One Day in Kamakura: Hidden Food Spots and Enoden & Must-Visit Temples

One Day Trip to Kamakura: Bamboo Forest, Enoden Views, and the Best Sushi

Kamakura is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Tokyo, known for its temples, bamboo groves, and the famous Enoden train running along the coast. On my last trip, I only had time for Komachi-dori Street and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine after spending most of the day in Enoshima. 

💬Tip: Usually, people plan a one-day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura and Enoshima together, since both can be covered with an Enoden one-day pass. However, visiting both places thoroughly is not easy time-wise - If you want to tour Enoshima thoroughly, you should plan to spend at least 3 hours there.

The place with the lighthouse in the background is Enoshima, and "shima" in Japanese means "Island".

This time, I decided to explore Kamakura in greater depth, visiting Hokokuji Bamboo Temple, Jomyoji, Engakuji, Genchoji, and Meigetsuin (famous for hydrangeas in June). Here’s how my day unfolded.

Lunch at Yoridokoro: Mackerel and the Enoden View

Yoridokoro, located near Inamuragasaki Station, is famous for serving grilled fish while you watch the Enoden train passing right outside the window.

We arrived at 11:15 am and wrote our names on the waiting list. The staff told us to return around noon. Luckily, Kamakura Beach Park was nearby, so we spent the waiting time enjoying the view of the sea.

When we came back, we ordered the signature Mackerel and the special Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch). Both dishes came with the same side dishes. The mackerel was clean-tasting and less oily, while Nodoguro was richer but not necessarily better for the higher price.

Removing the fish bones took us some time, and making the meringue topping required effort (my husband actually did most of it! Thanks 😁).

The highlight of Yoridokoro is definitely the view of Enoden trains passing in front of the restaurant. While the atmosphere was enjoyable, I personally don’t think it’s a must-visit destination for food alone, since many other home-style restaurants in Japan offer better meals.

👉Tip: You can find the instructions for making meringue at each table. From our experience, stirring on only one side with one hand takes longer and is more difficult. Instead, it’s better to rub the whipped mixture strongly and quickly between both palms.

Except for the type of fish, the rest of the menu is the same. The one at the bottom is Nodoguro, and the one at the top is Mackerel. It includes grilled mackerel as the main fish, a bowl of rice, miso soup, small pickled vegetables (daikon, cucumber), a fresh salad, and some side dishes.

Yoridokoro Visiting Tips

• Window Seats: I saw someone get a window seat by asking on the spot, but it really depends on the situation. To be safe, it’s best to book in advance.

• Opening Hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (Closed on Tuesdays).

• You can browse this place while waiting [Google Maps Link]

From Kamakura Station, take Bus #23, #24, or #36 from Bus Stop 4 and get off at Jomyoji stop.

Hokokuji is a small temple, so 10–15 minutes is enough to walk around. Despite the size, it’s beautifully maintained and offers a very relaxed, quiet atmosphere.

Compared to Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Hokokuji felt much calmer without large crowds.

The entry fee is 400 yen, or 1,000 yen including matcha green tea. The tea wasn’t anything special, but sipping it while surrounded by bamboo, hearing the sound of flowing water, and enjoying the cool breeze was a healing experience.

We only stayed about 15–20 minutes in the tea area since seats are limited and people were waiting, but we still made good memories, took some nice photos, and found it well worth the visit.

Have the candies with tea. They will take away the bitterness of green tea and leave you feeling refreshed

Jomyoji Temple: A Hidden Quiet Spot

Just a 5-minute walk from Hokokuji, Jomyoji is another peaceful temple.

• The entry fee is only 100 yen

• It’s one of the Kamakura Gozan (Five Great Zen Temples), though smaller and less visited than Engakuji or Kenchoji. 

If you like quiet temples without crowds, this is a great stop.

The Best Sushi in Kamakura: Sushi Yamamoto

For dinner, we were lucky to walk into a small sushi restaurant that usually accepts only pre-booked guests for dinner. It had a cozy local atmosphere with just 3 tables and a bar counter for 6–7 people.

We ordered the 10-piece omakase (chef’s choice) for 8,000 yen per person, plus two drinks. That day, we had Hirame (fluke), Aji (jack mackerel), Hotate (scallop), Sake (salmon), Maguro (tuna), Kanpachi (greater amberjack), Sumi-ika (ink squid), Maguro Otoro (fatty tuna belly), Uni (sea urchin), Ikura, and a roll (salmon roe and negitoro). It was mid to late May, so not all of the fish were in season locally, but every bite was absolutely amazing and left us completely satisfied.


• Each piece of sushi was incredibly fresh and melted in our mouths right away.

• The chef kindly showed us a picture book to explain each type of fish to foreign guests, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

• When the last sushi was served, we honestly felt sad it was over.

• The rice was glossy, perfectly cooked, and just the right size for one full bite.

• Sitting at the bar, we could watch the entire process from start to finish, which made it even more special.

• Both the chef and staff were very kind and welcoming.

• The 10-piece omakase with a drink was quite filling and satisfying. For us (not big eaters), the portion was perfect, though it may vary depending on the person. This was truly the best sushi of our lives. 

If you’re visiting Kamakura, I highly recommend trying omakase at a local sushi spot rather than only sticking to touristy restaurants.

• Opening Hours: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm (Closed on Wednesday)

Hirame (fluke) sushi

Aji (jack mackerel)

Maruro (tuna) sushi

Maguro Otoro (fatty tuna belly) sushi

Hotate (scallop) sushi 

Sake (salmon) sushi 

Kanpachi (greater amberjack) sushi

Sumi-ika (ink squid) sushi

Uni (sea urchin) sushi 

a roll (salmon roe and negitoro)

Best Photo Spots for Enoden Train

Kamakura is famous for its Enoden railway, and there are several great places to take photos of the train

Near Yoridokoro Restaurant:

Enoden passes right in front of the windows, and the rail is very close outside the restaurant. A great photo spot.

Kamakura Kokomae Station:

One of the most iconic spots is also featured in a famous basketball anime, Slam Dunk. The beach view behind the railway is stunning, though it’s always crowded.

Beach view from the Enoden near Kamakura Kokomae

In front of Goryo Shrine :

A unique location with train tracks and the only tunnel on the Enoden line nearby.

Between Hase and Gokurakuji Stations:

 A quiet residential area where you can capture Enoden passing through narrow streets.

I took the Enoden trail while walking from Hase Station to Kokurakuji Station.

Tips for Planning Your Kamakura Trip

Stay Overnight if Possible: Kamakura has many attractions spread out, so travelling between temples takes time. Staying one night will allow you to enjoy the area more leisurely.

Seasonal Highlights:

• June → Meigetsuin Temple (Hydrangea Temple) is stunning during blooming season.

• Autumn → Great for fall foliage at Engakuji and Kenchoji.

Transportation: Use Enoden passes or bus day passes if you plan to move around a lot.

Final Thoughts

This Kamakura trip was a mix of relaxing bamboo forests, local food experiences, and iconic Enoden views. Compared to Tokyo or Kyoto, Kamakura offers a slower pace, beautiful nature, and a strong traditional atmosphere.

Next time, I’ll definitely stay at least one night to explore more hidden spots and seasonal highlights. If you’re planning a Japan itinerary, make sure to allocate enough time for Kamakura – it’s much more than just a quick day trip.

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.