Hase Station: Old Shops on the Walk to the Great Buddha

2026年8月9日 2026年8月16日

Getting off at Enoden's Hase Station and walking to Hase-dera or Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha) is one of the small pleasures of a Kamakura walk in itself. I stopped along the shopping street on the way — a stretch lined with a dry goods shop dating to the Meiji era, an old ryokan, general stores, and cafes. The order below follows the walk from Hase Station toward Kotoku-in.

Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha)

Hase-dera

Hase Station

The Enoden gliding into the platform. This is the starting point for a walk to Hase-dera and Kotoku-in.

Hase Station (station no. EN12) is on the Enoshima Electric Railway line, four stops and about 7 minutes from Kamakura Station by Enoden. Exit the ticket gate and walk away from the tracks, and you'll reach Hase-dera in about 4–5 minutes, or Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha) in about 7 minutes.

Owl Otter Cafe (Owl & Otter House)

Its compact, greenery-tucked entrance is the landmark to look for.

The closest shop to Hase Station is this animal cafe, where you can interact with owls and otters. Check the official site for menu details and interaction hours (available in English).

Haseno-shima

About a 30-second walk from Hase Station, "Haseno-shima" is a small complex styled after a remote Okinawan island. It brings together a pet-friendly cottage ("Haseno-shima Hotel Cottage"), the hearty "Hase Kara Shokudo," "Shimin Shokudo" for awamori, and a cafe serving Blue Seal ice cream and sata andagi. It's a slightly unexpected spot to run into that tropical mood right outside the station. See the official site (Japanese) for details.

Ishiwatari Genzaburo Shoten

A long-established dry goods shop founded in the early Meiji era, dealing in local Shonan specialty natural hijiki, dried wakame, and carefully selected beans sourced from across Japan. It's a 1–2 minute walk from Hase Station, along the street on the way to Daibutsu-dori. See the official site (Japanese).

Tsunenari

A small shop stocked with traditional crafts from across Japan and handmade goods and accessories by independent artisans. The owner is a carpenter by trade, and the shop's storefront carries a distinctly Japanese touch. About a 2-minute walk from Hase Station. See the official site (Japanese).

Handcrafted pieces lined up in Tsunenari's in-store display.

Ebisuya

A long-established Japanese confectionery shop founded during the Horeki era (1751–1764), with more than 250 years of history. Its signature item is the "Daibutsu Kannon Senbei," crackers shaped after the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in and the Kannon of Hase-dera. It's about a 2-minute walk from Hase Station.

Shugen-ji

A Nichiren-sect temple, said to stand on the former residence of Shijo Yorimoto (Shijo Kingo), a Kamakura-era samurai and devoted follower of Nichiren. Just past the gate stands a stone monument reading "Site of the Shijo Kingo Residence," inscribed, it's said, by Togo Heihachiro, commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War.

Taisenkaku

A long-established ryokan founded in the late Meiji era, with more than 120 years of history. Damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake, the current building, rebuilt around 1927, is designated one of Kamakura City's Important Landscape Buildings. It's said to have been loved by writers too — Takahama Kyoshi held meetings of his Hototogisu haiku group here, and Yosano Akiko made it her regular lodging.

Kamakura Orgel-do (Music Box Hall)

A branch of a music box specialty chain headquartered in Otaru, Hokkaido. It sits along the approach to Hase-dera, and the automaton clock out front is worth a look too. See the official site (Japanese).

Kaikodo

A long-established shop right in front of Hase-dera, dealing in nostalgic souvenirs since before the war.

A long-established souvenir shop right in front of Hase-dera, operating since before the war. It keeps that classic "souvenir shop" feel alive, stocking items with a real sense of nostalgia. See the official site (Japanese).

Hase-dera Is Right Here

Once you spot the "Hase Kannon" bus stop, Hase-dera is right there.

Right across from Kaikodo is the entrance to Hase-dera. From one of Japan's largest Eleven-Headed Kannon statues to a sweeping view over Yuigahama Beach and the Kannon Museum, Hase-dera's highlights get a full article of their own.

TEMPLEHase-dera Temple Guide: Kamakura's Great Kannon, Gardens & Ocean View

A visit to Hase-dera, home to one of Japan's largest Eleven-Headed Kannon statues and a lookout over Yuigahama Beach.

Sankaido Shoten — Kotoku-in Is Right Ahead

Kamakura souvenir shop Sankaido, right in front of Kotoku-in

On the way from Hase-dera to Kotoku-in, "Sankaido Shoten," right by the Great Buddha's gate, is a long-established souvenir shop with more than 100 years of history. It originally operated within the Great Buddha grounds as an antiques and sculpture shop called "Kibutsudo," but after its building collapsed in the Great Kanto Earthquake, it was rebuilt on its current site as "Sankaido." Beyond Kamakura-bori carved lacquerware and general souvenirs, it's also known, a little unusually for the area, for a wide selection of Japanese sword replicas and Western weapon reproductions. See the official site (Japanese). From here, Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha) is right in front of you.

TEMPLEKotoku-in & the Great Buddha of Kamakura: Complete Visitor Guide

An in-depth look at Kotoku-in, home to the Great Buddha of Kamakura and a symbol of the city.

The Face of the Neighborhood

A yukata suits these old streets perfectly.

Kamakura's streets and yukata really do go together. Walking this shopping street from Hase Station, I regularly passed visitors dressed in kimono and yukata on their way to worship.

Hase Station Basics

Station	Hase Station (Enoshima Electric Railway, station no. EN12)
From Kamakura Station	4 stops on the Enoden, about 7 minutes
To Hase-dera	About a 4–5 minute walk
To Kotoku-in (Great Buddha)	About a 7 minute walk
Parking	The prefectural "Yuigahama Underground Parking" (right by the station, 180+ spaces), plus several pay lots within a few minutes' walk
Timetable	Hase Station Timetable

FAQ

Q. How long is the walk from Hase Station to the Great Buddha?

A. Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha) is about a 7-minute walk (roughly 500m) from Hase Station. Exit the ticket gate and walk away from the tracks, following the road.

Q. How long does it take from Hase Station to Kamakura Station?

A. 4 stops on the Enoden, about 7 minutes. On foot it's roughly 1.9km, so taking the train is the better option.

Q. How long is the walk from Kamakura Station to Hase Station?

A. At about 1.9km, walking takes roughly 25–30 minutes. It's sometimes suggested as a route past Onari-dori and other streets, but if you're short on time, the Enoden is the better choice.

Q. What sights are near Hase Station?

A. Within walking distance are Hase-dera, known for one of Japan's largest Eleven-Headed Kannon statues, Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha), a symbol of Kamakura, Goryo Shrine, famous for photos combining the Enoden with its torii gate, and the long-established sweets shop Chikaramochiya.

Q. Can you get lunch near Hase Station?

A. Yes — options include the eateries inside "Haseno-shima" right by the station, and Owl Otter Cafe, where you can also interact with owls and otters.

Q. Is there parking near Hase Station?

A. The prefectural "Yuigahama Underground Parking," with room for 180+ cars, sits along Route 134 right by the station. Several pay lots are also within a few minutes' walk, though they fill up during peak season — the train is a good alternative.

Summary

The walk from Hase Station to Hase-dera and Kotoku-in passes a shopping street lined with a Meiji-era dry goods shop, a historic ryokan, general stores, and cafes — fun just to walk through. Beyond visiting Hase-dera and Kotoku-in themselves, take the time to enjoy some snacking and shop-browsing along the way.

KAMAKURA GUIDEKamakura & Enoshima Walking Guide: Temples, Stations & Food

Articles from walking and photographing the Kamakura and Enoshima area myself, grouped by theme — temple visits like Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Hase-dera, Enoden station highlights, one-day passes and train cars, and shopping streets and food. Use it as a reference for planning your own Kamakura walk.

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