Many people are not happy to hear weather forecast saying that it is going to be rainy, especially when you are on vacation. In mainland Japan, June is the time of monsoon and it rains a lot, with a very high humidity. It is neither too hot nor too cold, however, for some people it actually can be a very uncomfortable experience.
But don’t worry! Japan is a country with four seasons, and each season has its own beauty. Kamakura, an old capital of Samurai, is definitely the most popular to travel to during this time because of their hydrangeas! This light purple flower is all blooming during this time, and the rain moists old temples, which makes them look more attractive.
By reading this article, you will know how you can enjoy old city Kamakura with Halal gourmet. Even though you are not visiting during the time of hydrangea, you can know where you should go in Kamakura.
Kamakura has been one of the best places to visit during the time of hydrangea. There are numerous temples that have hydrangeas, but do you know the reason why? This is because the city of Kamakura is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The soil is also brittle and easily collapsible, so that hydrangea was planted to prevent the outflow of sediment by firmly laying roots on the ground.
There is also a secret of their purple color. The color of hydrangea is determined by the PH of the soil, how acidic the soil is. The soil of Kamakura is acidic, which makes their colors vivid purple. If you are visiting the place whose soil is alkalic, then you will see pink hydrangeas.
Hydrangeas in Kamakura start blooming from end of May until June.
Photo taken in Kamakura city.
Do we have to enter the temples to enjoy hydrangeas?
Some of you may wonder if you have to go inside the temple, which can be considered as a religious action. Unfortunately, most of the temples will require entrance fee and to get inside.
Hasedera (長谷寺), the most famous hydrangea temple, you have to enter the temple and pay the entrance fee of 400 yen, then you can directly head to the hydrangea path without visiting the temples or statues.
Meigetsuin (明月院), another hydrangea temple, is almost the same. After paying 500 yen for the entrance, the path from the main gate to the mountain gate called Sando (参道) has 2500 blue hydrangeas.
If you do not want to visit any temples, then go to Kamakura Chuo Park (鎌倉中央公園), which is located in the city center.
Address: 1667 Yamasaki, Kamakura, Kanagawa 神奈川県鎌倉市山崎1667 Opening hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m., 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. in July and August Entrance fee: Free
What’s available around Kamakura for Muslim travelers?
As Kamakura is a city of temple, there are so many Japanese-style cafes, which can be Muslim-friendly.
Saryo Kazahana (茶寮風花)
Located right in front of Meigetsuin, Kazahana offers sweets and Matcha green tea. The cafe has opened in the year of Rabbit, so that their Manju is a shape of adorable rabbit! Unlike normal Manju, inside is a chestnut filling.
Credit: https://www.trip-kamakura.com/
Name: Saryo Kazahana (茶寮風花) Address: 291 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 神奈川県鎌倉市山ノ内291 Tel: 0467-25-5112 Opening hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Last order at 5:00 p.m.
Kyukoan (休耕庵)
Don’t have enough time to visit bamboo forest in Kyoto? Then go to Hokokuji temple (報国寺), where there is a beautiful bamboo forest. Kyukoan is a cafe next to the bamboo forest, so you can enjoy their beautiful green bamboo with a cup of Matcha and Rakugan, Japanese traditional sweet made from sugar and soybean powder, in a tranquil ambiance.
Credit: https://kamakura.press
Name: Kyukoan (休耕庵), inside Hokokuji temple Address: 4-7-2 Jomyoji, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0003 神奈川県鎌倉市浄明寺2-7-4 Tel: 0467-22-0762 Opening hours: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. *When entering the Hokokuji temple, complete the payment for cafe as the cafe cannot accept payment.
What are the Muslim-friendly souvenirs？
The most famous souvenir from Kamakura is definitely Hato Sable! There are more souvenirs that you have to try.
Kamakura Beniya (鎌倉紅屋)
A famous sweet shop from Kamakura with a design of squirrel. The most famous souvenir is Kurumikko (クルミっこ), a walnut sweet. However, this sweet is manufactured in the machinery that handles Gelatin. Instead, we will recommend you this cute biscuit called Kamakura Dayori (鎌倉だより)! There is no haram ingredients or contamination with animal-derived ingredients according to their website. Interestingthing is that they do not use egg, which is a very usual ingredient for biscuits.
Ingredients
Flour, Sugar, Butter, Honey, Baking powder + red bean or matcha powder
Price
594 yen for 6 ~
Expiry
about 30 days
Credit: https://www.kamakurabeniya.com/
Name: Kamakura Beniya Main shop at Hachimangu Address: 4-12-1 Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0005 神奈川県鎌倉市雪ノ下1-12-4 Tel: 0467-22-3492 Opening hours: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and Holidays : 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Kamakura Itoko (鎌倉いとこ)
Traditional Japanese sweet shop. Kintsuba (きんつば) is made from solidified sweet paste filling, coated with flour. What is interesting is that they are using pumpkin sweet filling instead of usual red bean paste! There are also chocolate, sweet potato or black sesame filing. As they are made from very simple ingredients, you do not have to worry about if its halal or not.
Ingredients
Pumpkin from Hokkaido, Red bean, sugar, agar, flour
Price
2,550 yen for 10
Expiry
a week
Credit: https://www.kamakura-itoko.com
Enjoy your day in Kamakura!
There are so many attractive sites in Kamakura. If you are lucky to visit during the time of hydrangea, make sure to have enough time to queue, as so many tourists will be heading to Kamakura.
The city is also very close to the beach, so it is also a great idea to just walk and sit in a cafe, or to enjoy fresh seafood. We hope you can enjoy your day in Kamakura.
