofu, with a zesty touch of Sichuan pepper, is something I crave at least once in the summer. Another classic menu item, Lu Rou Fan, is also excellent.
There’s usually a line on the weekends, but the service is quite fast, so it’s well worth the wait. The restaurant also offers a variety of appetizers that are very appealing, so I’d like to make a reservation and visit in the evening next time!
Address: 13-12 Onarimachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0012 Phone: 0467-22-4772 Business Hours: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Closed on Tuesdays.
Located just a 3-minute walk from Kamakura Station’s west exit, this Starbucks was built on the site of a famous manga artist’s former residence. It offers a relaxed atmosphere with outdoor seating that overlooks wisteria trellises and a pool right in front of you. It’s one of the 28 “Regional Landmark Stores” in Japan, as designated by Starbucks.
“Starbucks Regional Landmark Store” is a term used to describe Starbucks stores designed to be architectural landmarks in various regions of Japan, to share the local culture with the world (as per the Starbucks official website).
The terrace seats are often occupied by locals with their dogs, and inside the premises, there’s also a Starbucks Reserve® counter where you can spend your time as you please.
“Garden House,” located next to Starbucks Coffee Onarimachi, is a restaurant where you can enjoy leisurely meals like pizza, pancakes, salads, and more. Notably, it lives up to its name with a lush garden that extends deep into the property, beautifully planted with trees, providing a soothing atmosphere from the entrance to the depths thereof.
Both the meals and desserts are delicious, making it a perfect place for a stylish date in a serene setting.
Address: 15-46 Onarimachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0012 Phone: 050-3184-0360 Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Reservations:https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/garden-house-kamakura/reserve
If you have the opportunity to visit Zeniarai Benzaiten and happen to pass by a store, you can always go there on your next visit, hoping for another chance.
Regarding Kamakura’s most popular destination, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, you can find information in the “Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine -Restaurants & Cafe” Please check that out as well.
