I knew I’d like Kamakura the moment we arrived. We were waiting for the local train, so I went to the souvenir shop, where cute food and cuter trinkets were available; this was my kind of place.
Minutes later, I left the shop with potato cakes in hand—a Kamakura specialty—and joined Amma and Perima. We hopped on the local train, the iconic Eden.
My plan for Kamakura was pretty loose: see the Great Buddha, maybe grab some lunch. But the day turned out to be so much more—it turned out to be a hit.
Our first stop was a shrine—not even on my radar—but possibly one of the most beautiful I’ve ever visited. I still don’t know exactly which deity it was for (there are a few in the area), but the compound was vast and peaceful.
From the top level, you can see sweeping views of Kamakura, and with a few yen, you can even spot the torii gate in the distance. Seeing the Byzantium-style building nestled in traditional Japanese surroundings was unexpectedly magical.
Then came lunch. I was a bit nervous—Amma had been extra picky about food on this trip, replying “Let’s see what’s next” to every suggestion I made, and options were limited on that stretch of road. Eventually, we found a humble tempura place she agreed to try. She gave it a lukewarm “okay,” which honestly felt like a win. Phew!
Next up was the Kamakura Daibutsu—the Great Buddha. Amma was much more excited than I was. While she took a thousand photos from every possible angle, I explored the temple complex, picked up a goshuin, lit an incense stick, and bought a few postcards. We only left after she found a couple of souvenirs for Appa—including, for some reason, a nail clipper with the Buddha on it.
Our next mission: ice cream. It was 35°C, and we were united in the belief that ice cream was the answer.
I took Amma to a shop where Obama himself had famously eaten ice cream—because hey, if it’s good enough for Obama, it’s good enough for us. But Amma turned it down—none of the flavours were to her liking. A few shops later, we finally found a much-praised sundae made with farm-fresh milk. Creamy, sweet, a little pricey and totally worth it.
On the way back, I stopped by a little art stall and bought a small painting—presumably by a local artist—as a thank-you gift for Renu, who’d been feeding me mie back home. The owner/artist didn’t speak much English, and I speak no Japanese, but it was a warm little exchange.
Eventually, we made it back to the train station.
On the way, we detoured through Kamakura’s shopping street, snacked on some chewy mochi, and then returned via the same train line.
At the station, I managed to grab some eki stamps, which made Amma raise her eyebrows and ask, “If we collect a certain number, do we get a prize? Like a supermarket voucher?” Hehehe…
For the longest time, I had avoided Kamakura—thinking it was just about the Buddha. Even though it’s so close to Tokyo, I never made the effort. But this time, visiting with Amma, it ended up being one of the highlights of our Japan trip. If you’re ever feeling a bit overstimulated in Tokyo, Kamakura is the perfect mini escape—a breath of fresh air, a sweet pause, a little bit of R&R.
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