Just 32min from Kawasaki｜Experience the charm of June in Kamakura with beautiful hydrangeas and seasonal gourmet delights.

Discover the perfect Kamakura trip itinerary. This time we based Hotel Metropolitan Kawasaki, just a 2-minute walk from JR Kawasaki Station’s west exit! Focusing on the hydrangeas in full bloom during June, we’ve curated a Kamakura sightseeing plan. For example, featuring popular spots like Meigetsu-in Temple and Engaku-ji Temple. Alongside these, enjoy local seasonal cuisine at recommended lunch spots, cafes, and Japanese restaurants.This itinerary offers a full day to immerse yourself in the charm of Kamakura!

Kamakura sightseeing adventure starting from Hotel Metropolitan Kawasaki.

Kamakura, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, is a treasure trove of historical landmarks surrounded by abundant natural beauty, including mountains and the sea. Another highlight is its convenient access—just 32 minutes from Kawasaki.

This time we focusing the charm of Kamakura in June. For example, beautiful hydrangeas and fine dining, workshop of craft Umeshu. I’ll be reporting on this, so please be sure to check it out!

Here are the recommended sightseeing spots in Kamakura that will be introduced in this article.

• Meigetsu-in Temple
• Engaku-ji Temple
• Kita Kamakura Yukari
• Windera Cafe
• Choya
• Oryori Tomiyama

Be amazed by the grandeur of Engaku-ji Temple, which houses national treasures! Enjoy hydrangea viewing in the peaceful temple grounds.

Access from Hotel Metropolitan Kawasaki to Engaku-ji Temple (starting point) takes approximately 32 minutes.

• From JR Tōkaidō Line Kawasaki Station, take the train to Totsuka Station or Ofuna Station. Transfer to the Yokosuka Line and get off at Kitakamakura Station. Exit from the East Gate and walk for about 1 minute.

First, head to Engaku-ji Temple, which is just a short walk from the East Exit of Kitakamakura Station. Engaku-ji was founded in 1282 (the 5th year of the Koan era) to honor the spirits of those who died in the Mongol invasions. The temple grounds are designated as a National Historic Site.

On the vast grounds of approximately 60,000 square meters, you can see national treasures such as the Shari-den (a hall enshrining the Buddha’s relics) and the famous Ogane bell, a representative bell from the Kamakura period.

Reference: “Engaku-ji Temple”
Reference: “Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan”

The vibrant and beautiful hydrangeas that adorn Engaku-ji Temple.

In addition to the historical buildings, the beautiful landscaping is also a highlight of the Engaku-ji Temple grounds. Around June, approximately 7 to 8 varieties of hydrangeas, mainly Yama-ajisai, bloom in full glory.

Hydrangeas can be admired throughout the temple grounds. In particular, between the Sanmon Gate and Butto-den (Main Hall), visitors can enjoy a stunning display of colorful blooms.

Feel the dignified atmosphere of Kamakura fills the air.

In the tranquil and majestic atmosphere of the temple grounds, a woman dressed in traditional Japanese attire added a beautiful touch. It seemed there was an event being held that day.

We were also fortunate enough to witness a procession of monks moving together. The dignified sight of them made our team instinctively straighten our posture and offer a prayer. We were truly immersed in the quiet and solemn atmosphere of Kamakura.

You can also capture a unique photo combining the beauty of hydrangeas with the Yokosuka Line in the background.

Leaving the Engaku-ji main gate and crossing the railway tracks in front, you’ll find Byakurochi where you can capture a unique shot of both the hydrangeas and the Yokosuka Line in one frame.

Engaku-ji Temple offers a relaxing experience, allowing you to enjoy hydrangeas from various angles. It’s an ideal spot to start your journey with a refreshing feeling, making it one of Kamakura’s top recommended sightseeing locations.

Adress	1-1-1 Kitakamakura, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062, Japan
Call	0467-22-0478
Admission fee	Adult：500yen Child：200yen
Open hour	March-November：8:30～16:30 December-February：8:30～16:00
Web	https://www.engakuji.or.jp/

At Meigetsu-in Temple, also known as the “Hydrangea Temple,” you can encounter a unique and breathtaking landscape.

Next, head to Meigetsu-in Temple, known as the “Hydrangea Temple,” located about an 8-minute walk from Engaku-ji Temple. Founded in 1159 (the 1st year of the Heiji era), Meigetsu-in is a historic temple, just like Engaku-ji, and is designated as a National Historic Site.

Meigetsu-in Temple is a spot where you can enjoy various seasonal plants throughout the year: peach blossoms and cherry blossoms in spring, irises in summer, osmanthus and autumn leaves in fall, and daffodils and plums in winter. However, the most impressive season is undoubtedly the hydrangea season, when the temple’s gardens are in full bloom.

The beautiful hydrangeas at Meigetsu-in Temple are known as Meigetsu-in Blue.

As you approach the entrance of Meigetsu-in Temple, the sight of the impressive hydrangeas immediately catches your eye. The temple opens at 9:00 AM, and during June, it can get quite crowded, so it’s recommended to visit either early in the day or just before closing for a more peaceful experience.

Within the temple grounds, countless hydrangeas bloom in vibrant shades of blue, creating a stunning spectacle. The scenery dyed in “Meigetsu-in Blue” is truly breathtaking. It’s the season when the stone pathway made of Kamakura stone becomes especially lively and beautiful.

One of the temple’s charms is its tasteful and photogenic settings, which make you want to capture the beauty in a picture.

Meigetsu-in Temple is also known for its charming and photogenic details, such as the “Flower-Loving Jizo” holding seasonal flowers and the circular window known as the “Window of Enlightenment” in the main hall. These elements create perfect moments that will make you want to snap a picture.

Not only the hydrangeas but also the intricate details of the temple are worth appreciating. Take your time walking through the temple grounds, and you may discover even more delightful sights.

At Meigetsu-in Temple, you can also receive the goshuin (temple seal) of Seikanzeon Bosatsu (the main deity of the temple) for 300yen. The temple office, located next to the main hall, also offers other goshuin, charms, and ema (wooden prayer plaques).

Meigetsu-in Temple is also a popular Kamakura sightseeing spot where you can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of a bamboo grove.

Right near the exit of Meigetsu-in Temple, you’ll find a peaceful bamboo grove. After experiencing the excitement of the temple’s stunning scenery, it’s a perfect place to calm your mind and soak in the serene and mystical beauty of the bamboo forest.

Adress	189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062, Japan
Call	0467-24-3437
Admission fee	Adult：500yen Child：200yen
Open hour	9:00～18:00
Web	https://www.trip-kamakura.com/place/japanheritage/230.html

Enjoy lunch at Kita Kamakura Yukari

For lunch, head to Kita Kamakura Yukari, a restaurant specializing in beef stew French cuisine. It’s located along the street heading from Meigetsu-in Temple to Kitakamakura Station.

As you pass through the understated gate and enter the restaurant, you’ll be in awe of the elegant space that blends Japanese and Western styles.

The restaurant is run by Hidetaka Nakajima, the owner-chef of Restaurant Michel Nakajima, one of Kamakura’s renowned French restaurants. Here, you can enjoy exquisite French cuisine made with seasonal local ingredients, offering a truly memorable dining experience.

A variety of beautifully presented dishes that are a delight to the eyes as well as the taste buds.

On this day, I selected the lunch set priced at 4,500 yen (tax included), which includes both a salad and a soup. Alternatively, there’s a set with either a salad or soup for 3,500 yen (tax included).

The “Kamakura, Miura direct delivery 20-item colorful vegetable salad” was a delightful dish featuring 20 types of fresh local vegetables. You can enjoy the vibrant, colorful varieties of Kamakura vegetables, many of which are delicious when eaten raw. For example, carrots come in orange, yellow, white, and burgundy colors. It’s a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds, allowing you to savor the flavors of Kamakura.

The soup of the day was “Shirasu and white asparagus soup.” Shirasu (tiny white fish) is a famous local specialty of Shonan, and it was a pleasant surprise to experience it combined with the rich taste of white asparagus in the soup.

The homemade rye bread is made using a traditional method with low-temperature fermentation and is freshly baked just before opening every morning. The chewy and elastic texture of the bread left a strong impression.

The main meat dish, prepared with great care and attention.

The main dish was the signature menu item, “Braised Japanese Beef Cheeks in Velvet Sauce (Red Wine Braised).” The meat was so tender that the knife easily slid through, and the moment it touched my tongue, I could feel the rich, flavorful umami that lingered with every bite. It was an exquisite, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

When the velvety, strained braising sauce is poured over the meat, it enhances the flavor even further, creating an irresistible burst of deliciousness. With every bite, you can truly appreciate the time and effort that went into making this dish, making it all the more delightful and satisfying. It’s a dish that leaves you in awe with its depth of flavor.

The meltingly smooth texture of the pudding is absolutely delicious.

To finish off the meal, I ordered the shop’s specialty, the “Yukari Pudding” for 600 yen (tax included). This rich and decadent pudding is made with Sagamikko, a local brand of free-range eggs from Kanagawa, and a generous amount of fresh cream. Its melt-in-your-mouth texture is so smooth, it feels almost like a drink. The slightly bitter caramel sauce adds a perfect touch, enhancing the aftertaste.

Kita Kamakura Yukari is a renowned restaurant that shines with its unique attention to detail and craftsmanship in every aspect. In June, around 50 hydrangeas, including Gaku-Ajisai, Yama-Ajisai, and Tama-Ajisai, bloom on the property, adding even more beauty to the surroundings.

Adress	18 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa, 247-0062, Japan
Call	0467-67-6159
Open hour	10:30～21:00
Web	https://kitakamakurayukari.com/

At Windera Cafe along the Shichirigahama coast, you can experience something truly unique—drinking Mt. Fuji!

After enjoying a tour of the hydrangeas and a satisfying lunch, head to Shichirigahama, one of Kamakura’s iconic coastal areas. From Kita Kamakura Station, take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station, then transfer to the Enoden Line. After about 30 minutes, you’ll arrive at Shichirigahama Station.

The small and charming Enoden trains are a beloved symbol of Kamakura. With 6 different types of trains, ranging from modern to retro designs, it’s always a fun surprise to see which one you’ll get to ride. The train’s route, which passes right next to private homes, offers a unique and scenic experience!

Reference: “Enoden”

Enjoy a relaxing coffee time while gazing at the ocean.

Once you arrive at Shichirigahama, you can relax on the beach and enjoy the sand, but if you want to enjoy a coffee while admiring the ocean, head to Windera Cafe!

Located about a 4-minute walk from Shichirigahama Station, Windera Cafe offers a unique “surf & turf” menu, featuring fresh seafood from the Shonan area and uncured aged meat sourced from a local Kamakura specialty butcher. The café also boasts a vibrant selection of colorful drinks that perfectly complement the seaside setting of Shonan’s beautiful coast.

Mt. Fuji-shaped cream soda.

The “Fujiyama“ cream soda (1,000 yen, tax included) is a cute, Mt. Fuji-shaped design. The refreshing soda is perfectly balanced with the rich creaminess of ice cream and whipped cream, creating a smooth and satisfying drink that quenches your thirst in the best way.

After 4:00 PM, you can also try the “Fujiyama Sunset“ (1,000 yen, tax included), a vibrant orange drink. It’s the perfect pairing for capturing the sunset shot as the sun sets over the horizon.

In addition to these, Windera Cafe offers a variety of colorful and delicious drinks. With their vivid colors and sweet flavors, these drinks provide the perfect refreshing break, especially after a long walk along the beach!

Adress	1-4-11 Shichirigahama, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Triangle Shichirigahama 1F-A, Japan
Call	050-5571-2594
Open hour	11:00～15:00 15:00～21:00
Web	https://windera.jp/cafe/

At Choya, you can dive deep into the unique Japanese food culture centered around ume.

Ume (plums) are an essential part of Japanese cuisine. In many households, people make homemade umeboshi and umeshu as part of the ume-shigoto (plum work), typically done during the harvest season in June. However, in Kamakura, there is a place where you can experience ume all year round.

Located just a 1-minute walk from the west exit of Kamakura Station, Choya is an experiential store with the concept of “100 ways to enjoy ume, starting from just one plum.” At Choya, you can create your own ume syrup or plum wine by mixing ume, sugar, and alcohol to suit your personal taste, providing a unique and hands-on experience with this iconic Japanese fruit.

At Choya, you can enjoy a perfect souvenir-making experience by crafting your own ume wine.

The Choya Kamakura store, renovated from a traditional Japanese house, offers a refreshing and serene atmosphere. Upon entering through the clean white gate, you’ll find a space decorated mainly in white, creating a calm and inviting environment.

On the wall at the far end, you’ll see rows of ume syrup bottles, displayed in a way that allows you to observe the daily changes in the syrup after it’s made.

The ume experience requires prior reservation through their dedicated website. The experiences are available in one-hour sessions, with weekdays starting from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and weekends and holidays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

For visits not related to the experience, no reservation is required. You can enjoy takeout drinks, as well as purchase ume syrup, plum wine kits, and ume wine.

Reference: “Choya”

Even without a reservation, you can purchase umeshu making kits.

On this day, I purchased the Choya Umeshu Kit, which was available for purchase without a reservation.

First, you select the bottle size from three options: S, M, or L. Then, you choose from five types of ume, 5 types of sugar, and four types of alcohol to create a custom blend according to your preferences. This allows you to craft your own unique umeshu, making it a personalized and enjoyable experience.

It’s also highly recommended to enjoy your Choya Umeshu Kit back at your hotel.

For your plum wine experience, you chose the ripe “Nanko” plums with a peach-like fruity flavor, the cute “Konpeito” sugar, and the “White Rum” with a vanilla-like taste. You also opted for the L size, which is perfect for indulging a bit more!

The process is very simple: just layer the plums and sugar in the jar, then pour in the alcohol last. The kit ensures that the plums can breathe by not closing the cap tightly. If you’re traveling, you can purchase a “spill-proof cap” for 440 yen to avoid any accidents, and sealing it further with masking tape will make it extra secure.

Making it in your hotel room is a fun and easy way to enjoy this experience, and it’s a great way to savor the flavors of Kamakura after your trip!

Enjoy a Kamakura Trip with Plum Drinks

If you visit Choya, it’s highly recommended to order a takeout drink. Both the “Soda Split” and “Green Tea Split” are priced at 550 yen (tax included) and offer a distinct flavor of the ripe Nanko plum.

The beautiful plum floating in the drink is thick and juicy. You can enjoy a change in flavor as you crush the plum. The quality of these drinks is so high, it will completely change your perception of plums.

Adress	1-6-13 Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 248-0006, Japan.
Open hour	Monday-Friday 10:00～18:00 Saturday-Sunday 10:00～19:00
Web	https://choyaume.jp/

Enjoy an authentic Japanese meal at “Oryori Tomiyama”

The last stop of the day on your Kamakura tour is “Oryori Tomiyama“. This authentic Japanese restaurant offers a carefully curated selection of ingredients sourced from the Miura and Sazima regions, as well as other nearby areas in the Kanto region. The dishes are prepared with meticulous attention to detail, allowing you to experience the true flavors of seasonal ingredients.

Located on the second floor of a building, the restaurant provides a serene and tranquil atmosphere, quite different from the bustling Komachi Street below. In a city where many establishments close early, Oryori Tomiyama stands out by staying open until 10:00 PM, making it a rare find for those seeking a late-night meal in Kamakura.

Enjoy refined Japanese cuisine in a tranquil and traditional setting at Oryori Tomiyama.

One of the popular menu items at Oryori Tomiyama is the Negitoro Kamaage Shirasu Don (1,680 yen, tax included), a classic dish from the Shonan region that offers a unique twist. The delicate combination of shirasu (whitebait), negitoro (minced tuna with green onions), and aosa (seaweed) creates a harmonious and flavorful balance that keeps you coming back for more.

Another standout dish is the Neba Neba Akamoku Natto (680 yen, tax included), which features the perfect blend of saltiness and sticky texture. Its subtle, umami-rich flavor pairs wonderfully with sake, making it an irresistible choice for those looking to enjoy a refreshing and unique taste.

To savor the lingering aftertaste of your Kamakura sightseeing, enjoy a drink paired with jidori at Oryori Tomiyama.

The “Teriyaki Jidori Chicken” (¥1,400 including tax) is a popular dish among international visitors. The perfectly seasoned skin and juicy meat create a harmonious balance, allowing you to savor the full flavor of the chicken. Its deliciousness is so striking that you’ll find yourself unexpectedly impressed.

For a toast, I highly recommend “Kamakura Beer” (¥950 including tax). This craft beer is brewed at a local brewery in Kamakura. It has a well-balanced aftertaste, harmonizing sweetness, umami, and bitterness. It’s the perfect drink to enjoy while soaking in the afterglow of your Kamakura journey.

Adress	2-10-18 Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa, 2nd Floor, Ni-no-Torii Building, Japan
Call	0467-37-9050
Open hour	11:00～14:30 18:00～22:00
Web	https://www.tomiyama-kamakura-komachi.com/

Starting your holiday journey from Hotel Metropolitan Kawasaki.

June in Kamakura is a wonderful time to visit, with many recommended attractions to explore. The season when hydrangeas bloom adds a unique charm to Kamakura, offering a different, beautiful side of the city.

From Hotel Metropolitan Kawasaki, located near Kawasaki Station, it takes around 30 to 40 minutes by train to Kamakura Station. The hotel provides a refined atmosphere and a delicious breakfast buffet, so you can start your day with a satisfying meal before heading out for your sightseeing adventure.

With its convenient location for sightseeing, Hotel Metropolitan Kawasaki serves as the perfect base for a memorable trip to Kamakura. Enjoy your time exploring the stunning sights and creating lasting memories in this beautiful coastal city.