Kamakura has a retro feel to it and is popular for its many shrines and temples. These are easily accessible and present a great opportunity for getting a feel of the history and culture of this old city.

Let’s begin with Hasedera Temple that has a history of more than 1,300 years. In the spring, the cherry blossoms are beautiful and in the fall there are many seasonal plants visitors flock to see.

The hydrangea are especially famous, their blue and purple blossoms beautiful.

After you have visited some temples and shrines, head over to the Kamakura Komachi Dori near Kamakura Station and check out the food and shopping. The first place I recommend that you visit is the Momiji Tea House on Kamakura Onari Dori.

The sweets here are made with matcha from Morihan, a long-established tea shop in Kyoto, and are rich in flavor. Photos of all these delicious sweets will be a great souvenir of your visit here.

Enoshima is a seaside town. Let's look at some of the points of interest while enjoying the refreshing breeze off the ocean!

If you arrive in the morning, stop by the Eggs ‘n Things Shonan Enoshima shop and enjoy a delicious breakfast. The pancakes topped with strawberries, whipped cream, and Macadamia nuts are very popular.

Enjoy this scrumptious meal while taking in the view of Enoshima and Sagami Bay and immersing yourself in the resort-like atmosphere. If you want to get a seat on the terrace you’d better line up quickly!

The Enoshima Line, nicknamed Enoden, that runs between Kamakura and Enoshima is the best way to get around Enoshima. The Kamakura Koko-mae Station is an especially popular photo spot with sightseers.

This is a spot familiar to fans of the animated version of the popular manga SLAM DUNK and from here you can get a photo of the Enoden coming down the hill with the sea in the background, a spot often visited by overseas fans.

The lure of Miura is its dynamic natural environment that stands in contrast to the calm ocean setting of Enoshima.

It takes about 30 minutes by bus from the Keikyu Line Misakiguchi Station. You will arrive at Jogashima Park located on the southernmost tip of the Miura peninsula. The scenery here has been awarded two stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japan and the walk above the cliff near the lighthouse offers spectacular views. If the weather is fine you might be able to see Mt. Fuji!

If you visit Miura, you can’t leave without eating tuna for which the port is famous. One place where you can do that is at the Gurumekan Hogyo which you can reach by bus on your way back to Misakiguchi Station.

I recommend the Misaki-ko Zen, a tray set that includes tuna sushi and tempura. The tuna is fresh from the port of Miura and very delicious.

Yokosuka has a large US Naval base and an international atmosphere. Here you will find places that have a distinctly Yokosuka flavor to them, be it architecture or food.

Our first photo spot in Yokosuka is Verny Park located about a one-minute walk from Yokosuka Station. It is a beautiful French-style garden with fountains and flower beds containing about 1,400 roses. On the opposite shore of the park, you can see the site where the Yokosuka Iron Works once stood, the construction of which the French engineer Verny contributed.

Many of the gourmet items to be found in Yokosuka have an American influence, such as the Navy Curry and Navy Burger that has large buns.

More recently the Yokosuka Navy Curry Buns have been especially popular. These took first place in a local bread festival for their crisp exteriors and chewy centers that are so delicious they become addictive. Why not get a couple to eat while strolling around the area?